Change Lock Screen Shortcut Buttons in iOS 18

iOS 18 introduces the ability to replace the longstanding default Flashlight and Camera buttons on the Lock Screen with a wide range of alternative controls. Users can now swap these slots for essential system utilities, accessibility features, quick capture tools, or even custom automations via the Shortcuts app. This guide outlines every category of controls available to replace the default buttons, as well as the option to remove them entirely for a cleaner interface.

System Utilities and Device Controls

Apple allows you to assign several core device settings directly to the bottom corners of your Lock Screen:

  • Flashlight: Toggle the LED flash on or off (the traditional default).
  • Timer: Instantly start a countdown timer.
  • Calculator: Quickly open the built-in Calculator.
  • Stopwatch: Jump straight to elapsed time tracking.
  • Dark Mode: Toggle between system-wide Light and Dark appearances.
  • Airplane Mode, Cellular Data, and Personal Hotspot: Quickly manage network connectivity states.
  • Low Power Mode: Toggle battery-saving features when running low on charge.

Capture and Media Tools

If you frequently use media or scanning features, you can set the buttons to:

  • Camera: Open the standard camera (the traditional default).
  • Scan Document: Directly open the camera in document-scanning mode.
  • Code Scanner: Launch a dedicated scanner for QR codes.
  • Magnifier: Use your camera as a digital magnifying glass.
  • Voice Memos: Start an audio recording instantly.
  • Recognize Music: Trigger Shazam to identify songs playing nearby.
  • Apple TV Remote: Access the virtual remote for your Apple TV.

Accessibility Controls

For users who rely on assistive features, iOS 18 provides direct Lock Screen access to:

  • AssistiveTouch: Toggle the on-screen assistive menu.
  • Live Speech: Type to speak aloud during conversations.
  • Color Filters: Switch custom display tinting on or off.
  • VoiceOver: Enable or disable screen reading.
  • Left/Right Balance, Reduce Motion, and Invert Colors: Quickly manage visual and auditory comfort settings.

Shortcuts and Third-Party Apps

The most versatile option comes from the Shortcuts integration:

  • Open App: Launch any third-party app installed on your iPhone directly from the Lock Screen.
  • Run Shortcut: Trigger any multi-step automation, such as opening a smart home garage door, sending a pre-written message, or logging water intake.
  • Third-Party Control Center Widgets: Supported third-party apps can provide their own dedicated toggle buttons that appear in the selection gallery.

Removing the Buttons

If you prefer a minimalist Lock Screen, iOS 18 allows you to remove the shortcut buttons altogether, leaving one or both corners completely blank.

How to Change the Shortcuts

  1. Wake your iPhone and long-press the Lock Screen.
  2. Tap Customize at the bottom, then select the Lock Screen preview.
  3. Tap the minus (–) button on the Flashlight or Camera icon to remove it.
  4. Tap the plus (+) button to open the Controls Gallery and choose your preferred action.
  5. Tap Done in the top-right corner to save your changes.