Apple will remove the Action Button from iPhone
Apple plans to remove the Action Button from future generations of the iPhone. The button first appeared on the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max in 2023, replacing the classic Ring/Silent switch.
Why Apple is dropping the Action Button
The main reason for dropping the button is the addition of the Camera Control touch panel on the opposite edge. Having two different smart buttons has made the phones harder to use, and users complain about frequent accidental presses.
Apple has already taken its first steps toward simplifying the design with its foldable iPhone Duo, which had the Action Button dropped during development. The experience showed that the device is more convenient without the extra component, so Apple decided to bring the concept to its main lineup as well.
Camera Control will replace the Action Button
All the useful functions of the disappearing button will remain, but will move to the Camera Control panel. Apple will simply change how users interact with it. A regular short press will still launch the camera and take photos.
A long press, meanwhile, will take over the Action Button’s functions: it will let users turn on the flashlight, open the voice recorder, enable Silent mode, or launch shortcuts. The gesture was previously intended for visual search using AI, but the AI features were ultimately moved into Siri, freeing up the button for everyday tasks.
When the iPhone will lose the Action Button
The standard iPhone 18 and more affordable iPhone 18e, due out in spring 2027, are expected to retain a dedicated Action Button. The two controls are set to be fully merged into a single universal interface at a later date. The change will be a key feature of the anniversary generation of smartphones, which will have a unibody design and do away entirely with the familiar physical buttons.
