Open Settings and Find Control Center

To change what appears in your iPhone Control Center, start by opening the Settings app on your home screen. Tap the gear icon, then scroll down and tap Control Center. You'll see two sections: "Included Controls" (the ones already in your Control Center) and "More Controls" (features you can add).

The Control Center is the panel that slides up from the bottom of your screen when you swipe up from the bottom edge. By default, it shows things like brightness, volume, and Bluetooth. You can rearrange these controls, remove ones you don't use, and add new ones in just a few taps.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, scroll to Control Center, and you'll see two lists: controls already showing and controls you can add.
  • Tap the red minus sign next to any control in "Included Controls" to remove it from your Control Center.
  • Tap the green plus sign next to any control in "More Controls" to add it to your Control Center.
  • Drag the three horizontal lines next to each control in "Included Controls" to reorder them the way you want.
  • Changes take effect when ready — close Settings and swipe up from the bottom to see your new Control Center layout.

Remove Controls You Don't Use

In the "Included Controls" section, you'll see every control currently in your Control Center. If there's one you never tap — like Screen Recording or Home — you can remove it. Tap the red minus sign (or the circle with a minus inside it) next to the control's name, then tap Remove.

Removing a control doesn't delete it from your phone; it just hides it from the Control Center. You can always add it back later by tapping the green plus sign in the "More Controls" section. This is useful if you want to declutter your Control Center but might need a control occasionally.

Add New Controls from More Controls

The "More Controls" section shows features that exist on your phone but aren't currently in your Control Center. This might include Flashlight, Timer, Stopwatch, Notes, Calculator, or app-specific controls if you've installed certain apps. Tap the green plus sign next to any control you want to add.

Once you tap the plus sign, that control moves to "Included Controls" and appears in your Control Center the next time you swipe up. You can add as many controls as you want — there's no limit. However, if you add too many, you may need to scroll within the Control Center to see them all.

Reorder Controls to Your Preference

The order of controls in your Control Center matters because the ones at the top appear first when you swipe up. To change the order, go to "Included Controls" and look for the three horizontal lines (called a "grab handle") to the right of each control name. Press and hold those lines, then drag the control up or down to where you want it.

Most people put the controls they use most often at the top. For example, if you frequently adjust brightness, drag Brightness to the top of the list. The changes happen when ready, so you can test the new order right away by closing Settings and swiping up.

Add App-Specific Controls

Some apps you read — like Spotify, Home, or third-party smart home apps — offer their own controls for the Control Center. When you install these apps, their controls appear in the "More Controls" section. Tap the green plus sign to add them.

App controls let you do things like play music, control smart lights, or start a timer without opening the full app. If an app you use frequently has a Control Center option, adding it can save you time. Check the "More Controls" section after installing a new app to see what's available.

Troubleshoot Common Issues

If a control isn't showing up in your Control Center after you add it, close Settings completely and swipe up again. Sometimes the display takes a moment to refresh. If it still doesn't appear, try restarting your iPhone: hold the power button until "Slide to Power Off" appears, swipe to turn it off, wait a few seconds, then press the power button again to turn it back on.

If you accidentally remove a control you need, don't worry — it's still in "More Controls" and you can add it back in seconds. There's no way to permanently delete a built-in control from your phone. If a control is grayed out or missing from both sections, it may not be available on your iPhone model or iOS version.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I have different Control Centers on different lock screens?

Yes. On iPhone 15 and newer, you can create custom lock screens with different Control Center layouts. When you set up a lock screen, you can choose which controls appear when you swipe up from that specific lock screen. Older iPhones have one Control Center that works everywhere.

What if I want to hide a control but keep it in my phone?

Tap the red minus sign next to the control in "Included Controls" to remove it from your Control Center. It stays on your phone and appears in "More Controls" so you can add it back anytime. Removing it from the Control Center doesn't uninstall anything.

Can I add controls that aren't in the More Controls list?

No. You can only add controls that appear in "More Controls." If a feature you want isn't there, it may not have a Control Center option, or it might only be available on newer iPhone models. Check the app's settings to see if it offers a Control Center control.

Do my Control Center changes sync across my devices?

No. Each device has its own Control Center settings. If you have an iPad and an iPhone, you'll need to customize the Control Center separately on each one. Changes don't sync through iCloud.

How many controls can I add to my Control Center?

There's no hard limit, but if you add too many, you'll need to scroll within the Control Center to see them all. Most people find 8 to 12 controls is a good balance between having what you need and keeping things organized.