The side button on your iPhone 17 can be set to trigger different actions depending on what you need most

The side button—the physical button on the right edge of your iPhone 17—defaults to controlling your phone's power and volume. You can change it to launch a different feature instead: the Camera app, Flashlight, Voice Memos, Accessibility Shortcuts, or a custom shortcut you create yourself. The change happens in Settings and takes about two minutes.

Apple calls this feature Action Button customization. It works the same way whether you press the button once, press and hold it, or press it twice in quick succession—you set a separate action for each gesture.

Key Takeaways

  • Open Settings, tap Accessibility, then Action Button to see all available actions and assign one to your side button.
  • You can set different actions for a single press, a press-and-hold, and a double press—each gesture can do something different.
  • Custom shortcuts let you automate tasks like sending a text, toggling Wi-Fi, or running multiple apps in sequence when you press the button.
  • If you change your mind, you can always return to the default power-off behavior by selecting Power Off in the Action Button menu.
  • The side button still controls your phone's power if you hold it down during startup or emergency situations, regardless of what action you assign.

How to assign a built-in action to your side button

Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone 17. Scroll down and tap Accessibility, then scroll to the bottom of that menu and tap Action Button.

You will see a list of actions: Camera, Flashlight, Voice Memos, Magnifier, Translate, Accessibility Shortcuts, and Shortcuts (for custom automations). Tap whichever one you want. That action will now trigger when you press the side button once. Your phone will vibrate to confirm the change has been saved.

If you want to undo this and return to the default power-off behavior, go back to Accessibility > Action Button and select Power Off.

Setting different actions for press, hold, and double-press

The Action Button menu shows three rows: one for a single press, one for press-and-hold, and one for a double press. By default, only the single press is active. To add an action for holding the button down or pressing it twice, tap the row labeled Press and Hold or Double Press and choose an action from the list.

This means you can, for example, set a single press to open the Camera, a press-and-hold to turn on the Flashlight, and a double press to launch Voice Memos—all from the same physical button. Each gesture will trigger only the action you assigned to it.

You can also leave some gestures unassigned. If you do not assign an action to double-press, pressing the button twice will do nothing.

Creating a custom shortcut for your side button

If none of the built-in actions fit what you need, you can create a custom shortcut—a sequence of tasks that runs when you press the button. Open the Shortcuts app (it comes pre-installed on iPhone 17), tap the + button to create a new shortcut, and build your automation using the available actions.

For example, you could create a shortcut that sends a text message to a specific contact, toggles Wi-Fi on or off, plays a particular song, or opens multiple apps in order. Once you have built your shortcut, give it a name and save it. Then go back to Settings > Accessibility > Action Button, select Shortcuts, and choose your custom shortcut from the list.

The Shortcuts app has a learning curve if you have never used it, but Apple's built-in templates can get you started quickly. Tap the gallery icon at the bottom of the Shortcuts app to see pre-made shortcuts you can customize.

What happens if you hold the side button during startup or emergency

Even if you assign a different action to your side button, the phone will still respond to a long hold during startup or in an emergency. If you press and hold the side button plus a volume button during startup, your iPhone will enter recovery mode. If you press and hold the side button during an emergency, you can still access the Emergency SOS feature.

These safety functions override whatever action you have assigned, so you do not have to worry about accidentally locking yourself out of critical features.

Troubleshooting a side button that is not responding

If you assigned an action but the button does not seem to work, first check that you are using the correct gesture. If you assigned an action only to press-and-hold, a single press will not trigger anything. Try holding the button down for a full second.

If the button still does not respond, restart your iPhone. Hold the side button and either volume button 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. After restart, test the button again.

If the button is physically stuck or unresponsive even after restart, the hardware may need service. Contact Apple Support or visit an Apple Store to have the button inspected.

Resetting your side button to its default behavior

To return the side button to its original power-off function, open Settings > Accessibility > Action Button and select Power Off from the list. Your side button will when ready revert to controlling your phone's power.

You can change the button's action as many times as you want. There is no limit to how often you can switch between different actions or custom shortcuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use the side button to unlock my phone or open Face ID?

No. The side button cannot be set to unlock your phone or authenticate with Face ID. Apple restricts security-related actions to prevent accidental lockouts. You can still use the button for Camera, Flashlight, Voice Memos, or custom shortcuts.

What if I want different actions on different days or at different times?

You would need to manually change the action in Settings each time. iPhone 17 does not support time-based or location-based automation for the side button itself, though you can create shortcuts that run on a schedule and then assign those shortcuts to the button.

Does changing the side button action affect Siri?

No. Siri is activated by pressing and holding the home indicator at the bottom of the screen or by saying "Hey Siri." Changing the side button action does not interfere with Siri or any other voice control features.

Can I assign the same action to both a single press and a press-and-hold?

Yes. You can set the same action for multiple gestures if you want. For example, you could set both a single press and a press-and-hold to open the Camera. The button will launch the Camera either way.

Will my custom shortcut work if my phone is locked?

It depends on the shortcut. Some actions, like opening the Camera or Flashlight, work from the lock screen. Others, like sending a message or toggling Wi-Fi, may require you to unlock your phone first. Test your shortcut to see whether it works in your situation.