iPhone 12 Side Buttons Hard to Press

All, I found the buttons on my iPhone 12 clear case to be unacceptably difficult to use. I tried to return the case but had waited too long. So I modified the buttons as shown in this video. It was a really easy modification and made the button force level acceptable for me. I hope it helps you too.

https://youtu.be/IUeM3hvuAsk

I have the same problem with a Gear4 Picadilly Clear case with my 12 Pro. It is so bad that it will often won’t allow double clicking the power button for app purchase confirmation and Apple Pay. On the other hand, my UAG Monarch case works fine. I thought it was a problem with the Gear4 case but after reading this thread I’m not sure.

I returned mine!

went on EBay, bought one for $13 and it works great!

There's definitely some design fault with these phones.... I bought my iPhone 12 Pro on December 22nd, opened it on the 25th, and am facing the exact same problem as listed here. This is without a case. When I put the phone in a case, the side button literally take so much force to even respond, don't even talk about Apple Pay. Even without a case, I noticed that the side button definitely does not have the same click as the volume button and seems very mushy making some type of crackling sound when pressed. My father told me that it's normal and just to live with it. However, when compared with other phones in the household such as a XR and XS, one can tell there's definitely an issue. I'm utterly disappointed with this and really regret this purchase. It was my first phone bought with my own hard-earned money and now I wish that I had waited. There are so many posts on the internet regarding the issue, so there's definitely some design issue with the phones. Apple definitely needs to initiate a recall, so that all the people affected can get a chance to actually enjoy a phone, bought for $700+

Yes! Same problem. Almost impossible to do a screen shot as well. I gave up and bought another brand case. It's less slippery and no problem at all with the buttons.

Yes! Even i have the same issue, the problem is only with the clear case.

but when i use the silicon case they are smooth and easy to press

I just cut the sections of the case where the buttons are out with an exacto knife.

This helped so much! The case needs to be broken in. Wish I had seen this post before giving my self carpal tunnel just having the case for a few hours.

I have a silicone case and find it harder to press too. In fact even without a case i thought the buttons were noticeably less responsive.

Buttons hard to press especially to do screenshots with the clear silicon case. I cut the side button opening with an exact knife which made it worse because of the plastic ridge. Ruined a new case!

Does anyone, by chance, not use a case for their new iPhone 12 and still have this issue? I feel like the side buttons just aren’t very responsive or “clicky.” I sent a note to Apple feedback but, obviously, this seems like a design fault. It’s a bummer because I had the new SE before this one and the buttons were super “clicky.”

Yes, I have the issues without a case, though for me it's really only the right side button, the volume ones seem fine. I spoke to support and they said I just needed to schedule a meeting at the genius bar, and I suspect they will just replace the phone.

I have the leather case as well and it works quite well. However, my wife purchased the iPhone 12 and got a clear case and it seems to work quite easily as far as I'm concerned. Maybe just a fluke, but I don't find the buttons difficult to press.

I have had my new iPhone 12 about 45 days and what I hate is the difficulty in using the side buttons.. they are difficult to depress. Many attempts required. And I hate the double tap for Apple Pay, it’s hit or mess when using.