MacMost Now 921: Using iOS 7 Control Center

Control Center is a new feature of iOS 7 that lets you access many common settings and controls from any screen. You can pause and adjust music playback, change wireless settings, screen brightness, and other features. Accessing Control Center is easy once you learn how to bring it up.

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Video Transcript: Hi this is Gary with MacMost Now. On today's episode I want to show you the new Control Center in iOS 7.
Control Center is a new feature of iOS 7 that allows you to quickly get to some primary functions without having to go to Settings or some app. The way to get to Control Center is to swipe up from the bottom of the screen. Now you have to do it from the very bottom of the screen. As a matter of fact I find it easiest to actually put your finger below the bottom of the screen like on the Home button, but not pressing the Home button, and then swipe up onto the screen and then Control Center will appear.
Now Control Center is going to be different depending on what is going on on your device and which device you've got. For instance you won't see here the little flashlight button that would appear on an iPhone because I am using an iPad which doesn't have a flash.
But what you will see here are controls for music playback and shows me which song is currently playing, it is paused. I can play and rewind and fast forward and things like that. Adjust the volume at the bottom of the screen as well. 
I can also do various things with the controls in the middle. A lot to do with networking. I can switch to airplane mode very easily. I can press the WiFi button there and bluetooth button to turn those on and off. I can also turn on the Do Not Disturb mode which is very handy to be able to access that quickly here. 
I can do orientation lock there. Of course just like with iOS 6 previously and the controls that you get to at the bottom of the screen this is orientation lock because the switch on the side of my iPad is set to mute. If I go into Settings and change that to orientation lock then this one would be a mute button.
I also have airplay controls. You can see I am using airplay right now which is how I am screen casting this. You can also get quick access to airdrop there at the bottom by tapping that. You can turn turn it off, or contacts only, or everyone. So you can basically quickly turn it on to be able to transfer a file and then turn it off to not be bothered by somebody trying to send you a file.
You also have some other controls on the right like a quick access to the camera there on the right. Also you have access there to the clock.
Then finally at the bottom right you have access to the brightness controls which you won't see change here on the screen since I am screen casting it and you are not seeing my actual iPad screen.
To close the Control Center you just basically tap that little flat arrow there at the top and drag it down.
One of the coolest things about Control Center is that it is there no matter what you are doing on your iPad. So for instance I can bring it up here on the Home screen but I can also be inside of an app and from that app I can bring it up as well. So it is always there ready for you to access any of the controls in it.
So there is a look at Control Center in iOS 7.
Until next time this is Gary with MacMost Now.

Comments: 18 Responses to “MacMost Now 921: Using iOS 7 Control Center”

Christopher Malaney

11 years ago

I love this feature, but really having problems accessing it cause I have an outer box case for my iPhone and iPad. I got the case to help protect my devices (sinceI am on the go all of the time). Any chance you know how I can access control center better or know if apple is aware of the problem.

Gary Rosenzweig

Have you tried starting your swipe on the case, and then onto the screen. It should work the same way, though I would imagine if you have a very thick case, your finger would "drop" down on to the screen already in from the edge.
If so, you may want to consider another case.
But you can still bring up Control Center, even if the swipe isn't perfect. You may have to play around with it to see what works best with your case, how you usually hold it, and your finger.

Debi Sterenchuk

I had the same problem as Christopher and your reply worked perfectly. Thanks so much!

Pierre Nel

Same problem, and as the case is quite expensive, I am not willing to part with it. I cannot find any other way to access the control center, not even siri. Very frustrating that the swipe gesture is so specific from outside the.dcreen

Darrell K

I love my Otterbox Defender and was frustrated like Christopher that I couldn't get the Control Center. Thanks Gary!!

Bruce Mackey

Another very informative podcast! I always enjoy them but since you have been doing segments on IOS 7 they have been particularly useful. Thank You.

Judi Bell

The dial pad is so light I can hardly see it. It is a light gray. Others have commented on it as well. Also all Apps have very light writing on them. The Green shade is horrible to see. Over all not happy with the colours. Anyone with low vision will have trouble. Love the large font but the shading is not good. Any suggestions or is an upgrade coming so this can be adjusted.

Look in Settings, General, Accessibility, and turn on Bold Text.

Cheryl

I don't have a screen lock button option - I see a mute button.

That is probably because of your setting in the Settings app under General "Use Side Switch To:" If you have that set to Mute, then you have a Lock Rotation control in Control Center. If you have it set to Lock Rotation, then you have Mute in the Control Center.

Sounded counterintuitive at first, but now it makes sense. Thanks!

Ricardo

Is there a way to change the buttons in control center? For instance I do not use the Timer as much as the Alarm. How can I change this?

Best regards!

No. That's not an available option right now.

Ethel

I found it annoying to have the Control Center pop up unexpectedly when I accidentally swiped within an app. To fix this you can go to Settings, Control Center, and turn off accessibility within apps.

Debi Brening

First let me thank you for ALL your informative podcasts.
iOS7 is not available for our desktops, right?

iOS is the mobile operating system that Apple makes for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Macs use a different operating system called OS X.

Midwestjones

When I first upgraded to iOS 7 I had the flashligh on my iPhone 4. It's missing now, what happened? Did I turn it off or has this been removed by Apple?

I haven't heard that they removed it. Should still be there.

Comments Closed.

MacMost Now 921: Using iOS 7 Control Center

Comments: 18 Responses to “MacMost Now 921: Using iOS 7 Control Center”

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