Apple products aren't cheap, but if you're having trouble with your iPhone or iPad's Home or Power button, don't despair. All is not lost! You can use the Assistive Touch feature to access the functions of your Apple device via the touchscreen, without the need to use the physical buttons. So if your Home and Power buttons no longer work, or you just prefer to use the touchscreen instead of the physical buttons, you can use AssistiveTouch.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Enable AssistiveTouch
Step 1. Go to “Settings”
Step 2. Scroll down and select “General”
Step 3. Tap on “Accessibility”, which is located at the bottom of the screen
Step 4. Scroll to “Physics and Engine” and tap on “AssistiveTouch”
Step 5. Slide the switch to bring it to "On" and change the switch color to green
At this point, you should be able to see the AssistiveTouch button on the screen
Part 2 of 3: Using AssistiveTouch
Step 1. Look for the bright white button on the screen
Once AssistiveTouch is enabled, you will see a floating icon on each screen.
Step 2. Move the button if you prefer
To move it, press and hold it and drag it wherever you want, so that it does not clutter during normal use of the device.
Step 3. Tap the button to show the options
By default, a screen will appear presenting various options.
- "Home" behaves exactly like the physical Home button on the device.
- "Favorites" is a customizable menu in which to insert other gestures. By clicking on one of the empty favorite boxes, a screen will appear where you can set new custom gestures.
- "Siri" will take you to the normal Siri menu of the device.
- "Device" offers some options, such as the ability to increase / decrease the volume, rotate the screen, lock the screen, mute sounds and access other options.
- By clicking on "More", under "Device", you can choose to simulate various gestures on the screen in case you cannot physically perform them - including multi-finger touch, shake the phone, access the multitasking screen and take screenshots.
Part 3 of 3: Using AssistiveTouch specific options
Step 1. Take a screenshot
In case you don't know how to take screenshots the traditional way, or the home / lock button is broken, you can take a screenshot with AssistiveTouch:
- Tap the bright AssistiveTouch button.
- Tap the "Device" option on the right.
- Tap the "Other" option at the bottom right.
- Finally, tap on "screenshot".
Step 2. Adjust the volume
By activating AssistiveTouch you can increase, decrease or change the volume of the device.
- Tap the bright AssistiveTouch button.
- Tap the "Device" option on the right.
- From here, you can choose "Volume Up", "Volume Down" or "Mute".
Step 3. Lock the screen
If the lock button on your device is broken, you can use the AssistiveTouch.
- Tap the bright AssistiveTouch button.
- Tap the "Device" option
- Tap on "Lock Screen", top left
Step 4. Open the multitasking screen
Using applications or browsing the Internet via your Apple device, you can open another application by double clicking on the Home button. In case your Home button doesn't work, you can use AssistiveTouch.
- Tap the AssistiveTouch button.
- Select "Device".
- From here, choose the "Other" option at the bottom right.
- Tap the “Multitasking” button at the bottom.
