Introduced with iPhone 15 Pro models and now available on all iPhone 16 models, Action Buttons give users customizable hardware buttons for quick access to features. In iOS 18, Apple has expanded its capabilities to include Control Center functionality, which may improve its usefulness for many users.
Despite its versatility, user adoption of action buttons has been mixed. For example, in April 2024, a MacRumors survey of iPhone 15 Pro users revealed that while some found the button to be a "game changer," especially when it came to activating custom shortcuts, more than Half of those surveyed often forget that the button exists. The most common uses among those who have used it include activating the camera or flashlight - features that can be accessed through the default lock screen.
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However, the new ability to assign Control Center functions to action buttons may change its reception and may address common criticisms of its limited usefulness. By providing quick access to frequently used Control Center settings, it solves the "out of sight, out of mind" problem and makes the action button more integral to your daily iPhone use. For those who want to give the Action button another chance or maximize its potential, here are the steps to set it up:
- Open the Settings app on your iPhone.
- Scroll down and click the Actions button.
- Swipe the available actions until you reach the control.
- Click the chevron next to "Select Control."
- Scroll through the Control Center options or use the search bar at the top to find specific controls.
- Click on the desired control to assign it to the action button.
Some Control Center features you can assign include Dark Mode, Airplane Mode, Cellular Data, Personal Hotspot, Quick Notes, and Scan Codes. Third-party application controls may also be available, depending on the applications installed on your device. Here is the complete list of available features:
- Calculator
- Stopwatch
- Alarm clock
- Homepage
- Timer
- Dark Mode
- Airplane mode
- Cellular Data
- Personal Hotspot
- Turn on music
- Quick Notes
- Remote
- Scan the QR code
- Wallet
- Click Cash
- Ping my watch
Looking at the list above, you may have noticed that not all Control Center toggles can be used as action button controls. For example, while you can assign cellular data control, you can't select Wi-Fi control. Oddly enough, neither Orientation Lock nor Low Power Mode. It's unclear whether Apple plans to correct these omissions in future software updates. Regardless, you can still use shortcuts to activate missing features.
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Once you have set up your favorite feature among the available Control Center features, you can activate it by holding down the action button. This provides a convenient way to switch features or access tools without having to navigate menus or open Control Center.
While some users may still find it challenging to incorporate the action button into daily use, trying out different Control Center features can help dial in just the right amount of muscle memory to remind you that it's there.
The above are the details of assigning Control Center functions to the action buttons of iPhone. For more information, please pay attention to other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!
Source: macrumors.com
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