Apple recently announced iOS 18 at its WWDC 2024 event. It revealed many new features, including significant improvements to the Action button on flagship models like the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max.
Introduced with last year’s Pro models, the Action button replaced the traditional Ring/Silent button. It offered customizable functions such as toggling Ring/Silent mode, activating the camera, flashlight, voice memo, magnifier, translate, shortcut, and accessibility features. However, iOS 18 is set to expand the button’s capabilities greatly.
With iOS 18, users can assign the Action button to a wide range of new functions available in the revamped Control Center gallery. This expanded functionality includes toggling Dark Mode, Airplane Mode, and Personal Hotspot with a simple press.
While some features, like Low Power Mode and Orientation Lock, are not directly assignable in the first beta, they can still be accessed using the Shortcut action. This integration with Control Center options simplifies access to frequently used settings, enhancing the iPhone experience by making it more intuitive and personalized.
There is also increasing speculation that Apple plans to introduce the Action button across all four models of the upcoming iPhone 16 series, broadening the availability of these advanced features.
If this rumor proves true, it will represent a significant update for standard iPhone users, bringing the enhanced functionality to a broader audience. Currently, iOS 18 is available in beta form, with a final release expected in September.
Early adopters can already test the new features in the beta, and the iPhone 16 series, anticipated to launch in about three months, is expected to come pre-installed with iOS 18.
