Apple Dropped iPhone Home Button in 2017 for Edge-to-Edge Screen, Face ID and Gestures
Updated
Updated · Boy Genius Report · Aug 2
Apple Dropped iPhone Home Button in 2017 for Edge-to-Edge Screen, Face ID and Gestures
1 articles · Updated · Boy Genius Report · Aug 2
Summary
Apple began phasing out the iPhone’s Home Button with the 2017 iPhone X, replacing it with Face ID and swipe gestures; the 2022 iPhone SE was the last model to include it.
Removing the button freed space for an edge-to-edge display and more internal components, including a larger battery and an upgraded Taptic Engine.
The redesign also let Apple shift iPhone navigation to gestures—such as swiping up to go home—as rivals like Samsung had already pushed bezel-light screens by 2015.
Users who still want a Home Button-like control can enable AssistiveTouch in Settings, adding a movable on-screen button that can be customized for Home and App Switcher actions.