How To Get The Most Out Of Your iPhone Action Button?
When Apple unveiled the iPhone 15 Pro last September, the titanium frame was the standout feature, grabbing headlines for its remarkable strength and lightweight design.
However, another feature has significantly impacted my experience with the device over the past few months: the Action Button.
This new button replaces the traditional ‘Silent' toggle switch and offers a broader range of customization options.
Users can access functions like Focus, Camera, Voice Memos, or virtually anything else through Shortcuts.
Using Shortcuts, iOS's native automation tool, iPhone users can simplify their digital tasks with a single button, resulting in some unexpectedly creative applications.
Here are a few of the most inventive ways I've employed the Action Button during my recent trials.
For an in-depth look at the device, check out our iPhone 15 Pro review.
To set up the Action Button, simply go to Settings and select Action Button, where you'll find one of iOS 17's most delightful menu screens.
Innovative Uses for the iPhone 15 Pro's Action Button
1. Record a Voice Memo
One of the Action Button's simplest yet most effective uses is turning your iPhone into a handy dictaphone.
You can start recording with just one press instead of unlocking the phone and navigating to the Voice Memos app.
This is especially useful for journalists conducting quick interviews on the go.
2. Shoot RAW Photos
The Action Button can be used for various photography tasks with the latest version of Halide, a popular AI-powered RAW photo capture app.
With the Action Button, you can switch between manual and autofocus, change lenses, adjust exposure modes, select between 12 and 48MP capture modes, enable or disable RAW capture, and even take a photo.
3. Order a Coffee
Believe it or not, you can order your favorite coffee from the Action Button. For Starbucks Rewards members, the app can remember your preferred drink.
Setting up a Shortcut with the Action Button allows you to place an order with a single press, bypassing the app and website altogether.
It's a seamless process—check out Starbucks' YouTube guide for help setting up this Shortcut on your iPhone.
4. Jot Down a Note
This feature is a lifesaver for those who constantly jot down ideas or reminders.
With the Action Button, you don't need to open the Notes app; pressing it brings up a dialogue box where you can quickly type a note. It's a time-saving tool for capturing thoughts on the fly.
5. Switch to Greyscale Mode
While primarily an accessibility feature, the greyscale mode is also popular in digital minimalism circles for its ability to reduce the appeal of your screen.
To activate this feature using the Action Button, follow these straightforward steps: First, open the Action Picker menu in the Settings app.
From there, proceed to the Accessibility section. Once in Accessibility, select “Colour Filters.”
By default, the Greyscale filter is pre-selected, but you can explore and choose from various other filters available within the main Accessibility settings.
This customization allows you to adjust your display settings to suit your preferences and needs better.

Jim's passion for Apple products ignited in 2007 when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone. This was a canon event in his life. Noticing a lack of iPad-focused content that is easy to understand even for “tech-noob”, he decided to create Tabletmonkeys in 2011.
Jim continues to share his expertise and passion for tablets, helping his audience as much as he can with his motto “One Swipe at a Time!”