iPhone Home button is the one that is constantly being pressed (it’s under pressure, always ☺) and this makes it tired sometimes. For an experienced user, he must have faced this problem of iPhone Home button not working or becoming unresponsive on iPhone. After all, who wants to take commands for a lifetime?
But it’s your iPhone, which is your constant companion and if something happens to its functionality, you should take it seriously. We have listed here some solutions to fix this issue of home button not working on iPhone or iPad. You can try out each solution one by one if your home button is broken.
How to Fix iPhone Home Button Not Working or Unresponsive
Quick Links:
- Recalibration of Home Button
- Use Activator On a Jailbroken Device
- Assistive Touch
- Reset Your iPhone
- Update to the Latest iOS Version
- Update iPhone Using iTunes
Solution 1. Recalibration of Home Button
Step #1: Open any stock app on your iPhone; you can launch apps like Stocks, Weather etc.
Step #2: Press and hold Power button until you see the slider “slide to power off” option.
Step #3: Now release the power button and press and hold Home button until that slider disappears.
This is done! Now you can experience that your iPhone home button has become more responsive than earlier. Note that the calibration effect will slowly diminish after some time. In some iPhone’s, it may happen within a week and in others, it may take a few weeks or months.
Solution 2. Use Activator On a Jailbroken Device
If you are using a Jailbroken iPhone or iPad, there is a tweak called Activator that can help you in your troubled phase. This tweak is developed by Ryan Petrich; it works just like a Home button on the screen. It goes without saying that it will be a virtual button you need to tap on. You can install this tweak from the latest Cydia via Big Boss repo.
Solution 3. Assistive Touch
Assistive Touch is the best solution in this situation. Not every user likes to Jailbreak their iOS devices, and therefore, Assistive Touch, which is a built-in tool, comes handy. To use this tool, follow below-mentioned steps:
Step #1: Launch Settings on your iOS device.
Step #2: Now tap on General.
Step #3: Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.
Step #4: Tap on AssistiveTouch
Step #5: Toggle ON AssistiveTouch .
Now you can use this AssistiveTouch icon that works as substitute of Home button. You can move this button on your iPhone’s screen while interacting with any app or function of your phone.
Solution 4. Reset Your iPhone
Though AssistiveTouch provides a lasting solution, there are many users who don’t like this idea of using virtual Home button. And therefore, there is one more solution – reset your iPhone.
Step #1: Launch Settings on iPhone/iPad.
Step #2: Tap on General.
Step #3: Scroll down to bottom and tap on Reset.
Step #4: Finally, tap on Reset All Settings.
Before you perform this action, make sure that you have restored your iPhone data.
Solution 5. Update to the Latest iOS Version
Though there is no obvious connection between malfunctioning of Home button and updating iOS, you should go for this workaround. Strange things happen in all technology.
Step #1: Plug your device in to power and then connect it to the Internet Wi-Fi.
Step #2: Open Settings app.
Step #3: Tap on General.
Step #4: Tap on Software Update.
Step #5: Tap on Download and Install.
As per the size of iOS version, you may be asked to remove some apps to create more space in your iPhone. At this, you can tap on Continue or Cancel. No worries, iOS will reinstall all the apps you removed during download and installation. If you want to update your iPhone to the latest iOS, tap on Install. Or you can tap Later and select Install Tonight or Remind Me Later. If you select Install Tonight option, make sure that your iPhone is connected to a secure power source. Your iPhone will be updated overnight.
Solution 6. Update iPhone Using iTunes
If you see an error or need more space while you are updating wirelessly, you should choose iTunes to update iPhone.
Step #1: First off, install the latest version of iTunes on your Mac or Windows PC.
Step #2: Now connect your iOS device with computer via lightning cable.
Step #3: Open iTunes and select your device.
Step #4: Click on Summary from the left navigation panel.
Step #5: Now click on Check for Update seen in the dialog box on right side.
Step #6: Finally, click Download and Update.
While you are performing above methods to fix the Home button unresponsive issue, it goes without saying that you should keep the button neat and clean. By frequent touches, Home button gathers sweat, moisture, dust and dirt around it. This dirt makes its way under the Home button from the space around the button. Over a period of time, Home button loses its strength and becomes unresponsive as the dirt is clogged inside.
If you choose to repair the button, it will take much time. Replacing the button is a costly affair and buying a new iPhone is altogether costlier. This should be your last resort. To my mind, AssistiveTouch is the best option in this situation.
Hope the above methods work to give you quick results. Do you have any other method to get rid of iPhone Home Button Not Working or Unresponsive issue? Share your feedback with us on Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.