Apple has officially discontinued the Home Button, a defining feature of early iPhones and iPads. The release of the iPhone 16e marks the last Apple device to transition to Face ID, removing the last physical button from iPhones.
Since its introduction in 2007 with the first iPhone, the Home Button served as a central navigation tool. Over the years, Apple integrated Touch ID into the button, enhancing security and user convenience. However, as edge-to-edge displays became the industry standard, Apple gradually phased out the button in favor of Face ID and gesture-based navigation.
The Last Apple Products with a Home Button
Before this final shift, Apple had already removed the Home Button from its iPads. In May 2024, the company quietly stopped selling the ninth-generation 10.2-inch iPad, the last tablet to feature the button. Its replacement, the tenth-generation iPad, moved Touch ID to the top button while adopting USB-C instead of the Lightning port.
With the iPhone SE 3 also discontinued, Apple no longer sells any new products featuring a Home Button.
Transition to Face ID and USB-C
Apple’s Face ID system, introduced with the iPhone X, gradually replaced Touch ID as the company’s primary biometric authentication method. While some iPads still use Touch ID, they have moved the sensor to the power button, eliminating the need for a dedicated Home Button.
Additionally, Apple has now fully transitioned from its Lightning port to USB-C, aligning with the European Union’s universal charging standard. This move signals Apple’s commitment to modernizing its devices and complying with global regulations.
What’s Next for Apple?
While the Home Button is officially gone, Touch ID is still present in select iPads and MacBooks. However, the company continues focusing on Face ID improvements and integrating Apple Intelligence into its devices.
For users who preferred the Home Button, this marks a nostalgic moment. But Apple’s future is clearly centered on gesture-based controls, seamless integration, and AI-driven enhancements.
