Is your iPhone Home button not working? From software glitches to wear and tear, your iPhone Home button may stop working due to a number of reasons.
Whatever the cause, it’s important to focus on getting it fixed. So, we’ve put together this list of some working solutions to help you fix your malfunctioning iPhone Home button.
- Clean the Home button with isopropyl alcohol wipes
- Update your iPhone to the latest version
- Calibrate the Home button
- Adjust Home button Click Speed
- Restore your iPhone
- Enable Assistive Touch
- Get your Home button repaired
- Fix it yourself with Self Service Repair
If you don’t remember when you last cleaned your Home button, or haven’t cleaned it ever, try this first to fix the issue. Wipe it using a clean, dry microfiber cloth. If it doesn’t help, dampen the cloth in isopropyl alcohol (70%), then try wiping the button clean again.
Lastly, put a drop of alcohol onto the button and rub it in while pressing down on the Home button occasionally. This may work to release the dirt inside.
If your iPhone Home button still isn’t working, try another option on this list.
2. Update your iPhone to the latest version
It’s possible to fix an iPhone Home button that’s not working by updating to the latest iOS version available. Apple provides updates to boost iPhone performance and introduce new features, but also to patch up bugs from previous versions of software.
You should download and install the latest version to ensure this isn’t the issue. Check and download it with the steps outlined below:
- Open Settings.
- Go to General.
- Tap Software Update.
- Hit Download and Install.
Your iPhone will restart to install the update and may fix the issue. Is your Home button still not working? Try calibrating it.
Calibrating your Home button is one of the best methods you can try to troubleshoot an iPhone 6, iPhone 7, or iPhone 8 Home button that’s not working. Here’s what to do:
- Open any pre-installed app on your iPhone (Like Notes, Calculator, or Calendar).
- Press and hold the Side button until you see Slide to power off.
- Now, long press the Home button for a few seconds until the power off screen disappears and the app closes automatically.
Once you’re at the lock screen, the Home button should start working. This method works for all iPhones with physical and force-touch Home buttons.
You can customize the button click speed in Settings. This is not a surefire way to get the job done, but it has helped some users resolve their iPhone Home button not working.
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Go to Accessibility.
- Tap Home Button.
- Under CLICK SPEED, select Slow.
After modifying the options, restart your iPhone again and check if your Home button works.
5. Restore your iPhone
Now, this may sound like a challenging task, but it’s worth a try to resolve the issue. Restore your iPhone, and your Home button may start working again.
Before moving forward with this step, make sure your iPhone’s data is backed up, or you stand a good chance of losing it.
If you find this fixes your broken iPhone Home button, great! Otherwise, time to take a look at Assistive Touch in the next fix.
6. Enable Assistive Touch
Assistive Touch on your iPhone acts as a virtual Home button. It contains all of the Home button’s shortcuts as well as additional features unique to Assistive Touch.
If all of the above-mentioned methods didn’t work, you can get help from Assistive Touch to replace it temporarily.
- Go to Settings.
- Open Accessibility.
- Tap Touch.
- Select Assistive Touch and toggle it on.
Assistive Touch will appear on your iPhone screen, and you can use it for all your Home button needs.
If none of the options worked, you may ultimately need to have it repaired or replaced at a nearby Apple Store or through a third-party service provider.
8. Fix it yourself with Self Service Repair
Of course, if you’re keen to get under the hood, Apple wants to give you the chance. Apple’s Self Service Repair gives you the tools and know-how to fix your run-down iOS devices without a trip to the Apple store.
If you want to learn more, check out our article on Self Service Repair.
We hope you learned how to fix your iPhone button with one of our solutions. Know of another way? Tell us in the comment section below. If you have any other Apple-related questions, we’re happy to hear those too!
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