iPhone 15 Pro’s Action Button to Support More Features with iOS 18: Report

Apple has introduced 14 new customisable actions for the Action button with iOS 18 Developer Beta 1.

Written by Shaurya Tomer, Edited by Siddharth Suvarna | Updated: 13 June 2024 17:18 IST

Photo Credit: Unsplash/Samuel Angor

iOS 18 Developer Beta 1 is available for download on iPhone XR and later models

Highlights

iOS 18 Developer Beta 1 brings more actions for the Action button
Users can reportedly choose from 14 options on iPhone 15 Pro models
Another new feature lets developers create extensions for camera access

iOS 18, introduced at the Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC) 2024 on Monday, is bringing more functionality to the iPhone 15 Pro's Action button, according to a report. Apple is said to offer quick access to additional customisable actions, including Calculator, Stopwatch, Home, Remote, and more. At present, users can assign nine preset options to the button, in addition to it doing nothing. But it could soon offer more functionalities, such as toggling dark mode, controlling devices via the Home app, or bringing up Tap to Cash.

New features coming to Action button

According to a 9to5Mac report, Apple has introduced 14 new customisable actions for the Action button with iOS 18 Developer Beta 1. At present, iOS 17 has options to bring up Voice Memo, Camera, Focus, Silent Mode, Torch, Translate, Magnifier, Accessibility, and Shortcuts. In addition to these options, users can also set it to do nothing.

iOS 18 is reportedly set to expand on these existing actions via a new 'Controls' option in the iPhone settings. The new options include:

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Calculator
Alarm
Stopwatch
Home
Timer
Wallet
Dark Mode
Scan Code
Airplane Mode
Cellular Data
Personal Hotspot
Remote
Tap to Cash
Ping My Watch

The Action button was introduced by Apple in 2023 with the launch of the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. It replaced the mute switch located above the volume controls, but isn't available on the iPhone 15 models.

Control Center updates

In addition to more functionalities for the Action button, Apple also revealed a major overhaul of the Control Center. While it was not showcased at WWDC, iOS 18 will allow users to access the camera features in third-party applications. The availability of this potential feature was confirmed via a new framework for developers named “LockedCameraCapture”.

According to Apple, developers can use it to create an extension that allows people to launch the app's “camera experience and capture content quickly when the device is locked.”

With iOS 18, users will also be able to swipe across pages to bring up more controls and toggles. A new controls gallery will display the full list of options that can be added to the Control Center.

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Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Excellent display
USB Type-C
AAA gaming
Excellent all-round performance
Good primary and telephoto camera
Customisable Action Button

Bad
Gets hot quickly when stressed
Slow wired charging
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max review

Display 6.70-inch

Processor Apple A17 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1290x2796 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

Apple iPhone 15 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A17 Pro

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 15

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Big upgrades over the 14
Excellent ergonomics, build quality
Very good all-round performance
Apple ecosystem benefits

Bad
Relatively slow charging
Expensive
Still a 60Hz display

Read detailed Apple iPhone 15 review

Display 6.10-inch

Processor Apple A16 Bionic

Front Camera 12-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 12-megapixel

RAM 6GB

Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 17

Resolution 1179x2556 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: Apple, iOS 18, iPhone 15 Pro, WWDC 2024

Shaurya Tomer

Email Shaurya Tomer

Shaurya Tomer is a Sub Editor at Gadgets 360 with 2 years of experience across a diverse spectrum of topics. With a particular focus on smartphones, gadgets and the ever-evolving landscape of artificial intelligence (AI), he often likes to explore the industry's intricacies and innovations – whether dissecting the latest smartphone release or exploring the ethical implications of AI advancements. In his free time, he often embarks on impromptu road trips to unwind, recharge, and ...More