The Home button was an important part of the interface of Apple smartphones. In 2007, it served as the only physical control, allowing you to instantly return to the home screen.

The abandonment of the button began in 2017 with the release of the iPhone X. That was when Apple first introduced a smartphone without physical controls on the front panel.

In 2022, Apple discontinued production of the iPod touch, and then removed the Home button from the iPad. Despite this, in 2025 the company was still selling the third-generation iPhone SE, which still has the button.

Now all new iPhones support only gesture control, and with the release of the iPhone 16e, the company finally abandoned the Home button in all current models, thereby ending the 18-year history of one of Apple's most recognizable design elements.