Learn how to customize the action button on your iPhone.

What is the Action Button and which iPhone is it available on?

El Action Button It is one of the most striking new features of the latest generation of iPhones. Apple has initially included it in the iPhone 15 Pro y iPhone 15 Pro Max, and later in the whole family iPhone 16 (including the 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max). This button replaces the classic side mute switch, but its capabilities go far beyond that.

Instead of simply muting the device's sound, the Action Button can be programmed to perform a variety of functions. in the iOS operating system, which represents a significant change in the daily use of the phone and allows much more convenient access to each user's favorite options.

The list of compatible models is as follows:

iPhone 15 Pro
iPhone 15 Pro Max
iPhone 16
16 iPhone Plus
iPhone 16 Pro
iPhone 16 Pro Max

All the functions you can assign to the Action Button

One of the main advantages of Action Button is that you can decide exactly what it does when you press it. Apple has provided this button with a very intuitive and visual settings menu., which allows you to change its functionality as often as you like. These are the most notable functions you can assign:

Be quiet: Turn silent mode on or off instantly.
Modes of concentration: Allows you to quickly switch between focus modes, ideal for controlling notifications and distractions while working or studying.
Camera: Launch the camera app and activate the shutter to quickly take photos or record videos.
Flash: Use your iPhone flash as a flashlight with a single tap.
Voice Notes: Start recording a voice memo instantly or stop it when you no longer need it.
Magnifying glass: Open the Magnifier app to zoom in on any item you want to see more clearly at that moment.
Shortcuts: This is perhaps the most powerful feature, as you can run any shortcut created with Apple's Shortcuts app, opening up a world of possibilities for customizing complex actions.
Accessibility: Instant access to any accessibility setting, making the experience easier for people with special needs.
Translate: With iOS 17.2 and later, you can quickly translate content directly from Dynamic Island using the button.

As you can see, The Action Button multiplies the versatility of the iPhone and simplifies actions that previously required several steps, all with a single click. We do recommend you take a look at this other article about Apple changes the design of the iPhone 16 Pro action button again since it will complement all the updated information with this guide.

How to customize the Action Button step by step

customize the Action Button It's really simple, thanks to the intuitive interface that Apple has designed into Settings. Follow these steps to get the most out of it:

Go to Settings on your compatible iPhone.
Access the section Action Button.
Swipe left or right to see all available features and select the one that interests you most.
Confirm your choice and close the menu. Your button is now configured!

La Personalization is not limited to a single function; you can modify the action as many times as you like, adjusting it to your daily needs.

Although it seems like a minor detail, The user experience created for the Action Button menu is particularly striking., with colorful animations and clear explanations that make it easy for anyone, even those not very tech-savvy, to customize the button.

Get the most out of it with Smart Shortcuts

Undoubtedly, The option to run shortcuts is the crown jewel of the Action ButtonBy assigning a shortcut, you can automate tasks as varied as:

Activate Shazam to instantly identify music.
Switch to power-saving mode and disable non-essential features when you need to.
Open your favorite Spotify playlist.
Shorten URLs, convert images to GIFs, or perform any action supported by Shortcuts.

And the good thing is that Integration with the Shortcuts app is completeYou can program combined sequences or conditions so that the button does different things depending on the time, location, or a particular state of your iPhone.

All iPhone 16 models will have the action button

Customize the button based on your location: take automation to the next level

Can you imagine that the Action Button performs different functions depending on where you are? For example, you can use it to read your emails aloud at home, but if you're out and about, it can automatically request a Cabify or Uber ride. Thanks to the versatility of Apple Shortcuts, this is now possible.

The trick is to use action “Get distance” along with the condition "Yes" in the Shortcuts app, combining both so that the shortcut detects whether you are near your home, your office, or any address you specify, and reacts accordingly.

For example, you can configure the button like this:

If you're at home, have your emails read aloud.
If it detects that you're far from home, request a ride with your favorite app.

This functionality makes the Action Button in an Adaptive Tool, capable of making your life easier and responding to your changing routines without complications.

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How to create a shortcut that customizes the Action Button based on your location

To get the Action Button executes different tasks depending on your geographic location, follow these practical steps:

Open the application Shortcuts and press the “+” button to create a new one.
Use the search bar to add the action “Get distance”. Indicate your home, work, or any other address you wish as a reference.
Add the condition "Yes", choosing the distance variable and setting the criteria (for example, “it is less than 0,1 km” to know if you are at home or not).
In the first condition, select the action you want to perform at home (such as starting screen reading or anything else).
In the fallback condition, add the action for when you are not in that location (such as requesting a ride on Cabify, Uber, or another custom task).
Save and name your shortcut, choosing a name that is easy to remember.

Then simply assign that shortcut from Settings > Action Button > Run Shortcut and select your creation. Your iPhone will now adapt to your daily life like never before!

How to change button action based on location: practical examples

The possibilities of this feature are practically endless. Here are some ideas to inspire you and make the most of the potential of the Action Button adjusted by location:

At work: Mute all notifications or activate a special focus mode.
While driving: Activate car mode, start navigation, or launch your travel playlist.
At a friend or family member's house: Start a shared to-do list, set reminders, or launch home automation apps.
In moments of leisure: Assign an action to open camera apps, record videos, or capture memories.

The key is to experiment and customize the Action Button to your liking.There are no real limits beyond your imagination and the options that future iOS updates will add.

Beyond the Action Button: Customize from the Control Center

While Action Button is the protagonist of this guide, we must not forget the enormous customization potential offered by the Control center iOS. Through this quick menu, you can enable or disable connections (such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or AirPlay), access basic functions, and configure shortcuts to other utilities.

For example, from the Control Center you can:

Turn Wi-Fi off or on without disconnecting features like AirDrop or AirPlay.
See the name of the Wi-Fi network you're connected to by simply holding down the corresponding icon.
Quickly manage connections and settings, even during airplane mode or on the go.

This perfectly complements the Action Button and allows you to have complete, centralized control on your iPhone.

The integration of both systems makes phone use more efficient and adapts even more to your routines, without losing an ounce of simplicity.

El Action Button of the iPhone The latest not only replaces a classic Apple design detail, but reinvents it and takes it to a new level, allowing you to control everything from basic everyday functions like silencing your phone to advanced, customized tasks using shortcuts and location-based automations.

The key is to experiment with the different options and adapt the button to your own lifestyle, taking advantage of both the simple functions and the advanced capabilities of the Shortcuts app. Whether you're looking for easy access or complex automations: This small button hides enormous potential that, if properly exploited, can make your daily life easier and multiply your productivity..