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Settingly

Device-specific hardware settings

Action button

Most people call this the customisable button that replaced the ring switch.

The Action button replaces the Ring and Silent switch and can be set to run the torch, the camera, a Focus, a shortcut or an accessibility feature.

Available

This setting is present on your iPhone.

  • We have this path on file but have not yet confirmed it against an official source.

Where to find it - iOS 17 and later

  1. Settings
  2. Action Button

What it does

Press and hold triggers the action you assign. Silent Mode is one of the options, which is how the original switch behaviour is preserved. Assigning a shortcut makes it run almost anything.

On newer releases a single button can be given different actions in different contexts through the Shortcuts app.

What changes

When it is on

Holding the button runs your chosen action.

When it is off

Not applicable. There is always some action assigned.

Should you turn it on?

Good reasons to turn it on

  • Instant torch or camera without unlocking.
  • A shortcut can run a whole sequence of steps.
  • Accessibility features can be one press away.

Good reasons to turn it off

  • You may miss the certainty of the physical mute switch.
  • It is easy to press by accident in a pocket.

Battery

No real change

Privacy

No real change

Performance

No real change

Cellular data

No real change

Storage

No real change

Out of the box: Set to Silent Mode.

What your iPhone needs

  • Needs an iPhone with an Action button

Questions people actually ask

Where is the mute switch on my iPhone?
Newer models replaced it with the Action button, which is set to Silent Mode by default.
Which iPhones have an Action button?
It arrived with the iPhone 15 Pro. Choose your model above and this page will tell you.

If it is not working

  • If the option does not exist, your iPhone does not have the button.
  • Choose Shortcut to access anything the Shortcuts app can do.
  • Control Centre still has a mute control if you reassign the button.

Related settings