Best Ways to Use the Action Button on iPhone 16

With the launch of the series IPhone 16Apple has expanded the feature Actions button The “Action Button” is now available on all four models, after being limited to the Pro models last year. Apple has also added a new camera button, eliminating the need to activate the camera using the Action Button. Additionally, there are new options in Control Center that can be assigned to the Action Button, expanding the range of possibilities available. Here’s a complete guide to help you get the most out of the Action Button.

Basic functions of the action button

◉ Turn silent mode on and off, a direct replacement for the traditional silent switch.

◉ Also enable Focus, so you can set it to activate any focus mode you have set up, which is ideal for quick control of Do Not Disturb mode, and you can also schedule focus modes automatically.

◉ Turn on the camera, with the new camera control button, this option has become less important, and can be used to open the front camera while the camera control button opens the rear camera.

◉ Flashlight, a practical option for those who use the flashlight frequently, and in the iOS 18 update, turning on the flashlight is no longer mandatory through the lock screen only.

◉ Voice memos, recording starts with the first press and stops with the second press, and the iOS 18 update provides an automatic transcription feature for audio recordings, which is ideal for students, journalists, and those who need to record frequently.

◉ Translation, such as automatically listening to speech and providing translation, and it has a quick interface that does not require opening the entire application, which is ideal for travelers, but with some restrictions on the available languages.

◉ Magnifier, opens the camera with the ability to enlarge text, and you can also adjust brightness, contrast and turn on the flash, which is useful for those with vision problems.

◉ Accessibility The button can be assigned to any of the accessibility features, such as: Zoom, VoiceOver, Voice Control, Apple Watch Sync, Background Sounds, Conversation Enhancement, Live Speech, and Guided Access.

◉ Without action, there is an option to disable the button completely if you don't want to use it.

Shortcuts: Advanced customization of the action button

You can set any shortcut to be activated using the Actions button by setting up “Shortcuts”, this way users can get the most out of this feature. You can create a shortcut that opens many different applications and functions with a single tap.

For example, there is a shortcut called “Super Action Button.”Super Action ButtonIt opens a menu that lets you choose from several options such as taking a screenshot, turning on the flashlight, creating a reminder, starting a voice memo, opening Apple Maps, creating a Calendar event, scanning a document, and more.

You can also use Phone Islam tools via the shortcuts button, for example, to download videos from social media sites.

 External application support

Shortcuts created by third-party app developers also appear in the Action button shortcuts section. If you want to use the action button to do things like open a book in Audible or create a task in the Things app, you can set that up in the Shortcuts app.

Examples of useful abbreviations

There are many useful shortcuts, both from Apple’s native apps and third-party apps. Some examples include: asking ChatGPT a question, reading an audiobook, setting a timer, scanning a document, starting a Google voice search, playing music, calling someone, playing a podcast, adding a task, creating a calendar event, or even controlling Apple TV.

Important tips for use

The shortcuts available for the Action button depend on the apps you have installed and the Siri Shortcut features implemented in those apps. It's important to note that this setting is different from the Control Center controls that you can also assign to the Action button.

It can be a bit confusing, as there are different app actions in the Shortcuts app that aren't available in the Action Button settings unless you've set them up in advance. For example, you can have the Action Button start an Amazon search, but only if you've set up a shortcut for that function in advance.

How to add more functions

If you want to add a function that you don’t see in the Shortcuts interface in the Action Button settings, head to the Shortcuts app, tap the “+” button, and browse through the different app options there. When you find an app feature you want to use, like activating a Hue lighting scene, set it as a shortcut, and then you can assign it to the Action Button.

In addition to these simple options for already available apps, you can download any shortcut from the shortcut gallery or the Internet and add it to the action button.

Controls: Additional options in iOS 18

In iOS 18, Apple has opened up Control Center to third-party app developers, and added more basic Control Center options. Some of these new Control Center features can be assigned to the Action Button, and you’ll find them under the “Controls” section when you choose a function for your Action Button.

It's important to note that some Control Center controls aren't available for the Actions button. For example:

◉ There is no option to turn on power saving mode directly through the Control Center options for the Action button, but it can be achieved via shortcuts.

◉ You can turn off cellular, but not Wi-Fi, although both are available in Control Center.

Available controls

Some of the controls available in Control Center include:

◉ Activate dark mode.

◉ Open the timer interface.

◉ Scan QR code.

◉ Open an app like Instagram or Halide directly to the camera.

◉ Activate airplane mode.

◉ Turn off cellular data.

◉ Open the Home app.

◉ Start a quick note.

External application support

Controls from third-party apps are also available, many of which are similar to what you can do with their shortcuts. However:

◉ Some apps may have controls in Control Center but not shortcuts.

◉ There may be differences between what is available in each.

◉ Generally, shortcuts provide more options than controls.

Difference between shortcuts and controls

The distinction between shortcuts and controls can be confusing, especially with arbitrary restrictions. To clarify:

◉ Shortcuts allow for more customization and flexibility.

◉ Controls provide quick access to specific functions.

◉ Some features are available in both, while others are limited to one.

Tips for choosing the best

When choosing between controls and shortcuts for an action button:

◉ Controls could be faster for simple functions.

◉ Shortcuts allow for greater customization.

◉ Try both options for the same job if available to determine which one is best for you.

Lock screen controls

It's important to remember that you can now assign different controls from Control Center to the Lock Screen, replacing the traditional camera and flashlight options. It might make sense to assign some Control Center actions to the Lock Screen, allowing you to use the Actions button for another function.

Tips for better usage:

◉ Think about distributing functions between the lock screen and the action button in an integrated manner.

◉ Use the lock screen for the functions you need quickly even when the phone is locked.

◉ Assign the action button to more complex functions or those that need quick access when unlocking the phone.

Conclusion

The Action Button is a powerful addition to the iPhone 16, and with the flexibility that iOS 18 offers, its customization possibilities are nearly endless. Whether you use it for basic functions or set up complex shortcuts, customize it to suit your daily needs.

Source:

macrumors