Use and customize the Action button on iPhone (2024)

1. On supported models, go to Settings> Action Button.

   See Also

   Use the buttons and screen on your Apple Watch – Apple Support (UK)Make purchases using Apple PayIf double tap isn't working on your Apple Watch - Apple SupportHow to customize double tap on the Apple Watch

   An image of the side of the iPhone appears with icons representing actions you can assign to the Action button.

   

2. To choose an action, swipe to the action you want to use—its name appears below the dots.

   Tip: To customize the Action button to put iPhone in Silent mode, swipe to . To choose another action, swipe to it.

3. If there are additional options for the selected action, appears below the action; tap it to see the list of options.

   For the Controls, Shortcut, and Accessibility actions, you need to tap the button below the action and select a specific option—otherwise the Action button does nothing.

   Icon			Action
   			Silent Mode: Switch between Silent and Ring for calls and alerts.
   			Focus: Turn on a Focus to silence notifications and filter out distractions.
   			Camera: Open the Camera app to capture a moment.
   			Flashlight: Turn on extra light when you need it.
   			Voice Memo: Record personal notes, musical ideas, and more.
   			Recognize Music: Find out what song is playing nearby or on your iPhone with Shazam.
   			Translate: Translate phrases or have a conversation with someone in another language.
   			Magnifier: Turn your iPhone into a magnifying glass to zoom in on and detect objects near you.
   			Controls: Quickly access your favorite control.
   			Shortcut: Open an app or run your favorite shortcut.
   			Accessibility: Quickly use an accessibility feature.
   No Action			Do nothing.

To perform the action assigned to the Action button, press and hold the Action button.

For many functions, the Action button can be used to turn a setting on or off. For example, if the selected action is Silent Mode, you can press and hold the Action button to put iPhone in Silent mode . If you press and hold the Action button again, it turns off Silent mode.

You can assign a Control Center control to the Action button, and then turn the control on or off just by using the Action button.

1. Go to Settings> Action Button.

2. Swipe to the Controls action, then tap Choose a Control.

3. Scroll through the controls or search for the control you want by entering it in the search field above the controls.

4. Tap the control you want to add.

   For example, you can assign Dark Mode to the Action button by tapping . Then you can turn Dark Mode on or off by pressing and holding the Action button.