How to Enable the Volume Slider on iPhone Lock Screen in iOS 18.2 and Later

For years now, the iPhone Lock Screen has had a handy volume knob (thanks to iOS for Apple) that adjusts audio volume without unlocking and without physical buttons on your iPhone. But Apple ditched a lock screen volume slider in some recent iOS updates that many users have been irked by. iOS 18.2 and onwards brought the feature back—but it is disabled by default, along with the Accessibility settings.

In-depth detail here on exactly how to turn on that volume slider on your iPhone lock screen in order for you, finally, to have simple access to touch adjustments in music, podcasts, audiobooks, etc., for whatever reason, from a locked screen.

Apple removed Lock Screen Volume Slider for what reason?

It is possible that Apple starting removing the Lock Screen volume slider (you know it was always at the top) with recent iOS versions from company design principles to keep the screen as clean as possible, since physical volume buttons are being used for any change about the audio.

They don’t work but physical buttons provide no sound volume indication or fine control like a slider will let you adjust very smoothly.

The media volume slider was removed from iOS 16, although the lock screen was revamped. Some individuals were annoyed by it and posted complaints about it on Reddit. The lack of a volume slider made it difficult for any iOS user with apps like Apple Music, Spotify, Audible, and Podcasts who is using a thumb to quickly peek or tweak the volume without unlocking.

iOS 18.2 Has a Volume Slider Again: Here’s What to Do to Make It Work

The feature of the volume slider was retrieved back in iOS 18.2 and newer versions, but starting from the manual activation step:

Step-by-Step: Enabling Volume Slider on iPhone Lock Screen

• Launch the Settings app on your iOS 18.2 or newer iPhone.
• Scroll and tap Accessibility.
• Head over to the Accessibility menu and choose Audio & Visual.
• Find an option called Always Show Volume Control.
• Switch on Always Show Volume Control.

Once the feature is on, lock your iPhone and start playing any audio—music, podcasts, audiobooks, or streaming apps like Spotify or Pandora—and the volume slider will appear on the Lock Screen automatically.

Benefits of Using the Volume Slider on Lock Screen

• Instant Volume Feedback: With the visual volume control, you will immediately know what level you are using. The buttons themselves do not give the same result.
• Precise Volume Adjustment: Glide the slider to your liking in a smooth way, unlike hanging on the buttons without efficiency.
• Universal App Support: It is compatible with Apple Music, Spotify, Audible, Podcasts, and, in reality, the list goes on and on about the apps that play audio.
• Enhanced Accessibility: Provides those individuals who experience using physical buttons as a hard task with an alternative on-screen control functionality that is simpler. Some of the new features have come as quite a shock to the end-users, as the change was beyond their expectations.

Diagnosis: If the Volume Slider Isn’t Visible

• Check iOS Version: Go to Settings > General > Software Update and make sure that your iPhone is running iOS 18.2 or later.
• Restart Your iPhone: Sometimes, for you to see a difference, the feature might need restarting after it is toggled.
• Confirm Audio Is Playing: The volume control appears when audio is playing.
• Accessibility Setting Confirmed: Go to Settings > Accessibility > Audio & Visual to confirm if the switch is turned on.

More Hints for Better Volume Control on iPhone

• Use Control Center: To access volume controls quickly, simply move your finger down from the top-right corner (for Face ID models) or swipe up (for Touch ID models).
• Enable Sound Check: Normal audio levels on both songs and apps can be achieved through enabling Sound Check located within Settings > Music.
• Adjust Volume Limit: In Settings > Music > Volume Limit, apply volume limits for safer listening.
• Use Headphones with Inline Controls: For even more precise control, many headphones are equipped with physical or touch volume buttons.

Some Final Words on iPhone Lock Screen Volume Slider Restoration

The return of the volume slider on the iPhone Lock Screen with iOS 18.2 is a good change indeed for users who needed quick control of the volume with just a glance. Although it’s kind of concealed in Accessibility settings and turned off by default, the process is very simple and should be done by people who are constantly using their phones for media.

We suggest that you activate this feature right after you have updated your iPhone to iOS 18.2 or later to always have a good experience with volume control.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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