Pick the perfect Action Button assignment for your iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, or 16 Pro Max — based on how you actually use your phone.
Single press launches Camera in your last-used mode. Long-press starts a video. Best for active photographers — saves 2 taps and unlocks the lock screen camera 1 second faster than the lock screen icon. iPhone 16 Pro pairs this with the Camera Control button for a true two-button camera workflow.
Toggles flashlight on/off. Most useful at night, walking dogs, finding keys, working under sinks, fixing things in dim spaces. Saves a swipe down to Control Center.
Starts recording instantly. Press again to stop. Perfect for journalists, podcasters, students, songwriters who want to capture an idea in 1 second before it's gone.
The traditional mute switch behavior. Toggles between Silent and Ring. Good if you used the old switch frequently and don't need the deeper customization.
Toggles a Focus mode (Work, Sleep, Personal, Do Not Disturb, Driving). Single tap turns it on/off. Best for people who work from home and need a clear "in a meeting / out of meeting" toggle.
Opens Apple Translate in conversation mode. Useful for travel or multilingual workplaces. Press once, hold the phone toward the speaker, listen to the translation.
Opens iPhone's built-in magnifier with the camera. Reads small text on menus, prescription bottles, appliance labels. Excellent accessibility option for low vision.
Runs ANY Apple Shortcut. This is the power-user setting — chain together actions like "start workout + open Spotify + reduce notifications" with one press.
Triggers VoiceOver, Magnifier, Color Filters, Live Speech, Detection Mode, or any other accessibility feature you've enabled.
Opens front camera, takes a photo after 2-second delay, sends via iMessage to a chosen contact. Perfect for quick check-ins.
Turn Personal Hotspot on/off in one press. Great for laptop users on the go.
Begins Outdoor Run workout on Apple Watch, starts your running playlist, enables Do Not Disturb. One button = full run mode.
Drops a pin at your current location, names it "Car," sends you a reminder when you re-enter the area. No more "where did I park."
Turns off lights via HomeKit, enables Sleep Focus, plays sleep sounds, sets alarm. One press = bedtime.
Starts dictation directly into Apple Notes. Output saves to a "Quick Capture" folder. Faster than opening Notes manually.
Takes a photo, extracts text via Live Text, runs through Apple Translate. Read foreign menus, signs, labels.
Sends current location to a designated emergency contact via Messages. Useful safety feature for nighttime walks.
iPhone 16 Pro has BOTH an Action Button (left side) and a Camera Control button (right side, below sleep/wake). They work together:
Step 1. Open Settings → Action Button.
Step 2. Swipe through the 9 options at the top — your iPhone shows a live preview of what the Action Button will do.
Step 3. If you pick Shortcut, tap the white area below to choose which Shortcut runs.
Step 4. If you pick Focus or Accessibility, tap the white area to choose which one.
Step 5. Exit Settings — your choice saves automatically.
Step 6. Test it! Press and HOLD the Action Button (top of left side, below the volume buttons) for ~1 second. Short taps don't trigger it on purpose — to prevent accidental fires in your pocket.