Finding Your Way Home in a (Home) Buttonless World: Using an iOS Device Without a Home Button the Ears Edition

In this episode, Scott Davert explores the different ways to access the Home Screen on iPhones without a Home Button. With the launch of the iPhone 16e, Apple has fully transitioned to a buttonless design, changing how users interact with their devices. For those accustomed to the tactile feedback of the Home Button, this shift may feel challenging. However, several alternative methods can replicate its functionality.

1. Using the Default Gesture:

To return to the Home Screen without a physical button:

1. Place a finger at the bottom center of the screen.
2. Quickly swipe upward until you feel a slight vibration or hear a "pop" sound.
3. Release your finger to navigate to the Home Screen.

Tip: Using the charging port as a reference point can help with finger placement. Adding a small tactile marker, such as a bump dot, on your case near the swipe area can also provide a reliable guide.

2. Customizing VoiceOver Gestures:

VoiceOver users can assign the Home function to a different gesture for easier navigation:

Assigning Home to a Two-Finger Swipe Right:

1. Open Settings > Accessibility > VoiceOver > Commands > Touch Gestures.
2. Choose a gesture, such as a two-finger swipe right.
3. Under the "System" section, select "Home".
4. If the gesture is already assigned, iOS will notify you. Confirm the reassignment by selecting "Assign".

Note: The two-finger swipe right is typically used for grouped navigation, so choose another gesture if this conflicts with your existing setup.

3. Enabling Back Tap:

Back Tap allows users to activate specific functions by tapping the back of their iPhone:

Setting Up Back Tap for Home Screen Access:

1. Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap.
2. Toggle "Back Tap" on.
3. Choose "Triple Tap".
4. From the options, select "Home".

Observation: If you use a thick phone case, Back Tap may not work as effectively. Adjust your tapping technique or consider using a thinner case if needed.

4. Using the Action Button with Siri Shortcuts:

On certain iPhone models with an Action Button, you can program it to bring you to the Home Screen using a Siri Shortcut:

Configuring the Action Button for Home:

1. Download the shortcut, courtesy of AppleVis' very own AnonyMouse. on a compatible iPhone.
2. If the shortcut doesn’t run automatically, tap "Add Shortcut" to enable it.
3. Navigate to Settings > Action Button.
4. Select "Shortcut" from the menu.
5. Choose "Go to Home Screen" from the list of shortcuts.
6. Now, pressing and holding the Action Button will return you to the Home Screen.

Reminder: To maintain security, only download shortcuts from reputable sources.

By utilizing these methods, users can easily adjust to Apple's buttonless design, ensuring a smooth and intuitive experience on modern iPhones.

If you'd like to read this in a written guide, you can find it here: Finding Your Way Home in a (Home) Buttonless World: Using an iOS Device Without a Home Button

Transcript

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