Use the side button, Home button and other controls on your iPhone

Find out about the buttons and other controls on your iPhone.

On iPhone 16 models

Line art of an iPhone 16 with numbers pointing to the buttons and controls.

1: Side button: Use the side button to turn off your iPhone and to lock your iPhone.

2: Volume buttons: use the volume up/down buttons to adjust the volume when listening to music, watching videos or playing games. When you're not using other apps, the buttons will adjust the ringer volume.

3: Action button: you can choose what you want this button to do, including opening the Camera app or turning on the torch. By default, the Action button turns Silent mode on or off. Find out more about the Action button.

4: Camera Control: use the Camera Control to quickly open your iPhone camera, capture photos or videos, and access camera settings. Find out more about the Camera Control.

On iPhone 15 and earlier models without a Home button

Line art of an iPhone 15 with numbers pointing to the buttons.

1: Side button: Use the side button to turn off your iPhone and to lock your iPhone.

2: Volume buttons: use the volume up/down buttons to adjust the volume when listening to music, watching videos or playing games. When you're not using other apps, the buttons will adjust the ringer volume.

3: Action button or Ring/Silent switch:

  • With the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro models: you can choose what you want this button to do, including opening the Camera app or turning on the torch. By default, the Action button turns Silent mode on or off. Find out more about the Action button.

  • With the Ring/Silent switch: If the switch shows orange, your iPhone is in Silent mode and will vibrate for incoming calls or alerts. When in Silent mode, the alarms you set in the Clock app will still sound, and calls from favourite contacts will still ring.

On iPhone 8 models and earlier

Line art showing an iPhone 8 with numbers pointing to the buttons.

1: Side button: Use the side button to turn off your iPhone and to lock your iPhone.

2: Volume buttons: use the volume up/down buttons to adjust the volume when listening to music, watching videos or playing games. When you're not using other apps, the buttons will adjust the ringer volume.

3: Ring/Silent switch: the switch shows orange, your iPhone is in Silent mode and will vibrate for incoming calls or alerts. When in Silent mode, the alarms you set in the Clock app will still sound, and calls from favourite contacts will still ring.

4: Home button with Touch ID: use the Home button to unlock your device or make purchases using Touch ID. Press the Home button once to go to the Home screen. Press the Home button twice to bring up the App Switcher.

Find out more

  • Find out what to do if a button or switch isn't working.

  • Find out how to identify your iPhone model.

  • Find out how to use AssistiveTouch to adjust volume, lock your screen, use multi-finger gestures, restart your device or replace pressing buttons with just a tap.

  • To put your iPhone to sleep: On iPhone 6 and later, and on iPhone SE (2nd generation) and later, press the side button to wake your iPhone or put it to sleep. On iPhone SE (1st generation) and earlier, press the button on the top.

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