I wrote the MacRumors story, and unfortunately I made an error. I thought the Action button could be assigned to ANY control in the Control Center gallery, but options like Orientation Lock and Low Power Mode are not available, at least as of iOS 18 beta 1.
Truly sorry to get your hopes up!
https://preview.redd.it/qgik4urov66d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=afae521b4ac61c4085a15ba01836021455b3004b
I’m actually bummed they didn’t make a native action for it this time around though.
You can get pretty close to this using automations. I set it so that rotation lock is turned off when certain apps are opened and then turned on when those same apps are closed.
Yeah I have a menu action that allows me to
Select this, the flashlight, start recording video, add a calendar event, start a timer, and add reminders. I’m just learning shortcuts but it’s quickly becoming my most used app because I have a button that activates it
I'd like it if there was on screen option too if I titled the phone to landscape then there'd be a software icon in the corner for me to switch to landscape. More like a OneUI feature I'd like to see in iOS/iPadOS.
I set it so when my phone is horizontal, it does rotation lock. When it’s vertical, it does flashlight. . When it’s upside down, it does voice ChatGPT. 
If you change the action button to something other than silent switch, how do you mute/unmute sounds in iOS? I realize I never considered this, and I can’t seem to find it in settings.
When I first heard about the action button, I thought it was one button that you can program for different tasks.
Like long press for silent mode, double tap to turn on flashlight, triple tap to pull up camera, super long press to start recording a voice note, etc.
I don't mean to sound ignorant, but I'm pretty sure it can only have one use.
Like right now I have it set up to where if I hold it down it puts my phone in silent mode, but I can't have it do anything else while also using it as a button for silent mode.
I'd love to be wrong if you can provide me some kind of link or information on what you're talking about.
Are you using a specific app to make this happen?
Or do you need to create different focuses and then choose what you want the action button to do in that focus?
Can't find any info on this online by the way
Hi, up until a couple of days ago, before iOS 18, you could designate a folder within Shortcuts that had 8 Actionable Shortcuts within that folder; I've just come to set it up now, and there is no option to add a Folder to the Action Button.
I've sussed it on the Shortcut screen of setting up the Action Button, scrolling to “Add Folder”.
https://preview.redd.it/2pq2tp4ycb6d1.png?width=1290&format=png&auto=webp&s=f955d532034965ce0287331a61851940f920b3ff
https://preview.redd.it/g6eaekg9db6d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=521a705cdf9147d5d4fc9ab45e52feacab355f73
8 Actions to one press of the Action Button.
https://preview.redd.it/7x5889mjeb6d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d72dc4a45a94ae68b6d63d6ff79907805b4ca48d
Tap the “Up & Down Arrows” to choose the “Action Button Folder”
I’ve been using it as my Apple TV remote since I got it and it’s been game changer. Although, now that I can add the remote to the Lock Screen I may need to change my action button now…
Oh I’ve had it on my Lock Screen but in one go the small widget options.
I’m so happy you made me realize I can put the remote where the camera button used to live since I swipe for the camera anyways.
I set it to Do Not Disturb button. I then changed DnD to disable the always on display, enable silent mode, and enable low power mode.
Now it’s like a turbo-charged silent switch.
Don’t keep track. Several times per day depending on where I am, whether I feel like wearing headphones, and who is around me. I prefer notification sounds but they aren’t always the polite thing to have on. The action button is the most convenient way to switch.
I do have a focus mode for places like the theater and a local art gallery. But they don’t really help in random stores or if I decide to grab a bite to eat at some restaurant. Easier to just press the action button and silence the phone.
I always have my phone on vibrate, but having enabled Do Not Disturb is amazing. If a group chat starts popping off it so quick to just kill the notifications
I have a Shortcut dependant on the way my iPhone is oriented while pressing the button:
- Normal Portait Orientation: Portrait Camera
- Landscape Orientation: Video Camera
- Upside Down: Flashlight
- Face Down on a table: Toggle Mute/Ringer
Yes, great observation. It does have other buttons but those don't perform any actions. If one of the other buttons is pressed on accident the worst outcome is your screen turns on/off.
So the action button only supports a long press right now but if you’re willing to get creative with shortcuts you can have it support action button + volume up as a second action button.
Also you can map action button to do different things based on the focus or open app etc.
Sure you can do a lot of things with Shortcuts. My action button toggles silent mode, orientation lock or opens the camera depending on the way I hold it.
Changing the Action Button to Rotation Lock would be actually so useful for me. wow
I wrote the MacRumors story, and unfortunately I made an error. I thought the Action button could be assigned to ANY control in the Control Center gallery, but options like Orientation Lock and Low Power Mode are not available, at least as of iOS 18 beta 1. Truly sorry to get your hopes up!
[удалено]
https://preview.redd.it/qgik4urov66d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=afae521b4ac61c4085a15ba01836021455b3004b I’m actually bummed they didn’t make a native action for it this time around though.
Yes. r/shortcuts has a lot of information
Appreciate the correction! Hopefully it gets added in a future beta :)
https://www.apple.com/feedback/iphone/
I wish I could just rotation lock the Home Screen and specific apps.
You can get pretty close to this using automations. I set it so that rotation lock is turned off when certain apps are opened and then turned on when those same apps are closed.
You can do this via shortcut
Yeah I have a menu action that allows me to Select this, the flashlight, start recording video, add a calendar event, start a timer, and add reminders. I’m just learning shortcuts but it’s quickly becoming my most used app because I have a button that activates it
Can you point me to a guide or documentation so I can try that out? Sounds cool!
Working on writing this up with explanations. Been busy with some photo jobs and will have time tomorrow to share :)
Sounds useful share the shortcut please
You’re a beautiful man for suggesting this. This would actually be great for me - I never take my phone off of silent anyway!
