The Action button is pretty cool and Apple did a good thing by introducing the Action button, and the Camera Control button, on all iPhone 16 models. You can assign any control from the Control Center to the Action button (something previously wasn’t possible). While that is all good and dandy, it is still limited to performing one action at a time. However, there is a neat little hack using the Shortcuts app using which, you can launch up to 8 apps or shortcuts with the Action button on your iPhone.
Note: New to the iPhone 16 series or haven’t used the Action button yet? Here’s a guide to get you started with the Action button.
Using Shortcuts With Action Button
The problem is that you can assign only one task to the Action button at a time. Changing the task from the Settings is a hassle no one wants. If you assign flashlight option to Action button, you can enable/disable the flashlight using the Action button and that’s about it. Useful but limiting. I wish Apple had added a way to double or triple presses so you can assign at least three tasks to the same button.
Apple’s Shortcuts app is one of the apps that you can launch using the Action button. This opens up so many possibilities. Shortcuts is an automation app where you can set conditions that when met will execute a task automatically. The Shortcuts app is configurable and can launch many iPhone apps, open settings, and execute actions. But then, you can automate tasks such that little to no manual intervention is needed.
So, how about we set the Action button to launch a shortcut designed inside the Shortcuts app? You can create a folder that contains up to 8 apps or shortcuts and assign that folder to the Action button. Why 8? Because Shortcuts app doesn’t allow more than that. Now, every time you press the Action button, it will open that Shortcuts folder and you can choose which action to perform. Sure, it adds a step but then you get so many options to play around with.
Step 1 – Create Folder Full of Apps, Shortcuts, Scripts in Shortcuts
Here are steps to create a folder full of your favorite apps and settings in Shortcuts app and then assign that folder to the Action button. Action button is only available on iPhone 15 Pro models and all models of the iPhone 16 series.
- Open the Shortcuts app.
- Tap on the back arrow in the upper left corner before Shortcuts.
- Tap on Folder icon with + sign in the upper right corner of the screen.
- Give your folder a name. I will name it Action button. Tap on Add after entering the name.
- Now select your folder. You will find it in the Shortcuts tab.
- Tap on + plus icon in the upper right corner of the screen.
- A New shortcut Screen will open. Here, you can create shortcuts to launch apps, change settings, controls, and even scripting. Let’s add an app.
- Tap on Open app.
- Tap on App.
- Choose an app here that you want to be in the folder. I selected Calculator.
- Tap on Done to save.
Your folder, Action button, now has a shortcut to one app. You can add up to 8 apps or shortcuts here. Repeat the steps above and play around to create automation if that’s what you want. Shortcuts app is pretty advanced and will require a separate article to understand its inner workings.
Step 2 – Assign That Shortcuts Folder to Action Button
This is easy peasy.
- Go to Settings > Action button.
- Scroll to find the Shortcuts app.
- Tap on Choose a Shortcut.
- Tap Show Folder.
- Select the folder you created. In my case, that would be Action Button.
- You will be taken back to the Action Button settings page.
Now, press and hold the Action button and you will see a folder open. Inside the folder, you will find all your Shortcuts.
Pro Tip: Create multiple folders for home, office, weekends, night, etc. You can then assign folders to the Action button depending on what you are doing or where you are at.
And that’s it, folks. Tell us on X (Twitter) how you are using the Action button.
