You don’t have to agree with me on this, but the only thing I’m using the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s Action Button is for toggling Do Not Disturb mode.
Use the iPhone 15 Pro’s Action Button for Do Not Disturb Mode, You’ll Thank Me Later
The decision to remove the mute switch in favor of the Action Button was the perfect one. If you keep your iPhone in silent mode all the time, the mute switch was forever triggered and wasted, hence the Action Button adds a little flavor to things. Sure, it was the iPhone’s identify for a long time, but what’s the point when you’re going to turn the switch on and leave it there? A software toggle for silent mode is a way better option.
When the Action Button was announced, I was only wondering how I would use it. A camera shortcut? Nope, as there are multiple ways to launch it already. I don’t want a new shortcut for that. Oh, how about the flashlight? It’s not that important either. Oh wait, how about Voice Memo? I’m not out there interviewing people.
After playing with the Action Button and its endless possibilities if you bring Shortcuts into account, I settled on Do Not Disturb, and I’m completely sold to its use.
Whenever I lend my iPhone to someone, it’s best to keep it in Do Not Disturb mode so that they do not have a look at my notifications, because privacy. And you can trigger Do Not Disturb covertly using the Action Button – it feels natural. The other person will never suspect a thing.
Since Do Not Disturb is synced across all your devices (if you choose to keep it that way) it’s the absolute best way to focus on work, too. Whenever something important comes in and I want to be locked onto my iPad Pro or Mac, the switch instantly silences everything down so I can properly focus on the task at hand.
And yes, before going to sleep I press and hold the Action Button so that no useless notification wakes me up.
I tried changing how the Action Button works multiple times but Do Not Disturb has been a lifesaver for me. For me, it acts as a bridge between my personal and work life.
Give it a shot, maybe it will work for you as well. Just go to Settings > Action Button and choose Focus mode which is set to Do Not Disturb mode by default.
