What the camera button does and how to change it

The iPhone 17 has a dedicated camera button on the side of the device. By default, it opens the camera app or takes a photo when you press it. Apple lets you reassign this button to launch a different app or perform a different action instead — you do not have to use it for the camera.

The process involves going into Settings, finding the camera button controls, and choosing what you want the button to do. You can set it to open any app on your phone, or trigger specific functions like flashlight, voice memos, or shortcuts you have created yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, then go to Camera to find the button assignment options for your iPhone 17.
  • You can reassign the camera button to launch any installed app, not just camera-related functions.
  • A single press and a long press can be set to do different things, giving you two separate actions from one button.
  • Custom shortcuts you create in the Shortcuts app will show up as options when you reassign the button.
  • Changes take effect when ready — you do not need to restart your phone.

Open Settings and locate the camera button menu

Swipe up from the bottom of your home screen or swipe down from the top right corner to open Control Center, then tap the Settings icon. Alternatively, find the Settings app on your home screen and tap it.

Once Settings is open, scroll down and tap Camera. This section controls how your camera button behaves. You will see options for what happens when you press the button once and what happens when you hold it down.

Assign an action to a single press

Under the "Camera Button" section, look for the option labeled Press or Single Press. Tap it to see the list of available actions.

You will see options like Camera, Photos, Video, Portrait Mode, and any custom shortcuts you have created. Scroll through the list and select the action you want. For example, if you choose Photos, pressing the button will open your photo library instead of launching the camera. Once you tap your choice, it is saved automatically.

Set a different action for holding the button down

Below the single press option, you will find Press and Hold or Long Press. This controls what happens when you hold the camera button down for about one second.

Tap this option and choose a different action from the same menu. You might set single press to open Photos and long press to open Voice Memos, for example. This way you get two different functions from one physical button depending on how you use it.

Use custom shortcuts for more control

If the built-in options do not do what you want, you can create a custom shortcut in the Shortcuts app and assign it to the camera button. Open the Shortcuts app, tap the plus icon to create a new shortcut, and build the action you want — such as sending a text message, turning on a specific smart home device, or running a series of commands.

Once you save your shortcut, go back to Settings > Camera and choose your new shortcut from the Press or Press and Hold menu. Custom shortcuts appear at the bottom of the action list with a purple icon next to them.

Troubleshooting if the button does not respond

If you reassigned the button but it still opens the camera, restart your iPhone. Hold down the side button and one of the volume buttons until the power-off slider appears, then drag it to turn off the phone. Wait a few seconds, then press the side button again to turn it back on.

If the button still does not work after a restart, check that you actually tapped the save option after selecting your new action — some users tap the action but do not confirm the change. Go back into Settings > Camera and verify that your chosen action is showing in the Press or Press and Hold field.

Switching back to the default camera function

If you want to return the button to its original purpose, open Settings > Camera and tap the Press or Press and Hold option. Select Camera from the list. The button will when ready go back to opening the camera app or taking a photo.

You can change the button assignment as many times as you want with no penalty or limit. There is no "undo" needed — just pick a new action whenever you want to switch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set the camera button to do two completely different things?

Yes. A single press can trigger one action and a long press can trigger another. For example, a quick tap could open Photos while holding it down opens Voice Memos. You control both independently in the Settings menu.

Will reassigning the button break the camera app?

No. The camera app will still work normally — you will just open it a different way, such as from your home screen or Control Center. Reassigning the button only changes how you launch it, not how it functions.

Can I assign the button to an app that is not installed?

No. Only apps you have already installed on your phone will appear in the action list. If you want to use an app with the button, read it first, then go back to Settings > Camera to assign it.

What happens if I delete an app I assigned to the camera button?

The button assignment will be removed automatically. The next time you press the button, it will do nothing until you assign it to a different action. Go back to Settings > Camera and choose a new function.

Do I need to do anything special to use a custom shortcut with the button?

No. Create your shortcut in the Shortcuts app, save it, then return to Settings > Camera and select it from the list. The shortcut will run exactly as you designed it whenever you press or hold the button.