The iPhone 13 does not have a physical Home button. Apple replaced the Home button with gesture navigation on all Face ID models, so the home button on iPhone 13 is a swipe-up gesture rather than a physical component you can press.
Does the iPhone 13 have a home button?
No, the iPhone 13 does not have a physical Home button. As of the iPhone X, Apple removed the iconic physical button in favor of a full-screen design. The iPhone 13 continues this trend, relying entirely on gesture-based navigation and Face ID for authentication and control. There is no Home button to locate on iPhone 13.
How to go to the Home Screen on iPhone 13
To return to the Home Screen from any app, swipe up from the bottom edge of the screen. This single gesture is the primary replacement for pressing the physical Home button on older models. The iPhone 13 offers the option to enable Reachability, a feature that brings the top of the screen within reach by double-tapping the virtual home button.
- Start your swipe from the very bottom edge of the display.
- Move your finger upward in a quick, continuous motion.
- Release when you see the Home Screen appear.
How to switch between apps on iPhone 13
To move between your most recently used apps, swipe left or right along the bottom edge of the screen. This gesture replaces the double-press Home button function that older iPhones used to open the App Switcher. The virtual home indicator can be used for a quick swipe up and pause to access multitasking.
- Place your finger on the thin horizontal line at the bottom of the screen.
- Swipe left or right to cycle through your open apps.
- Lift your finger on the app you want to open.
How to wake and unlock iPhone 13
Wake your iPhone 13 by raising it or tapping the screen. To unlock, glance at the display so Face ID can recognize you, then swipe up from the bottom of the Lock Screen. This replaces the old process of pressing the Home button to wake and unlock.
- Raise the iPhone or tap the screen to wake it.
- Look at the screen so Face ID authenticates you.
- Swipe up from the bottom of the Lock Screen to unlock.
What the side button does on iPhone 13
Since there is no Home button, the side button on iPhone 13 handles multiple functions that the Home button previously shared. Press and hold the side button to activate Siri. Press it twice to use Apple Pay. Press it once to put the device to sleep or wake it. The side button also turns the iPhone on and off when held with a volume button.
Can you add a virtual home button to iPhone 13?
AssistiveTouch provides an on-screen button alternative via accessibility settings, but Apple's Home button customization options only apply to models with a physical Home button. On iPhone 13, you cannot customize a Home button because the device does not have one. The documented button settings are for the Face ID side button or Home-button models, respectively. If you enable AssistiveTouch, you get a floating on-screen menu that can perform actions like going to the Home Screen, but it is not a virtual Home button in the traditional sense. Users can customize the haptic feedback intensity of the virtual home button. AssistiveTouch can be especially beneficial for individuals with motor skill impairments.
iPhone 13 navigation vs Android navigation
For users switching from Android, the difference is significant. Android offers three navigation options: Gesture navigation, 2-button navigation, or 3-button navigation. In 2-button and 3-button navigation, Home is a button on screen; in Gesture navigation, there are no buttons and you swipe up from the bottom to go Home. The iPhone 13 uses gesture-only navigation with no alternative button-based options, making it most similar to Android's Gesture navigation mode.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the iPhone 13 have Touch ID?
No, the iPhone 13 does not have Touch ID. It uses Face ID for biometric authentication. There is no fingerprint sensor built into the device.
Can I use AssistiveTouch to replace the Home button on iPhone 13?
Yes, AssistiveTouch places a floating on-screen button that can perform Home Screen and other functions. However, it is an accessibility feature, not a customizable Home button replacement like on older iPhone models.
How do I force restart an iPhone 13 without a Home button?
Press and quickly release the volume up button, then press and quickly release the volume down button, then press and hold the side button until the Apple logo appears.
Why did Apple remove the Home button from iPhone 13?
Apple removed the Home button to maximize screen space, enabling a larger display in a similar-sized body, and to support Face ID technology for secure authentication.
Does the iPhone 13 have a virtual home button on screen?
No, the iPhone 13 does not have a virtual home button by default. The only on-screen alternative is AssistiveTouch, which must be enabled in accessibility settings.
For the wider topic, see navigating home screen and apps.
