Header Banner
Gadget Hacks Logo
Gadget Hacks
iOS & iPhone
gadgethacks.mark.png
Gadget Hacks Shop Apple Guides Android Guides iPhone Guides Mac Guides Pixel Guides Samsung Guides Tweaks & Hacks Privacy & Security Productivity Hacks Movies & TV Smartphone Gaming Music & Audio Travel Tips Videography Tips Chat Apps

Touch, Don't Press: Extend the Lifespan of Your iPhone 5s Home Key

Smartphone home button on wooden surface.

Take a minute and think about how many times a day you press the home key on your iPhone . . . a lot, right? It is quite literally the most important button on your device. If the home key stops working, you won't be able to multitask or back out of apps to go to your home screen, so preserving its life should be priority, otherwise you're stuck using one of these tips for fixing your home button.

Close-up of a smartphone displaying a green landscape on its screen.

Luckily, for 5S users, you can add a tweak that will utilize your touch ID sensor, instead of having to actually press your home key. The requirements are a jailbroken 5s running iOS 7 and a working touch ID sensor.

Virtual Home

Open Cydia, then search and install the free Virtual Home tweak.

Virtual Home app icon featuring a drill graphic.

When your device restarts, you will be able to perform the following actions:

  • Single tap for home screen
  • Tap and hold to multitask
  • Tap to detect unlock without pressing home or unlock button

It should be noted that some bugs have been reported, like whenever a new app is downloaded from the app store virtual home stops working, but it is easily fixed by re-springing (restarting) your device. Other than that, it's a really cool tweak that most iPhone 5s users should appreciate and utilize.

Apple's iOS 26 and iPadOS 26 updates are packed with new features, and you can try them before almost everyone else. First, check our list of supported iPhone and iPad models, then follow our step-by-step guide to install the iOS/iPadOS 26 beta — no paid developer account required.

Related Articles

Comments

No Comments Exist

Be the first, drop a comment!