How to Customize and Add Toggles to the iOS Control Center

The Control Center on your iPhone is a quick-access overlay that houses essential system controls. By swiping down from the top-right corner of your screen (or swiping up from the bottom on older iPhones with a Home button), you can instantly toggle Wi-Fi, adjust screen brightness, or activate the torch without hunting through the Settings app. While Apple provides a standard layout by default, the Control Center is highly customisable. You can add, remove, and rearrange the specific toggles that matter most to your daily routine, such as adding a quick button for Low Power Mode or a shortcut to Shazam.

Accessing the Customisation Menu

You cannot edit the Control Center directly from the overlay itself; all modifications are handled within the main iOS Settings application.

1. Unlock your iPhone and open the Settings app.
2. Scroll down to the third block of options and tap on Control Center.

This menu is divided into two distinct sections. The top section, Included Controls, lists the toggles currently visible when you swipe down. The bottom section, More Controls, lists all the available toggles you can add.

Adding New Toggles

Apple includes dozens of hidden shortcuts in the “More Controls” list that are disabled by default. These include tools for Accessibility, Apple TV Remote, Screen Recording, Dark Mode, and quick access to the Notes app.

1. Scroll down to the More Controls section.
2. Browse the alphabetical list to find a feature you use frequently. For example, locate Low Power Mode.
3. Tap the green plus (+) icon next to the feature.

The feature will instantly move from the bottom list to the “Included Controls” list at the top, confirming it has been added to your Control Center.

Removing and Rearranging Toggles

A cluttered Control Center defeats its purpose. If there are default icons you never use, such as the Timer or the Calculator, you should remove them to make room for tools you actually need.

1. Look at the Included Controls list at the top of the screen.
2. To remove an item, tap the red minus (-) icon next to it, then tap the red Remove button that slides out from the right. The item will move back down to the “More Controls” list.
3. To rearrange the order of the icons, press and hold the three horizontal lines (the hamburger icon) on the far right of an item.
4. Drag the item up or down the list to change its position.

The order in this list dictates how the icons appear in the grid. Items at the top of the list will appear in the first row of the Control Center, moving left to right.

Testing Your New Layout

Changes made in the Settings app are applied instantaneously. You do not need to press a save button.

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your screen to open the Control Center.
2. Review your new layout. If you placed the Screen Recording icon at the bottom of the list, it will appear at the bottom of your grid.
3. Remember that some toggles offer advanced features if you perform a “long press” (press and hold) on them. For example, long-pressing the Torch icon allows you to adjust the brightness slider, and long-pressing the Camera icon gives you instant shortcuts to take a selfie or record a video.