Since its inception in iOS 7, Apple’s Control Centre remained a single, static panel providing quick shortcuts to brightness, volume, torch, and wireless toggles. While users could add or remove select system buttons from Settings, the grid layout remained rigid and locked to Apple’s predetermined tile sizes. In iOS 18, Apple completely reimagined Control Centre. The updated design introduces a fluid, multi-page layout, resizable control tiles, support for third-party App Store controls, and full drag-and-drop customization directly from the active Control Centre interface.
What Is New in the iOS 18 Control Centre?
The redesign delivers several major functional transformations:
- Multi-Page Navigation: Control Centre now spans multiple distinct vertical pages, including Favourites, Now Playing Music, HomeKit Smart Home, and Connectivity.
- Resizable Tiles: Controls are no longer restricted to 1×1 squares. You can resize tiles into 1×2 horizontal bars, 2×2 squares, or full-width widgets.
- Controls Gallery: A comprehensive searchable gallery displaying hundreds of native Apple shortcuts and third-party developer actions.
- Lock Screen Integration: Any shortcut available in the Control Centre gallery can now be assigned to the two Lock Screen corner toggle slots.
How to Access and Edit Control Centre in iOS 18
Customizing Control Centre no longer requires navigating deep into the iPhone Settings menu:
- Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone display to reveal Control Centre.
- Tap the + (Plus) button located in the top-left corner of the screen (or touch and hold any empty area of the grid).
- The interface enters edit mode: all active tiles display a minus (–) removal badge, and a curved resize handle appears in their bottom-right corners.
Adding New Shortcuts from the Controls Gallery
To populate your grid with tools you frequently use:
- While in edit mode, tap Add a Control at the bottom of the screen.
- The Controls Gallery slides up, categorised by utility:
- Accessibility: Live Speech, VoiceOver, Magnifier, Hearing Devices.
- Capture: Camera modes, QR Code Scanner, Voice Memos.
- Shortcuts: Run any custom Siri Shortcut directly from Control Centre.
- Third-Party Apps: Quick actions from installed apps like Spotify, Halide, and Things.
- Tap any control to add it directly to your active page.
Resizing Controls to Fit Your Workflow
Changing the visual footprint of a control allows you to prioritise high-frequency tools:
- While in edit mode, locate the small white rounded handle in the bottom-right corner of the target control tile.
- Drag the handle outward or downward to expand the tile:
- Expand a 1×1 Torch button into a 2×2 square for easier one-handed tapping.
- Expand the Connectivity group to reveal individual toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Aeroplane Mode, Personal Hotspot, and AirDrop.
- Release your finger to lock in the new dimension. Surrounding icons rearrange dynamically.
Navigating and Creating Additional Control Centre Pages
On the right-hand edge of Control Centre, notice the vertical page indicator icons:
- Heart Icon: Your custom Favourites page.
- Music Note Icon: Dedicated full-page Now Playing audio interface with album art and AirPlay selectors.
- House Icon: Dedicated HomeKit automation page for smart lights, thermostats, and door locks.
- Antenna Icon: Dedicated Connectivity hub.
To create a brand new custom page: while in edit mode, swipe down to the bottom of the page list and drag a new control into the empty canvas. A new page bubble appears automatically.
Locking in Your Custom Setup
Once you have positioned and resized your controls to perfection, tap anywhere in the empty space or swipe up from the bottom home bar to exit edit mode. Your personalised Control Centre is ready for effortless daily use.