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Set Up a Custom Action Button Shortcut for iPhone

The action button on iPhone 15 and later is one of the most powerful yet underused features on the device. Most people leave it set to silent mode and forget about it. A custom action button shortcut lets you wire the button to anything: launch a specific app, trigger a complex automation, log a health metric, or run your morning routine. Turin makes it simple to design exactly what you want to happen with a single squeeze.

How the action button shortcut works

Turin builds a shortcut designed to run the moment the action button is pressed. You then assign that shortcut to the action button in Settings. From that point on, a single press of the button executes your custom automation — whether that is starting a focus timer, logging water intake, or sending your location to a contact.

How to build this shortcut

1

Go to getturin.com and describe what you want the action button to do (e.g., 'Log a glass of water when I press the action button').

2

Wait a few seconds for Turin's AI to build the shortcut.

3

Tap 'Install', then assign it to your action button in Settings → Action Button → Shortcut.

Why use this shortcut

Instant one-press access

Trigger any automation without unlocking your phone or navigating to an app.

Context-aware behaviour

Build a shortcut that does different things depending on the time of day or your current focus mode.

Endless possibilities

Replace a single-use button with a dynamic shortcut that evolves as your routine does.

Ready to build this?

Build this shortcut in seconds.

Just describe it in plain English and tap install. No coding, no App Store, no subscription.

Build this shortcut free

Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Installs in one tap.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Custom Action Button Shortcut shortcut free?

Yes. You can build and install this shortcut using Turin's free tier. No subscription, no App Store download required — just describe what you want and tap install.

Which iPhone, iPad, and Mac models does this shortcut support?

This shortcut works on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 16 / iPadOS 16 / macOS Ventura or later. Install it directly from Safari in one tap.

Does this shortcut need an internet connection to run?

No. Once installed the shortcut runs entirely on-device using Apple's built-in Shortcuts app. An internet connection is only needed during the initial build and install step.

Can I customise this shortcut after installing it?

Absolutely. You can describe any changes to Turin and get a new version in seconds, or open the shortcut in the Apple Shortcuts app and edit the actions directly.