← Back to Home

⚙️ How to Customize iPhone Control Center (2026)

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

⚙️ Customize Control Center NOW (iOS 18). Add Apple Pay, Shazam, Magnifier. Limit to 3 pages max for clarity.

iOS 18 fully redesigned Control Center. Drag, drop, resize, multi-page. Most users don't customize. Here's the 2026 complete customization guide + recommended layouts.

⚙️ How to Customize Control Center iPhone (2026)

iOS 18 added FULL Control Center customization

iOS 18Major

iOS 18 = full Control Center redesign. Drag, drop, resize widgets. Add 3rd-party. Major upgrade.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: iOS 18 users

iOS 18 CC →

Swipe down from top-right corner = open Control Center

GestureStandard

Open Control Center: swipe down from top-right (Face ID iPhones). Older iPhones: swipe up from bottom.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: usage

Open CC →

Tap + (top right) → enter edit mode

Edit modeiOS 18

Tap + in top right of Control Center → enter edit mode. Drag, resize, add controls.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: customization

Edit Mode →

Drag + resize widgets to any size

ResizeiOS 18

Long-press widget → drag corners to resize. Different widgets support different sizes.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: customization

Resize →

Add 3rd-party controls (apps with API support)

3rd-partyiOS 18

Apps with Control Center API can add their own widgets. Music apps, productivity tools.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: power users

3rd-Party CC →

🎯 Best Controls to Add

Apple Pay (quick payment without unlocking)

SpeedUseful

Adding Apple Pay to Control Center = trigger Apple Pay payment without unlocking iPhone first.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: speed

Apple Pay CC →

Shazam (instant song ID)

Music IDUnderused

Add Shazam control. Tap = identify song playing. No app launch needed.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: music lovers

Shazam CC →

Magnifier (camera as magnifying glass)

AccessibilityUseful

Add Magnifier control. Tap = iPhone camera becomes magnifying glass. Vision aid.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: vision aid

Magnifier CC →

Voice Memos (one-tap voice recording)

RecordingUseful

Add Voice Memos control. Tap = instant voice recording. Great for ideas, journalism, meetings.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: recording

Voice Memos CC →

Wallet (quick boarding pass + tickets)

WalletTravel

Add Wallet control. Tap = open Wallet for boarding pass + concert ticket. Faster than app.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: travelers

Wallet CC →

Calculator (one-tap math)

MathCommon

Calculator already in Control Center but some users remove. Add back for one-tap math access.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: math users

Calculator CC →

🔄 Best Controls to Remove (Clutter Cleanup)

Screen Recording (rarely used by most)

RareRemove

Most users never screen record. Remove control to declutter. Re-add if needed.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: declutter

Screen Recording →

Stopwatch + Timer (already in Clock app)

DuplicateRemove

Stopwatch + Timer redundant with Clock app. Remove if you don't use frequently.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: declutter

Stopwatch →

Apple TV Remote (only if you have Apple TV)

ConditionalRemove

Apple TV Remote control useless without Apple TV. Remove if no Apple TV.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: non-Apple TV

Apple TV Remote →

Hearing (only if you use hearing aids)

ConditionalRemove

Hearing control for hearing aid users only. Remove if not applicable.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: non-hearing aid

Hearing →

📱 Per-Page Control Center (iOS 18)

iOS 18 = MULTIPLE Control Center pages (swipe between)

iOS 18Major

iOS 18 added multi-page Control Center. Swipe between pages. Like Home Screen pages.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: power users

Multi-Page →

Page 1: Default (basic controls)

First pageQuick access

First Control Center page = default basic controls (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, brightness, volume).

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: standard use

First Page →

Page 2+: Music + Smart Home + Custom

Subsequent pagesThemed

Second page = music controls. Third page = smart home. Customize themes per page.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: organization

Themed Pages →

Reorganize: Long-press + drag pages

ReorderCustomize

Long-press → drag Control Center pages to reorder. Personalize order.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: power users

Reorder →

💡 Pro Control Center Setup Recommendations

Page 1 (Default): Connectivity + Brightness + Volume + Camera + Flashlight + Apple Pay

StandardCore

Page 1 should have: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Cellular, Brightness, Volume, Music control, Camera, Flashlight, Apple Pay.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: most users

Default Page →

Page 2 (Productivity): Voice Memos + Notes + Reminders + Calculator + Magnifier

ProductivityPro

Page 2 productivity-focused: Voice Memos, Notes, Reminders, Calculator, Magnifier, Shazam.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: knowledge workers

Productivity Page →

Page 3 (Smart Home): HomeKit favorites + Apple TV Remote

Smart homeHomeKit

Page 3 for HomeKit users: favorite scenes (Goodbye, Movie Time), Apple TV Remote, lights.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: HomeKit users

Smart Home Page →

Don't over-page (3 pages max — beyond confusing)

LimitPro tip

3 pages max. More = lose track. Curate to essential controls per page.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: clarity

Page Limit →