Apple's iPhone 15 Pro models feature an Action button to which you can assign a custom function. Officially, the Action button only supports one function, but there is a way to switch between two actions using a special Shortcut. Keep reading to learn how it's done.


On ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ and ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Max devices, the iOS Settings app includes an Action button menu that includes several programmable functions that you can assign to the Action button, which is located above the volume buttons in place of the traditional Silent/Ring switch.

This menu lets you choose one option for the Action button, like opening the Camera app or turning on Silent mode, but there is a way to assign two functions to the Action button via the Shortcut option.

Thanks to a freely available third-party shortcut called MultiButton made by MacStories' Federico Viticci, it's possible to automatically cycle between two shortcuts by pressing the Action button multiple times in rapid succession. In a nutshell, if you press the Action button once it runs a primary shortcut, and if you press it again within a few seconds, it runs a secondary shortcut.

What the primary and secondary shortcuts are is entirely up to you, so have a look at what's available in the Shortcuts app before your proceed. Once you've decided on them, make a note of their names, then follow the steps below.

  1. Download and install the free MultiButton shortcut.
  2. During setup, you'll be asked to enter the names of the two shortcuts you want to run with MultiButton. Be sure to enter their exact names. (Alternatively, tap Skip Setup and choose these shortcuts later in the MultiButton editor.)
  3. Tap Add Shortcut.
    shortcuts

  4. Now, open the Settings app and tap Action Button.
  5. Swipe to the Shortcut option.
  6. Tap the selection button below "Shortcut" and select MultiButton.
    settings

  7. Now, long press the Action button.
  8. If you're prompted to, give MultiButton permission to access your iCloud Drive (don't worry, MultiButton doesn't read any other files or contact any third-party servers, and you won't be prompted again).

After following these steps, you should see your primary shortcut run on the first Action button press. If you press the Action button again within 7 seconds of the first press, your secondary shortcut will run. If you wait longer than 7 seconds, MultiButton will run the default, primary shortcut instead.

Note that you can't press the Action button a second time while the first shortcut is still running. You'll have to wait for the primary shortcut to finish running. Unfortunately, the Shortcuts app doesn't support running two shortcuts from the Action button at the same time.

Changing the 7-Second Threshold

Developer Federico Viticci chose the default 7 seconds as the threshold for pressing the Action button twice based on his own real-life usage, but you can modify the limit.

shortcuts
Open the Shortcuts app, tap the round ellipsis (three dots) button on the MultiButton shortcut card, then scroll down to the hash symbol and change the number "7" to your preferred threshold duration in seconds. Tap Done to save your changes.

Assign Primary/Secondary Shortcuts

Open the Shortcuts app, tap the round ellipsis (three dots) button on the MultiButton shortcut card, then replace the Shortcut 1 and Shortcut 2 lines with the exact names of the shortcuts you want to assign to one and two Action button presses. Lastly, tap Done to save your shortcut changes.

shortcuts
What do you think of Viticci's MultiButton shortcut for the ‌iPhone 15 Pro‌ Action button? Got a useful shortcuts setup you'd like to share? Let us know in the comments.

Related Roundup: iPhone 15 Pro

Popular Stories

ios stolen device protection

iOS 17.3 Beta Adds New Stolen Device Protection Feature to iPhone

Tuesday December 12, 2023 10:20 am PST by
The first iOS 17.3 beta rolling out to developers today includes a new "Stolen Device Protection" feature that is designed to add an additional layer of security in the event someone has stolen your iPhone and also obtained the device's passcode. Earlier this year, The Wall Street Journal's Joanna Stern and Nicole Nguyen reported about instances of thieves spying on a victim's iPhone...
New iOS 17

Apple Releases iOS 17.2 With Journal App and More

Monday December 11, 2023 10:01 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2, the second major updates to the iOS 17 and iPadOS 17 operating systems that came out in September. The new software comes over a month after Apple released iOS 17.1 and iPadOS 17.1, updates that brought new AirDrop, StandBy, and Apple Music features. iOS 17.2 and iPadOS 17.2 can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going...
Apple TV 2022 Feature Blue

Apple Releases tvOS 17.2 With Revamped Apple TV App

Monday December 11, 2023 9:58 am PST by
Apple today released tvOS 17.2, the second major update to the tvOS 17 operating system that came out in September 2023. tvOS 17.2 comes more than a month after tvOS 17.1, an update that expanded the availability of the Enhanced Dialogue feature. tvOS 17.2 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Go to System > Software Update to get the new software. ‌Apple TV‌...
iPhone 16 Side Feature

iPhone 16 Pro Rumored to Have These 12 New Features

Monday December 11, 2023 10:46 am PST by
While the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max are still over nine months away from launching, there are already several rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped new features and changes expected for the devices so far. These are some of the key changes rumored for the iPhone 16 Pro models as of December 2023:Larger displays: The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Pro Max will be equipped...
iOS 17

33 New Things Your iPhone Can Do in iOS 17.2

Tuesday December 12, 2023 1:57 am PST by
Apple has made available for download its major end-of-year iPhone software update, iOS 17.2, featuring a large number of features and changes that users have been anticipating for quite a while. Below, we've listed 33 new things that your iPhone can do once you've installed the update. Check Settings ➝ General ➝ Software Update on your device to get downloading. 1. Help You Keep a Daily ...
iPhone 16 Mock Back 1

iPhone 16 Early Prototypes: What Apple's Next-Generation iPhone Will Look Like

Tuesday December 12, 2023 3:07 pm PST by
With the launch of the iPhone 15, Apple introduced design changes like a curved frame and a frosted glass back. Information acquired by MacRumors suggests that Apple's next-generation iPhone 16 will build on these updates with modifications to the buttons and the camera layout. We have details on early pre-production designs for the iPhone 16, including a look at the variants and hardware...
CarPlay Phone Call

GM Says It's Nixing CarPlay to Make Drivers Safer

Tuesday December 12, 2023 1:47 pm PST by
Earlier this year, General Motors (GM) announced plans to phase out Apple's CarPlay and Android Auto in its future electric vehicles, with the company instead relying on an infotainment system co-developed with Google. This has not been a popular decision with iPhone users, and today, GM provided some additional insight into the decision in a discussion with MotorTrend. According to Tim...
macos sonoma feature purple green

Apple Releases macOS Sonoma 14.2 With Enhanced AutoFill, New Widgets, Apple Music Updates and More

Monday December 11, 2023 10:00 am PST by
Apple today released macOS Sonoma 14.2, the second major update to the macOS Sonoma operating system that initially came out in late September. macOS Sonoma 14.2 comes six weeks after the launch of macOS Sonoma 14.1. The ‌‌macOS Sonoma 14.2‌ update can be downloaded for free on all eligible Macs using the Software Update section of System Settings. Apple has also released macOS 13.6.3...