What you should know
– The iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max have a new Action Button above the volume rocker, replacing the Mute switch.
– The Action Button can be customized to perform different actions when pressed, such as activating Silent mode or opening the camera.
– In iOS 17.1, the Action Button will require a longer press to activate when the phone is detected to be in your pocket, preventing accidental activation.
– Accidental activation of the Action Button could lead to unintended consequences, such as disabling the ringer or sharing sensitive information.
Full Story
The latest iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max models introduce an intriguing new feature called the Action Button. Found just above the volume rocker, this button has replaced the traditional Mute switch. But what sets the Action Button apart is its customization options. Users can personalize the function of this button by navigating to Settings > Action Button. The first available action is to enable or disable Silent mode, which essentially replicates the functionality of the old Mute switch.
Continuing the customization possibilities, swiping left on the Action Button opens up a range of additional options. One intriguing choice is the Focus mode, which mutes notifications and filters out distractions. As you swipe further left, more choices come into view. These include opening the camera, activating the flashlight, starting or stopping voice memo recordings, employing your device as a magnifying glass, enabling accessibility features, and even setting the Action Button to take no action at all upon pressing.
However, users should be aware of an upcoming change to the Action Button in the next iteration of iOS. Code spotted by 9to5Mac within the iOS 17.1 beta 3 release suggests that Apple is introducing a delay for activating the Action Button when the phone detects that it is inside a pocket. This adjustment prevents accidental activation of the button while the phone is in a user’s pocket. No additional setup is required for this feature, as it will be automatically enabled for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max owners once they update to iOS 17.1.
This change is essential to avoid potential mishaps, such as triggering unintended shortcuts. For instance, an accidental activation in a pocket might disable the ringer, turn off various phone features without the user’s knowledge, disclose the user’s location, or even share their most recent image. With this upcoming update, Apple aims to enhance the user experience and prevent unintentional actions caused by the Action Button.
