The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a brand-new button on the side that can be customized to trigger a specific function. Here’s how to set up and use Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
The Action button on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone Pro Max is a force-sensitive solid-state button that can be customized to perform specific function. The Action button sits in the same place as the side switch on previous iPhones and is used with a long press.
The Action Button switches the iPhone between ring and vibrate by default, which is vital since it has replaced the ring / vibrate switch that Apple has included on the iPhone since its debut in 2007. You can even feel haptic feedback when you switch between the modes.
Apple notes that when you change the Action button to something other than controlling Silent mode, you can head to Control Center or use Focus modes to change your ringer.
While the Action button by default switches the iPhone between ring and vibrate mode, it can be programmed to do things like activating the camera, turning on the flashlight, starting a Voice Memo, opening a note, switching Focus modes, or running your own custom shortcuts. You can also set accessibility options like Magnifier.
How to use Action Button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max
Before we dig into the iPhone settings, here are the basics of the Action Button.
- To trigger most functions, you’ll need to press and hold the button.
- By default, a press and hold of the Action Button switches between sound and silent modes, much like how the original alert slider behaved.
- On a per-app basis, a single tap of the Action Button will also trigger a secondary function. For example, a single tap while the camera is open prompts the shutter. A single tap while Voice Memo is on will stop the recording.
Should you want to get more creative with the Action Button, the Settings app is where to go. Here’s how to set it up:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max.
- Scroll down and choose Action Button.
- You can set the Action button to launch:
- Silent mode (default)
- Focus mode
- Camera
- Flashlight
- Voice Memo
- Magnifier and other Accessibility features
- Shortcut
- Translate (arriving with an update "later this year")
While there are eight main features the Action button can control, being able to set it to control Accessibility shortcuts or run a custom shortcut from the Shortcuts app is huge. That means the possibilities are pretty much endless.
Some features make use of the Action button once you’re in an app too. For example, if you launch the Camera with the Action button, you can press it again to take pictures. If you launch a Voice Memo recording, you can use the Action button to stop the recording, etc.
The Action Button, though subtle, is one of few visually noticeable changes to the exterior of the iPhone in many years — alongside the new USB-C port on the bottom of the device.
FAQs
What iPhone models have the Action Button?
Only the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have the new Action Button. Older models instead have a physical alert slider that switches between sound and silent modes. Naturally, cases and covers made for previous iPhone models won’t fit on the iPhone 15 Pro series.
Can I map a third-party app to the Action Button?
You can, thanks to the Shortcut option in the Action Button menu. You first need to create a Shortcut with the desired app. Then, select it as the sequence to open when the Action Button is triggered. Due to how versatile Shortcuts can be, the possibilities for what the Action Button can do are endless.
What are you wanting to customize your Action button to control? Drop your ideas in the comments section below!
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