Everything the iPhone 15 Pro Action button can do

AppleInsider

The Action button replaces the mute switch on iPhone 15 Pro and it can be set to perform several actions based on the user's needs -- including Shortcuts. Here's what it can do.

Choose between many options for the Action button

Apple has increased the versatility of its hardware buttons with the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. Users can set specific functions to the button that activate with haptic feedback and information displayed on the Dynamic Island.

By default, the Action button is still a mute toggle. A single press mutes the device then another press unmutes.

Apple didn't spend much time explaining this feature during the Wonderlust event, but its functionality can be tied to many features at launch.

From the glyph shown in the image above, Apple says users can control the following:

• Mute toggle


• Focus Mode toggle


• Launch Camera app


• Launch Voice Memos


• Flashlight toggle


• Launch Translate


• Launch Magnifier


• Perform Shortcut


• Activate Accessibility feature

The last two, Shortcuts and Accessibility, provide the widest range of options for users. Attaching any Shortcut or Accessibility option to the Action button can give users an unlimited range of controls of their iPhone.

For example, third-party apps won't need to have direct access to the Action button. Users can create a simple Shortcut that launches the app, and some apps have specific Shortcuts for launching directly into features.

The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max go up for pre-order on September 15. Initial shipments and in-store availability begin on September 22.

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cpsro

I don't really need any of that

djs71a

I assume it can do two functions? Long press to toggle mute and "regular" press to trigger a custom action?

kdupuis77

Man, the ability to whip out the phone and press one button to get your camera rolling does sound nice... But not for the price given I've got a 14 Pro Max already. I straight up turned off the "always-on" screen of my iPhone during a recent trip overseas as it was interfering with my ability to pick up the phone and hard-press into the camera app from the Lock Screen consistently. I had to keep tapping the screen to fully wake it up then long press, not great when trying to catch something fast. Sounds like a good usage case for the new button at least next time I upgrade. Super happy to see the Roadside assistance via satellite functionality is also coming to the iPhone 14 series!

command_f

The button has also lost functionality: with the 'old' slider switch, you can glance at it (without waking the phone's display) and see whether mute is on or off. You can also feel the setting (if your memory's good enough) and you can't get confounded by accidentally pressing it twice since it's a slider switch. I regret the change.

But I guess if you don't go to the cinema, theatre, library or meetings then one of the other functions may be more valuable.

eightzero

cpsro said:

I don't really need any of that

Me neither. But I'm gonna buy a pro one for this anyway. I'm kinda curious if apps will be able to use it and/or change how it functions for system actions.

williamlondon

cpsro said:

I don't really need any of that

Oh lookie here, least valuable comment on the internet. Put the fucking mirror down.

baconstang

Oh great.  Another way to accidentally turn on the camera...

ktappe

cpsro said:

I don't really need any of that

Wait...you don't do ANY of those things with your iPhone? If true, one wonders why you even have one. 

Xed

baconstang said:

Oh great.  Another way to accidentally turn on the camera...

Then don’t enable that option. The bellyaching with this option is unreal. The only legitimate issue noted is not being able to visually see the state on the side of the device.