Your iPhone Home button is stuck and you’re not sure what to do. No matter how many times you try to press it, nothing happens. In this article, I’ll explain what to do when your iPhone Home button is not working and explain how you can get it repaired today!
Is My iPhone’s Home Button Broken? Does It Need To Be Repaired?
Even though your iPhone Home button is not working, it’s possible that there isn’t a hardware problem at all! When you press a button on your iPhone, it’s the software that tells your iPhone to perform the task. Your iPhone may just be experiencing a minor software glitch!
Turn On AssistiveTouch
Apple has built in a temporary solution when your iPhone Home button is stuck or simply won’t work — it’s called AssistiveTouch. When AssistiveTouch is on, a virtual button will appear on your iPhone’s display. This button allows you to lock your iPhone, turn off on your iPhone, and so much more.
Here’s how to add a home button using AssistiveTouch:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Tap Accessibility.
- Tap Touch.
- Tap AssistiveTouch.
- Tap the toggle for AssistiveTouch – it will go from having a gray background to a green one. The AssistiveTouch button should now appear on the screen.
To use AssistiveTouch, tap the button that hovers on the screen. It should pop out into a button overlay menu with several buttons, including Home. Tapping Home has the same effect as pressing the home button on the phone.
Take Off iPhone Case If You Use One
Although it’s unlikely, it’s possible your iPhone Home button is not working because the case on your iPhone is preventing you from pressing it all the way down. Try taking off your iPhone’s case and pressing the Home button again. If it still won’t work, move onto the next step!
Can You Still Press The Home Button, Or Is It Totally Stuck?
There are essentially two different types of Home button problems:
- You can’t press it down because it’s completely stuck.
- You can press it down, but nothing happens.
If scenario one describes your iPhone, then your only option may be to repair it. Dirt, gunk, and other debris can occasionally get stuck in your iPhone’s Home button. Try wiping it down with a microfiber cloth to see if you can clean anything out.
You probably won’t have much success with this because there isn’t really an easy way to clean it out without opening up your iPhone. If you want to get your iPhone Home button fixed, scroll down to the "Repair Your iPhone" section of this article.
If your iPhone Home button isn’t stuck, there’s a chance the software is causing the problem. Work through the troubleshooting steps below to try and fix the problem!
Restart Your iPhone
The first software troubleshooting step when your iPhone home button won’t work is to simply turn it off and back on. This can fix a minor software glitch that could be causing the problem.
Press and hold the power button, then swipe the red power icon when "slide to power off" appears. Wait a few seconds, then press and hold the power button again until the Apple logo appears.
Update Your iPhone
Updating your iPhone can sometimes fix software bugs that could be preventing the home button from working properly. Open Settings and tap General -> Software Update. Tap Update Now if an iOS update is available.
Repair Your iPhone
If you’ve made it through all the troubleshooting steps and your iPhone Home button still isn’t working, it’s time to explore your repair options. If you have AppleCare+, set up an appointment at your local Apple Store and bring your iPhone in.
However, if your iPhone Home button stopped working after it got wet, the Apple Store won’t be able to help you out. AppleCare+ doesn’t cover liquid damage, so the best they’ll be able to do is completely replace your iPhone, which won’t be cheap.
iPhone Home Button: Fixed!
You’ve successfully fixed your iPhone’s Home button, or you have a great option to get it repaired if necessary. Next time your iPhone Home button is not working, you’ll know exactly what to do. If you have any other questions about your iPhone, leave them in the comments section below.
