Apple’s iOS 18 introduces a significant redesign of the iPhone’s Control Center, the handy menu accessed with a swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen. If you’re upgrading to iOS 18, here’s what’s new and how to make the most of it.
Multi-Page Layout: More Than Meets the Eye
The first noticeable change is the new multi-page format. Instead of a single screen, you’ll now find several pages, each dedicated to different functions:
- Favorites: This page houses the essential controls you use most often.
- Music: Here, you’ll find controls for your current audio playback, volume adjustments, and AirPlay options.
- Home: If you have smart home devices, you can control them directly from this page.
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Airplane Mode, and other connectivity options are neatly organized here.
You can easily swipe left or right to switch between these pages, with a small indicator at the bottom showing which page you’re currently viewing.
Customization: Tailored to Your Needs
iOS 18’s Control Center puts you firmly in the driver’s seat when it comes to customization. To get started, simply tap and hold on any empty space in the Control Center, and you’ll enter edit mode.
From here, you can:
- Add Controls: A new “+” icon in the top-left corner lets you browse a library of additional controls to add to any of your Control Center pages.
- Remove Controls: Unwanted controls can be removed by tapping the minus (“-“) icon that appears in the corner of each control in edit mode.
- Rearrange Controls: Simply drag and drop controls to move them around and create your ideal layout.
- Resize Controls: Some controls (like the flashlight or screen brightness) can be resized by dragging a corner handle to make them larger or smaller.
New Power Options
A dedicated power icon has been added to the Control Center, accessible from any page. Tapping this icon brings up a simple “slide to power off” option, eliminating the need to go into the Settings app to shut down your phone.
Additional Tips
- Haptic Touch: Many of the Control Center icons now offer additional options when you press and hold them using Haptic Touch. For example, holding the flashlight icon lets you adjust the brightness.
- Focus Modes: You can create different Control Center layouts for different Focus modes, tailoring your controls to specific activities like work or sleep.
If you’re ready to try the new Control Center, make sure you’ve updated your iPhone to iOS 18. From there, experiment with the customization options to create a Control Center that perfectly suits your daily routine and preferences.
