This page provides a simple method to instantly open up many apps from any screen or mid-app on your Apple iPhone or iPad. You can save time and get to many apps with just a swipe and a tap so you don’t miss a beat. This guide covers everything you can do with the iOS Control Center.
The Apple iPhone and iPad has a lot of seemingly hidden tricks to improve your experience and help you out if you need to access some apps quickly. You may need to write a note down quickly, or need Shazam to snag the name of a song, or want to take a quick picture.
Speed is of the essence in these situations because when you have an idea or hear a song or see a moment you want to capture, you don’t want to miss the moment. Fortunately, iOS devices have a simple method – the Control Center – that lets you quickly open up these apps from ANY screen or if you’re mid-game or stream.
Continue with our guide to learn how to access the Control Center, how to add or remove apps to it, organize the control center, and learn what the long press function does. There are a couple quick steps to take and then you’re all set!
1) How to Access the Control Center
You’re probably familiar with the Control Center, but maybe don’t know what it’s called or that you can add or remove apps.
Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen.
This is your Control Center. You’ve probably already got a bunch of icons in there.
This is where you want to add time-sensitive apps because Control Center gives you instant access from any app or screen with just a swipe.
2) How to Add Apps to the Control Center
When you go to add an app to the Control Center, it should be pretty clear what app you’re adding by looking at the app name and icon. Though at times it might be a little tricky (for example, Shazam is called Music Recognition). Here’s the steps so you can get an app added:
- From your device, navigate to and open Settings.
- Tap Control Center.
- Make sure the Access Within Apps toggle is selected. This is so you can open from any in-progress app.
- Scroll down to the More Controls section.
- Tap the Plus Sign next to an App.
- For example – look at the image of the Notes app (the different logo appears next to the name), or Shazam shows up as Music Recognition.
Look at how Notes is now added to the Control Center!
3) How to Remove Apps from the Control Center
If the Control Center is getting crowded, you may want to remove some apps. The steps are simple to remove:
- From your device, navigate to and open Settings.
- Tap Control Center.
- Scroll down to the Included Controls section.
- Tap the red Minus Sign next to an App. This removes the app from the Control Center.
4) How to Use Long Press (Touch and Hold) on the Control Center to Do Even More
- Once you’ve got an item added to the Control Center, you can press and hold down the icon.
- This will open an additional Control Center screen with expanded details.
- Each app will have different expanded options.
- For example, tap and hold down the Flashlight icon and you’ll see brightness options.
5) How to Organize the Control Center
You can arrange the icons in the Control Center after apps have been added:
- From your device, navigate to and open Settings.
- Tap Control Center.
- Scroll down to the Included Controls section.
- Touch and hold the gray lines icon and drag the apps (up or down) in the order that you want.
