How to Fix ‘iPhone Home Button Stops Working’ Issue – Guide
The home button on pre-iPhone X devices is a useful feature, allowing users to quickly and easily access the home screen, close apps, and use Apple Pay. However, newer iPhones no longer have this button, making them more expensive. For those with an older device that still works perfectly, the update is unnecessary. If your iPhone’s home button stops working after a reboot or something else goes wrong, there are solutions available.
This guide provides solutions to the home button issue on any iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch model. Whether you have an iPhone 6 or 8, these tips can help you get your home button working again.
Add an AssistiveTouch Home Button to the screen
Apple’s AssistiveTouch feature offers a solution for those with physical disabilities who can’t use their iPhone’s Home button. The accessibility feature allows users to continue using their device despite any issues with the button.
You can add a virtual Home button to your iPhone screen with AssistiveTouch, even if the physical Home button is malfunctioning. To do so, simply enable AssistiveTouch in the settings. This will not fix the physical Home button, but will allow you to continue using your iPhone.
To enable AssistiveTouch on iOS devices, go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch and select the AssistiveTouch option. For older versions of iOS, this can be found in Settings > General.
If you’re having trouble navigating your iPhone, try using AssistiveTouch instead of accessing Settings. If that doesn’t work, restart your device to return to the Home screen.
Enable AssistiveTouch to access a pop-up menu with the Home button. After activating the switch, a semi-transparent button will appear on the screen. Tap it to open the menu and select Home to simulate pressing the physical Home button.
Users can customize their iPhone experience by moving the AssistiveTouch button around the screen, or using Siri to turn it on and off as needed.
“Recalibrate” the Home Button
Fixing an unresponsive iPhone Home button can be achieved with a simple trick, known as “recalibrating”. Though there is no official term for this, it has been proven to be an effective solution.
A simple trick may help you fix a malfunctioning Home button on any applicable device. All you need to do is follow the steps outlined, though there is no guarantee of success.
Open up one of the stock apps that came with your device, such as Notes, Calendar, Reminders or Photos.
Press and hold either the top or side button on your iPhone until the “Swipe to power off” prompt appears. If it doesn’t, try holding down the Volume button as well.
Don’t power down your iPhone. Instead, press and hold the Home button for 10 seconds to close the app and make the prompt disappear.
Restore firmware on your iPhone
Restoring your iPhone in DFU mode may be the quickest way to fix a non-functioning home button, even though it’s not a quick process. This is typically due to a software or firmware bug, and can be done for free.
Before you reset your iPhone to its factory settings, make sure you have a recent backup and plan for at least an hour. Restoring your device to DFU mode will erase all data and rewrite the software and firmware, which can take some time.
Follow our guide to reset your iPhone to DFU mode. If that doesn’t work, it’s likely a hardware issue with the home button. Check out the other tips for potential solutions.
clean the Home Button Using isopropyl alcohol
The Home button on iPhones may stop working due to dirt and grime clogging the mechanism over time.
Unfortunately, iPhone 7 and 8 users are out of luck when it comes to cleaning their Home button - as these devices don’t feature a mechanical button. For those with other iPhones, here’s the correct way to clean the Home button:
Clean the Home button with a dry microfiber cloth.
To clean an iPhone, use 98-99% isopropyl alcohol on a cloth. This will evaporate into the air and won’t damage the device.
Rub the Home button with alcohol and click it repeatedly to loosen any dirt.
Use your charger to press against the Home Button
The Home button of iPhones can be fixed by applying pressure near the charging port, likely reconnecting a fragile cable inside.
Caution is key when attempting to clean your iPhone’s charging port. Disconnecting the Lightning or 30-pin connector inside could be difficult to undo, so take care. To try it out, follow these steps:
To charge your iPhone, use the cable that came with it.
Press the back of the iPhone’s connector near the bottom, pushing it toward the Home button.
Maintain regular pressure on the Home button to ensure it functions properly.
Final note
If your iPhone’s home button isn’t working, this guide can help. Have questions? Reach out to us. And don’t forget to share the article with your friends!
