Wesley Hilliard
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.
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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9 Comments
I don't really need any of that
I assume it can do two functions? Long press to toggle mute and "regular" press to trigger a custom action?
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!
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.