# Add Bookrise controls to Control Center

> Start a reading session, scan a book or open a reading list from Control Center, your Lock Screen or the Action button on iOS 18 and later.

Source: https://bookrise.app/help/control-center/ · Updated 2026-10-27

Start a reading session, scan your next book or open a reading list from Control Center. On iPhone, you can also put a Bookrise control on your Lock Screen or Action button.

Controls need iOS 18 or later on iPhone, or iPadOS 18 or later on iPad.

## Add a control to Control Center

1. Open Control Center by swiping down from the top-right corner of the screen. On an iPhone with a Home button, swipe up from the bottom instead.
2. Tap **+** in the top-left corner, or touch and hold an empty area.
3. Tap **Add a Control**.
4. Search for **Bookrise** and tap a control, such as **Reading**.
5. Drag it where you want it, then tap an empty area to finish.

## Add a control to your iPhone's Lock Screen

You can replace either of the two controls at the bottom of your Lock Screen. These are the flashlight and camera by default.

1. Touch and hold the Lock Screen, then tap **Customize** → **Lock Screen**.
2. Tap **−** on the control you want to replace.
3. Tap **+** in the empty space, search for **Bookrise** and choose a control.
4. Tap **Done**.

## Use the Action button

If your iPhone has an Action button:

1. Open your iPhone's **Settings** app and tap **Action Button**.
2. Swipe to **Controls** and tap **Choose a Control**.
3. Search for **Bookrise** and choose a control, such as **Reading**.

Press and hold the Action button to use your chosen control. With **Reading**, that starts, pauses or resumes your reading timer.

## Choose a control

| Control              | What it does                                                                                                  |
| -------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Reading**          | Starts, pauses or resumes the reading timer. It shows your book's title and whether you're reading or paused. |
| **Scan Book (ISBN)** | Opens the barcode scanner in Bookrise so you can add a book.                                                  |
| **Reading Books**    | Opens the books you're reading now.                                                                           |
| **Want to Read**     | Opens the books you'd like to read.                                                                           |
| **Finished Books**   | Opens the books you've finished.                                                                              |
| **Abandoned Books**  | Opens the books you've put down.                                                                              |
| **Favorite Books**   | Opens your favorite books.                                                                                    |

The **Reading** control starts a session for the book you read last. If a session is already running or paused, it controls that session instead.

You can start, pause or resume reading without opening Bookrise. On iPhone, the session also appears as a Live Activity on your Lock Screen and in the Dynamic Island. Tap **Finish** there to open Bookrise and save your progress.

> [!TIP]
> Your controls, the **Currently Reading** widget and Siri all use the same session. Say "Start reading in Bookrise" or "Pause reading in Bookrise" to control it by voice. [Explore Siri and Shortcuts](/help/siri-and-shortcuts/).

## FAQ

### Which book does the Reading control time?

It starts a session for the book you read last. If a session is already running or paused, the control pauses or resumes that same session.

### Why can't I find Bookrise controls in Control Center?

Bookrise controls need iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later. On iOS 17, you can start reading with a Bookrise widget or Siri.

### Does the Reading control open Bookrise?

No. It starts, pauses or resumes your reading timer in place. Open Bookrise when you're ready to finish and save your progress.