When your iPhone or iPad home button stops responding, it can be frustrating. Before considering expensive repairs, try these simple troubleshooting steps that often resolve the issue.
First Things to Check
Before diving into specific fixes, start with these basic checks:
- Remove any cases or screen protectors that might be interfering with the button
- Ensure the button area is clean and free of debris
- Check if your device is still under warranty before attempting any DIY repairs
Solution 1: Recalibrate the Home Button
This simple recalibration trick works for many users:
- 1.Press and hold the power button until "slide to power off" appears
- 2.Release the power button and immediately press and hold the home button
- 3.Keep holding the home button until you return to the home screen
Some users report needing three or four attempts for this to work effectively.
Solution 2: Clean the Home Button
Dirt, dust, and debris are common causes of unresponsive home buttons:
- Use 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes or rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab
- Gently clean around the button edges
- Let a few drops of alcohol land directly on the button, then tap it to help the liquid seep in
- Allow the area to dry completely before testing
Solution 3: Portrait and Landscape Rotation
This orientation-based fix has helped many users:
- 1.Press and hold the home button while your device is in portrait view
- 2.Keep holding the button as you rotate the device to landscape mode
- 3.Make sure the screen rotates during this process
- 4.Return to portrait view while continuing to hold the button
- 5.Release the home button
Solution 4: Use Five-Finger Gestures
For iPads, you can enable gestures as an alternative navigation method:
For iOS 12-iOS 10:
- 1.Go to Settings > General > Multitasking and Dock
- 2.Turn Gestures on
- 3.To return home, place five fingers on the screen and pinch them together
For iPadOS:
- 1.Navigate to Settings > Home Screen & Dock
- 2.Tap the Gestures toggle to enable or disable
Solution 5: Enable AssistiveTouch
When other solutions don't work, AssistiveTouch creates a virtual home button on your screen:
- 1.Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch
- 2.Tap on AssistiveTouch and turn it on
- 3.A floating icon will appear on your screen

- 1.Tap the icon and select "Home" to simulate the home button
- 2.To move the icon, tap and hold, then drag it to your preferred location

When to Seek Professional Help
If none of these solutions work, your home button may have a hardware issue. Consider:
- Visiting an Apple Store for diagnosis
- Checking if your device is still under warranty
- Using authorized repair services for button replacement
Remember that newer iPhone models (iPhone 7 and later) don't have mechanical home buttons, so these fixes apply primarily to older devices with physical buttons.