iPhone Action Button: Make it Twice as Useful
I recently had the opportunity to test out the new iPhone 17 for a review on Tech Advisor, and I must say, I am thoroughly impressed. The base model this year is truly exceptional, with upgrades that bring it very close to the Pro model while maintaining the same price point as last year, but with added storage capacity.
As someone who was using the iPhone 14 as my daily driver before switching to the latest model, I am now able to experience features like Dynamic Island and the Action button, and I am thoroughly enjoying them.
One key feature that I have been exploring is the Action button, located on the top left side of the iPhone. Apple offers a range of default actions for this button, such as toggling Silent Mode, switching to Focus mode, turning on the torch, magnifying, identifying songs, or translating. However, I wanted my Action button to do more than just one thing or something entirely different.
Initially, I had set it to Shazam for quickly identifying songs, but I also wanted the ability to instantly silence my phone for meetings or in the cinema. While Back Taps could be used for this purpose, I found them to be a bit unreliable as it was easy to accidentally trigger them.
This is where shortcuts come in handy. Now, with just a press of the Action button, I can Shazam a song, silence my phone, or even turn off my bedside light.
Setting up shortcuts is a simple process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
1. Open the Shortcuts folder:
If you can’t find it on your homepage, simply do an app search to locate it. The Shortcuts icon looks like this:
2. Create a new folder:
In the Shortcuts library, go to the Library tab and click on the new folder icon in the top right corner of the screen. Name your new folder and choose an icon to help you identify it.
3. Choose what you want your Action button to do:
Once you have created your folder, it will appear in the Shortcuts library under Folders and All Shortcuts. Click on it, then on the plus symbol to add new actions. You can use the search box to find specific actions.
4. Set up your Action button:
After adding all the desired actions, go to the main Settings menu, scroll down to Action Button, and choose the Shortcut option. Select the Action button shortcut you created earlier.
5. You’re done!
Now, when you press your Action button, you will have access to the actions you set up.
With these customizable shortcuts, you can make your iPhone experience even more tailored to your needs and preferences. Give it a try and see how it enhances your daily use of the iPhone 17.
