On the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max the ring/silent switch has been replaced by a button. Not just any button… the ‘Action Button’.
How The Action Button Works
Out of the box the Action Button is set to Ring/Silent. If you’re more adventurous, there are eight other options to try.
- Tap Settings
- Tap Action Button
- Swipe left or right to choose the mode you want.
Press down and hold the Action button to turn a mode on or off.
Don’t be concerned about losing Ring/Silent capability. You can easily turn this on and off from Control Center.
Focus
Focus lets you create and customize Do Not Disturb modes. If you haven’t tried it, you’re missing out on a truly great feature.
You can create a Focus to stop all calls, messages, and notifications while you sleep, but allow calls or notifications from people or Apps you specify. So you can rest easy, knowing your kids can reach you, but spam calls can’t.
The Focus action button turns on a single Focus mode.
Camera
Press and hold the Action Button to open Camera. Once open, the Action Button becomes the shutter button. Choose between Photo, Selfie, Video, Portrait, or Portrait Selfie.
Flashlight
Turn Flashlight on and off.
Voice Memo
Press and hold the Action Button to take a Voice Memo.
Magnifier
Use Magnifier to view and take photos of hard-to-read text, e.g.; menus, drug instructions, and anything else that’s so small it makes your blood boil.
Translate
Action Button activates the Translate App. Choose from 20 languages.
Shortcut
The Action Button lets you choose a Shortcut. Shortcuts instruct the iPhone to follow a pre-set list of instructions. e.g.; Set a timer for 1 hour, or Play the Beatles playlist.
Creating Shortcuts requires practice and the willingness to spend some time watching instructional YouTube videos. Well worth it if you like to tinker with your iPhone… or Mac.
Accessibility
The Action Button lets you choose from a wide range of vision, hearing, or motor Accessibility features.
No Action
The Action Button takes no action… Wow.
Have a great week.
