I recently got a new iPhone and I’m trying to figure out how to make the Control Center work better for me. I’ve noticed that Control Center has various toggles and shortcuts, but I’m not sure if I can change what appears there or rearrange things.
Specifically, I’m wondering: How can I customize Control Center? Can I add or remove specific controls? Can I rearrange the order of the icons and buttons? Are there third-party app controls I can add? Also, does the customization process differ between iOS versions, and if I have an iPad as well, is the process the same there? I’d like to know the complete step-by-step process for personalizing Control Center to include only the features and apps I actually use regularly.
How to Customize Control Center
On iPhone (iOS)
Accessing Control Center Settings
- Open the Settings app
- Scroll down and tap Control Center
Adding Controls
- In Control Center settings, scroll to the More Controls section
- Browse the available controls
- Tap the green plus (+) icon next to any control you want to add
- The control will move to the Included Controls section
Removing Controls
- In the Included Controls section
- Tap the red minus (-) icon next to the control you want to remove
- Tap Remove to confirm
Rearranging Controls
- In the Included Controls section
- Touch and hold the three horizontal lines (grabber) next to a control
- Drag the control up or down to your preferred position
- Release to set the new position
Available Controls to Add
- Accessibility Shortcuts
- Alarm
- Apple TV Remote
- Calculator
- Camera
- Code Scanner
- Dark Mode
- Do Not Disturb
- Flashlight
- Guided Access
- Hearing
- Home
- Low Power Mode
- Magnifier
- Music Recognition
- Notes
- QR Code Reader
- Screen Recording
- Stopwatch
- Timer
- Voice Memos
- Wallet
- And many more depending on your iOS version and installed apps
Additional Settings
- Access Within Apps: Toggle to allow Control Center access while using apps
- Access on Lock Screen: Toggle to allow Control Center access from the lock screen
On iPad (iPadOS)
The process is identical to iPhone:
- Settings > Control Center
- Add, remove, or rearrange controls using the same methods
On Mac (macOS)
Accessing Control Center Settings (macOS Monterey and later)
- Click the Apple menu
- Select System Settings (or System Preferences on older versions)
- Click Control Center in the sidebar
Customizing Menu Bar and Control Center Modules
For each module, you can choose:
- Show in Menu Bar: Display the control permanently in the menu bar
- Show in Control Center: Display only when Control Center is opened
- Don’t Show: Hide the control entirely
Available Modules
- Wi-Fi
- Bluetooth
- AirDrop
- Focus
- Screen Mirroring
- Display
- Sound
- Now Playing
- Accessibility Shortcuts
- Battery
- Fast User Switching
- Keyboard Brightness
- Spotlight
- Siri
- Time Machine
- User
- And others
Clock Options
- Show the date: Never, Always, or When space allows
- Display the time with seconds
- Use a 24-hour clock
- Announce the time
Battery Options
- Show Percentage: Display battery percentage in menu bar
On Apple Watch (watchOS)
Control Center on Apple Watch is not customizable in terms of adding or removing controls. The available options are fixed and include:
- Airplane Mode
- Do Not Disturb/Focus
- Theater Mode
- Flashlight
- Battery percentage
- Find iPhone
- Walkie-Talkie status
- Water Lock (on applicable models)
- Cellular signal (on cellular models)
Third-Party App Integration
Many third-party apps can add their own controls to Control Center:
- Install an app that supports Control Center widgets
- Go to Settings > Control Center
- Look for the app’s control in the More Controls list
- Add it using the green plus (+) icon
iOS Control Center Layout on Different iPhone Models
iPhones with Face ID
- Swipe down from the top-right corner to access
- Controls arrange in a grid layout
iPhones with Home Button
- Swipe up from the bottom edge to access
- Similar grid layout for controls
Portrait vs. Landscape
- Control Center adapts to orientation
- Some controls may appear larger or show additional options when held (3D Touch or Haptic Touch)
Using Haptic Touch/3D Touch for Additional Options
Many controls offer additional options when pressed and held:
- Flashlight: Adjust brightness
- Camera: Quick actions (selfie, video, portrait)
- Timer: Quick timer presets
- Calculator: Copy last result
- Music controls: Access full playback interface
- Connectivity controls: Access detailed settings
