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How to Set Up the iPhone Action Button to Run Multiple Actions with Shortcuts

Build an ordered shortcut or add a menu of alternative workflows, then assign it to the Action button on a supported iPhone.
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You can make the iPhone Action button run a sequence of tasks—or show a menu of different task sequences—by assigning it a shortcut you build in the Shortcuts app. First check that your iPhone supports the Action button: Apple’s guide identifies iPhone 15 Pro or later as supported.

Build a shortcut with the actions you want

Apple describes a shortcut as “one or more actions.” Each action is an individual task, and the shortcut runs them in the order you arrange them.

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  1. Open the Shortcuts app and create a new shortcut.

  2. Give it a name you will recognize when assigning it later.

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  3. Search for the actions you need and add them to the shortcut. Some actions that use other apps may ask you to allow access.

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  4. Arrange the actions in the order the workflow requires. Apple describes a common pattern as getting content, transforming or processing it, then sharing or passing it along. That is guidance, not a rule: a shortcut can omit any of those stages.

  5. Run the shortcut from Shortcuts to check the sequence and respond to any access prompts.

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Assign the shortcut to the Action button

On a supported iPhone, open Settings > Action Button, swipe to Shortcut, tap Choose a Shortcut, then select the shortcut you created. Apple notes that Shortcut needs a specific selection; without one, the Action button does nothing. Press and hold the button to run the assigned shortcut.

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Choose between a fixed sequence and a menu

A standard shortcut runs its actions from top to bottom every time. If you want one press to offer different jobs, use the Choose from Menu action. Apple describes it as a way to decide what a shortcut should do when it runs.

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  1. In the shortcut editor, add Choose from Menu near the beginning of the shortcut.

  2. Create a menu option for each job, such as “Start my day” or “Focus at work.”

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  3. Place the actions for each job under its corresponding menu option.

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  4. Run the shortcut to confirm that choosing an option runs its actions and skips the actions under the other options.

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Structure How it runs Setup Best fit
Fixed sequence Runs the same ordered actions each time. Add actions and arrange their order. A consistent routine.
Menu branches Asks you to choose an option, then runs that option’s actions. Define menu options and put the relevant actions under each one. Different routines depending on what you need at that moment.
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When to use Repeat actions

Repeat and Repeat with Each are for looping through steps or processing items in a list. They are not necessary just because a shortcut contains several different actions. For an ordinary multi-step routine, add and order the actions; for alternatives, add a menu.

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