Open Settings and go to Control Center

To change what appears in your iPhone's Control Center, start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Scroll down and tap Control Center. You'll see two sections: "Included Controls" (the ones that are already there) and "More Controls" (the ones you can add).

The controls you see depend on your iPhone model and iOS version, but the process is the same across all recent iPhones. Control Center is the panel that slides up from the bottom of your screen when you swipe up from the bottom edge (or swipe down from the top-right corner on newer models without a home button).

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Control Center, and you'll see two lists: controls already included and controls available to add.
  • Drag the three-line icon next to any control in "Included Controls" to reorder them, or tap the minus button to remove it.
  • Tap the plus button next to any control in "More Controls" to add it to your Control Center.
  • Changes take effect when ready — swipe up to see your updated Control Center right away.
  • Some controls like Airplane Mode and Bluetooth cannot be removed, but you can rearrange them.

Add controls from the More Controls list

In the "More Controls" section, you'll see options like Flashlight, Timer, Calculator, Screen Recording, and others depending on your phone and installed apps. To add any of these, tap the green plus button to the left of the control name. It will when ready move to your "Included Controls" list at the bottom.

You can add as many controls as you want. There's no limit, though controls that don't fit on your screen will require scrolling within Control Center itself. If you add too many, you may need to scroll down inside Control Center to reach the ones at the bottom.

Remove controls you don't use

In the "Included Controls" section, find any control you want to remove and tap the red minus button to its left. A confirmation message will appear — tap Remove to confirm. The control will move back to the "More Controls" list so you can add it again later if you change your mind.

Some controls cannot be removed, including Airplane Mode, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular. These are locked by Apple and will always stay in your Control Center, though you can still move them to a different position.

Reorder your controls by dragging

The order of your controls matters because the ones at the top appear first when you open Control Center. To change the order, tap and hold the three-line icon (called a "grab handle") to the right of any control in your "Included Controls" list, then drag it up or down to a new position.

Rearrange frequently used controls toward the top so they're easier to reach. For example, if you use Screen Recording often, drag it higher in the list. The changes take effect when ready — close Settings and open Control Center to see your new layout.

Add controls from third-party apps

Some apps you read from the App Store can add their own controls to Control Center. For example, a smart home app might add a control to turn lights on and off, or a note-taking app might add a quick-note button. These appear in the "More Controls" list once the app is installed.

To use a third-party control, open the app first and look for settings that mention Control Center or widgets. Not all apps offer this feature. Once you've enabled it in the app's settings, return to Settings > Control Center and tap the plus button to add it, just like the built-in controls.

Troubleshoot controls that won't appear

If you're looking for a control that should be there but isn't, first check that you're running the latest iOS version. Open Settings > General > Software Update to see if an update is available. Some controls only appear on certain iPhone models — for example, Screen Recording requires iPhone 11 or later.

If a third-party app control isn't showing up, open the app itself and check its settings for a Control Center or widget option. You may need to turn it on within the app before it appears in Settings. If you've just installed the app, try closing and reopening the Settings app to refresh the list.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different Control Centers on different home screens?

No. Your Control Center is the same no matter which home screen you're on or what app you're using. The controls you set up in Settings explore everywhere on your phone. However, some apps can add their own quick-action menus that work similarly to Control Center.

Why can't I remove Airplane Mode or Bluetooth?

Apple locks certain essential controls so you can't accidentally remove them. Airplane Mode, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and Cellular are always available because they're critical for phone function. You can rearrange them, but not delete them.

What happens if I add too many controls?

Control Center will scroll vertically to show all your controls. Swipe up within Control Center to see controls that don't fit on the initial screen. There's no penalty for adding many controls — organize them by how often you use each one.

Do I need to restart my phone after changing Control Center?

No. Changes take effect when ready. Close the Settings app and swipe up to see your updated Control Center right away. You don't need to restart your phone or do anything else.

Can I customize Control Center differently for different users?

If your iPhone has multiple user accounts set up through Screen Time or Family Sharing, each account can have its own Control Center settings. Each person logs in with their own Apple ID, and their Control Center customizations are saved separately.