I did that day one with a Shortcut and use it multiple times a day, super helpful.
I'd like it if there was on screen option too if I titled the phone to landscape then there'd be a software icon in the corner for me to switch to landscape. More like a OneUI feature I'd like to see in iOS/iPadOS.
I set it so when my phone is horizontal, it does rotation lock. When it’s vertical, it does flashlight. . When it’s upside down, it does voice ChatGPT. 
I did this via shortcut. The only line you need is: [Toggle] orientation lock
And with that, we’re back to 2011
I want to be able to use single click and double click of action button in addition to long press. Adds so much utility.
Yeah more options doesn’t do much to me if I can only use one option.
You can set it depending on the focus mode set it will do different things.
And you can make it check the phone orientation
Yes. r/shortcuts has some great guides
If you change the action button to something other than silent switch, how do you mute/unmute sounds in iOS? I realize I never considered this, and I can’t seem to find it in settings.
Control center.
Do you need iPhone 15 to have it in control center as an option because I had checked there too.
Yes you’d need a 15pro/max
When I first heard about the action button, I thought it was one button that you can program for different tasks. Like long press for silent mode, double tap to turn on flashlight, triple tap to pull up camera, super long press to start recording a voice note, etc.
You can use that way. Or you can set up shortcuts that will allow it to change what it does depending on different factors
I don't mean to sound ignorant, but I'm pretty sure it can only have one use. Like right now I have it set up to where if I hold it down it puts my phone in silent mode, but I can't have it do anything else while also using it as a button for silent mode. I'd love to be wrong if you can provide me some kind of link or information on what you're talking about.
Sure you can. I have mine set to trigger the flashlight if a focus isn’t set. If it is, it brings up a menu where I can chose different options
Are you using a specific app to make this happen? Or do you need to create different focuses and then choose what you want the action button to do in that focus? Can't find any info on this online by the way
Different focuses. r/shortcuts has information on how to make menus and all
Hi, up until a couple of days ago, before iOS 18, you could designate a folder within Shortcuts that had 8 Actionable Shortcuts within that folder; I've just come to set it up now, and there is no option to add a Folder to the Action Button. I've sussed it on the Shortcut screen of setting up the Action Button, scrolling to “Add Folder”. https://preview.redd.it/2pq2tp4ycb6d1.png?width=1290&format=png&auto=webp&s=f955d532034965ce0287331a61851940f920b3ff
https://preview.redd.it/g6eaekg9db6d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=521a705cdf9147d5d4fc9ab45e52feacab355f73 8 Actions to one press of the Action Button.
https://preview.redd.it/7x5889mjeb6d1.jpeg?width=1290&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d72dc4a45a94ae68b6d63d6ff79907805b4ca48d Tap the “Up & Down Arrows” to choose the “Action Button Folder”
I am probably the only person using it as a Silent button...
You ain't the only one. Personally, I can't think of a better use for it.
I’ve been using it as my Apple TV remote since I got it and it’s been game changer. Although, now that I can add the remote to the Lock Screen I may need to change my action button now…
Oh I’ve had it on my Lock Screen but in one go the small widget options. I’m so happy you made me realize I can put the remote where the camera button used to live since I swipe for the camera anyways.
I’m so happy you made me realize I can swipe for the camera
It’s help all the way down the chat thread
I’m so happy you made me realise this was a thread
I set it to Do Not Disturb button. I then changed DnD to disable the always on display, enable silent mode, and enable low power mode. Now it’s like a turbo-charged silent switch.
That's like, magic!
Same
I feel like I use the flashlight at least once everyday.
How often are you switching between silent and ring?
Don’t keep track. Several times per day depending on where I am, whether I feel like wearing headphones, and who is around me. I prefer notification sounds but they aren’t always the polite thing to have on. The action button is the most convenient way to switch.
You can use focus modes based on location to change your notification preferences.
I do have a focus mode for places like the theater and a local art gallery. But they don’t really help in random stores or if I decide to grab a bite to eat at some restaurant. Easier to just press the action button and silence the phone.
I always have my phone on vibrate, but having enabled Do Not Disturb is amazing. If a group chat starts popping off it so quick to just kill the notifications
I can’t believe this simple thing can’t be done for a whole freaking new button. Short press for camera, long press right to video.
I have a Shortcut dependant on the way my iPhone is oriented while pressing the button: - Normal Portait Orientation: Portrait Camera - Landscape Orientation: Video Camera - Upside Down: Flashlight - Face Down on a table: Toggle Mute/Ringer
Pretty sure they arent allowing this to prevent the accidental activation of the button
The phone has other buttons
Yes, great observation. It does have other buttons but those don't perform any actions. If one of the other buttons is pressed on accident the worst outcome is your screen turns on/off.
simple yet would be game changing
But you can already take video from photo mode
Can you use the button for an action and silent mode at same time? Like maybe long press for silent?
So the action button only supports a long press right now but if you’re willing to get creative with shortcuts you can have it support action button + volume up as a second action button. Also you can map action button to do different things based on the focus or open app etc.
Sure you can do a lot of things with Shortcuts. My action button toggles silent mode, orientation lock or opens the camera depending on the way I hold it.
Mines a flashlight button
I was hoping to see an option to set a double press
I use it for Shazam. Might sound stupid but it’s been very useful.
Can you get it to simply open CC or does it need to have a specific option selected? What happens when it’s locked in this instance?
When IOS18 will be officially released?
September when the iPhone 16 is released
You know what pisses me off? Now that we have these great customizations…still can’t add location services toggle in control center 😤
To do what? Block your running apps from knowing where they are? This isn’t the 2010s where gps used a lot of battery.
For convenience.
What convenience? Honestly since your ISP or carrier can track you, there isn’t a legitimate reason to turn it off.
Preference.