How to change what the Action button does on an iPhone

2 min read · 5 steps · Updated 2 October 2026

Short answer

Open Settings and tap Action Button. Swipe sideways through the choices, such as Silent Mode, Camera, Torch or Shortcut, and stop on the one you want. Press and hold the button to use it.

The Action button sits above the volume buttons, where older iPhones have the ring and silent switch. Out of the box it switches Silent mode on and off, but it can do something else instead.

Menu names are from iOS 26. The pictures are simplified diagrams of the screen, not screenshots.

Step by step

  1. Check that your iPhone has one

    The Action button is on iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max, on every iPhone 16 and later, and on iPhone 16e and 17e.

  2. SettingsGeneral›Accessibility›Action Button›Camera›

    Open Settings and tap Action Button

    It is in the group with General and Accessibility.

  3. Swipe to choose an action

    The choices include Silent Mode, Focus, Camera, Torch, Voice Memo, Translate, Magnifier, Controls, Shortcut and No Action.

  4. Set the details

    Some actions have a menu below the picture. For Camera, choose Photo, Selfie or Video. For Shortcut, choose which shortcut runs.

  5. Press and hold the Action button

    A short press only shows a hint. Hold it until you feel a tap.

Good to know

If the button no longer controls Silent mode, use the bell in Control Centre, or Settings, Sounds & Haptics, to silence the phone.

With Shortcut you can open any app or start a chain of actions, which makes the button far more flexible.

Choose No Action if you keep pressing it by accident.

In short: Settings, Action Button, swipe to the action. Press and hold to use it.

Sources
  • Apple Support: Use the Action button, side button, and other controls on your iPhone
  • Apple Support: Use and customize the Action button on iPhone

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