The Action button, introduced with the iPhone 15 Pro models and now featured on all iPhone 16 models, offers users a customizable hardware button for quick access to various functions. With iOS 18, Apple has expanded its capabilities to include Control Center functions, which could potentially increase its utility for many users.

iOS 18 Control Center Toggles for Action Button Feature
Despite its versatility, user adoption of the Action button has been mixed. For example, in April 2024 a MacRumors survey of iPhone 15 Pro users revealed that while some found the button a "game changer," particularly for activating custom Shortcuts, over half of respondents often forgot the button is even there. The most common uses among those who did use it included activating the camera or flashlight – functions already accessible via the default Lock screen.

However, the new ability to assign Control Center functions to the Action button may change its reception, and could address common criticisms about its limited usefulness. By providing quick access to frequently used Control Center settings, it may solve the "out of sight, out of mind" problem and make the Action button more integral to your daily iPhone use. For those looking to give the Action button another chance or maximize its potential, here's how to set it up:

  1. Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
  2. Scroll down and tap Action Button.
  3. Swipe through the available actions until you reach Controls.
  4. Tap the chevrons next to "Choose a Control."
  5. Scroll through the Control Center options or use the search bar at the top to find a specific control.
  6. Tap on the desired control to assign it to the Action button.

settings

Some of the Control Center functions you can assign include Dark Mode, Airplane Mode, Cellular Data, Personal Hotspot, Quick Note, and Scan Code. Third-party app controls may also be available, depending on the apps installed on your device. Here's a full list of what's available:

  • Calculator
  • Stopwatch
  • Alarm
  • Home
  • Timer
  • Dark Mode
  • Airplane Mode
  • Cellular Data

  • Personal Hotspot
  • Open Music
  • Quick Note
  • Remote
  • Scan Code
  • Wallet
  • Tap to Cash
  • Ping My Watch

Looking at the above list, you may have noticed that not all Control Center toggles are available as Action button controls. For example, while you can assign cellular data control, Wi-Fi control is not an option. Weirdly, neither is Orientation Lock or Low Power Mode. Whether Apple plans to rectify these omissions in a future software update remains unclear. Regardless, you can still use Shortcuts to activate the missing functions.

Once you've set up your preferred Control Center function out of those that are available, you can activate it by pressing and holding the Action button. This provides a convenient way to toggle features or access tools without navigating through menus or opening the Control Center.

Apple iPhone 15 Pro lineup Action button 230912
While some users may still find it challenging to incorporate the Action button into their daily usage, experimenting with different Control Center functions could help dial in just the right amount of muscle memory that reminds you it's there.

Related Roundups: iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Pro

Top Rated Comments

SteveJobs2.0 Avatar
18 weeks ago
Can we program the action button to bring up the control screen? That would be useful.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Populus Avatar
18 weeks ago
Can’t believe that you’re still limited to just one action. Then, if you don’t want to lose the mute functionality, this button brings no improvement at all compared to the old mute switch!
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
18 weeks ago

As useful as it would be to map out some of these functions, the thing I need by far the most frequently is to toggle ring/silent. I really wish they'd just left the previous switch in place and added the Action Button, then I'd be going nuts with it, probably.

As it is, I just have a button instead of a switch, and the button is slightly worse at its job than the switch was. It's not the end of the world, but it's a questionable design decision IMO.
I am so with you on this.
As it is my work phone, I need to easily put it into ring and silent in my pocket without looking at it.
This design change makes it a pain to work with.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
B4U Avatar
18 weeks ago

You don’t need to look at it. Four quick vibrations means youve sliced the phone, whereas one means you’ve unmuted.
That is still dumb.
I can feel the switch position vs having to press the damn button multiple times to "check" and have the phone vibrate like a toy.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ignatius345 Avatar
18 weeks ago
As useful as it would be to map out some of these functions, the thing I need by far the most frequently is to toggle ring/silent. I really wish they'd just left the previous switch in place and added the Action Button, then I'd be going nuts with it, probably.

As it is, I just have a button instead of a switch, and the button is slightly worse at its job than the switch was. It's not the end of the world, but it's a questionable design decision IMO.


Can’t believe that you’re still limited to just one action. Then, if you don’t want to lose the mute functionality, this button brings no improvement at all compared to the old mute switch!
Totally. I really thought at some point they would add a way for it to recognize a quick push of the button, for one thing. Press and hold for the ringer switch, quick click for some additional function (or maybe vice versa). Doesn't seem all that hard!
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
svish Avatar
18 weeks ago
Good to see an extra option but still feel like the action button is not very useful.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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