The Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max is one of those small elements that has caused the most controversy in recent Apple phones . The reason is that many accuse the accessory of being practically useless, not to mention those who complain that it isn't even included in the iPhone 15 lineup.
In any case, the Action Button has more possibilities than you might initially think, and today we're going to explain them to you so you can get the most out of it.
Basic Action Button Settings
Although these functions are the ones we already know, it doesn't hurt to review them all and keep them in mind. Apple allows you to customize the phone button by going to Settings and then selecting Action Button (you have it in the third block of options).
These are the basic actions you can choose:
- Silent mode: Switch between Silent and Ring for calls and alerts. It is the one that is selected by default.
- Concentration mode- Allows you to silence notifications and reduce distractions.
- Camera: Open the camera app and go directly to a mode that can be Photo, Selfie, Video, Portrait or Portrait Mode Selfie.
- Flashlight: As indicated, turn on the torch.
- Voice note: You can immediately start recording a voice memo.
- Magnifying glass: By activating this function you can use the camera and see what you want in magnification.
- Shortcut: Open an app or run a shortcut that you select.
- Accessibility: to quickly use this function.
- No action- As the name suggests, it renders the button unusable.
Using the Action Button with Shortcuts
The fun, however, begins when we delve into greater "complexity" with the use of Shortcuts. This is where you can really get much more out of this key, since with a long press you can initiate a chain of actions that lead you to a final task.
Shortcuts are so diverse that we can't give you examples of everything here, but we will show you how to configure the button and the steps to follow to access the ones you are interested in quickly and generally.
How to open an app with Shortcuts from the Action Button
This is what you have to do to open any phone application from this key:
- Go to Settings
- Enter Action Button
- Select Shortcut and, once inside, choose Open an app
- Choose the app you want to open when you touch the button
Every time you press the Action Button, the app you want and that is most useful to you will directly open.
How to access your own Shortcuts “Control Center”
As explained on Android Authority – the source we used as a guide for this tutorial – a very interesting solution that lets you get a lot out of the famous button is creating your own "Control Center ." This way, every time you press the button, you'll have direct access to all the shortcuts you're interested in, allowing you to choose the one you want at any given time.
To create this sort of "menu" of Shortcuts, the first thing you have to do is create a shortcut folder for them:
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Go to the upper left corner and touch where it says "Shortcuts" to go to a higher level of the app.
- Tap on the icon create a new folder (Right upper corner).
- Name it and choose an icon to represent it.
- Tap "Add." You will return to the main Shortcuts page from before.
- Tap on «All Shortcuts» (if you swipe down, you will see the new folder at the bottom).
- Click "Edit" in the upper right corner and tap on the shortcuts that interest you.
- In the lower area you will see an option that is "Move."
- Tap it and you can place the shortcuts you want in the new folder you created.
Okay, you now have the Shortcuts in the folder. Now you need to direct the Action Button to that specific folder. To do this:
- Go to Settings
- Tap on Action Button
- Select Shortcuts
- In the search bar put the name of the folder. You can also tap on “Show folder…”.
- Select the folder.
Now, when you long-press our main button, you'll see a display of the Shortcuts you're interested in, which you can place in a folder like a "Control Center".
These are just a few glimpses of the possibilities this button offers. Its integration with Shortcuts is undoubtedly one of its biggest draws and, perhaps at the same time, one of the least known aspects of the new iPhone 15 Pro. From now on, though, that won't be a mystery to you.