Apple revealed the all-new Physical Action Button in 2023, exclusively on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max. It lets you quickly turn certain settings off and on without having to fumble around on your screen.
This year, Apple once again introduced a new button – the Camera Control Button – for the entire iPhone 16 series. The company also introduced the Action Button on all non-Pro models of the iPhone 16.
If you own an iPhone 15 Pro or 15 Pro Max, or recently purchased one of the iPhone 16 models, like the iPhone 16 Plus and iPhone 16 Pro Max, you may be wondering what you can do with the Action button.
Is it useful and worth promoting, or is it better not to use it?
Here’s everything you need to know about the Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 16.
The iPhone 16, with 5G technology, is compatible with all carriers and sports a sleek design with a USB Type-C connector. Equipped with a high-performance A18 chip, it offers advanced features, including an improved ultra-wide-angle camera and the latest photographic styles for exceptional quality images. With up to 22 hours of video playback, iPhone 16 delivers a smooth, long-lasting experience, while being built to withstand the challenges of everyday life.
What is the Action button on iPhone?
Apple first added the Action button to the two Pro models of the iPhone 15 series, the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. It has now integrated it across the entire iPhone 16 series. The Action button has replaced the Ring/Silent switch that has been on the iPhone for years, providing more setting options than just putting your device on mute. It’s located at the top left of your phone, just above the volume controls.
photo credit: Lisa Eadicicco/CNET The Action button is a small but powerful addition to the iPhone.
What can you do with the iPhone Action button?
In the settings, you can choose which function the Action button should perform when pressed:
- Switch from silent mode to ring mode
- Enable “Do Not Disturb” and other focus modes
- Open the Camera app
- Turn on the flashlight
- Record a voice memo
- Recognize music with Shazam
- Translate a conversation you have with someone
- Turn your iPhone into a magnifying glass to zoom in on objects near you
- Quickly access your favorites in Control Center (calculator, alarm, dark mode, etc.)
- Run a shortcut
- Use an accessibility feature
You can even choose to select no actions, so the button does nothing when pressed.
How to configure the Action button?
By default, the Action button toggles between silent mode and ring mode when pressed.
If you want to change what the button does, go to Settings > Action Button and scroll through the available options. If a certain setting has variations, you will see a button with arrows below it. Tapping on it will bring up a menu of options.
photo credit: Nelson Aguilar/CNET The camera setting allows you to open the device in selfie, portrait and video modes.
For example, the camera setting can open your device in photo, selfie, video, portrait and portrait selfie modes. With the accessibility setting, you can choose to enable color filters, reduce motion sickness when you’re in a car, enable magnifying glass, and more. The Control Center setting lets you start your timer, set an alarm, enable dark mode, put your phone in airplane mode, and more.
Is that all you can do with the Action button?
Yes, but if you’re familiar with the Shortcuts app, you can get creative and make the Action button perform virtually any action you want. In the Shortcuts app, you can create shortcuts to quickly perform a specific action, then associate them with the Action button.
For example, you can create a shortcut to use ChatGPT with Siri. You can also create a shortcut to use the “Circle to Search” feature on your iPhone.
If you don’t want to create your own shortcut, the app offers a large number of predefined shortcuts. Better yet, you can download third-party shortcuts from RoutineHub, Reddit and other websites. These third-party shortcuts can be used to download videos from X (formerly Twitter), generate complex passwords, bypass paywalls, and much more, which you can then assign to your Action button.
photo credit: Screenshot by Nelson Aguilar/CNET Take full advantage of the Action button with shortcuts.
Apple’s iPhone 16 Plus is compatible with 5G, it is distinguished by its typical design of the brand with a USB Type-C connector and a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR screen. Equipped with the high-performance A18 chip and the 48 MP Fusion camera, it captures high-resolution photos with precise control tools for videos and macro photos. Its battery provides up to 27 hours of video playback, and iOS 18 introduces customizable features, like changing icon colors and animated effects in Messages.
