The Apple Watch Ultra represents Apple’s most significant departure from its classic build. Alongside impressive durability specs and a massive display, the device also introduced Apple’s new Action button. Read on to learn how to set up and use the new feature.
Read more: Everything you need to know about Apple smartwatches
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To set up the Action button on your Apple Watch Ultra, open the Settings app on your device and tap Action Button. Then select the app and specific actions you want to activate.
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The Apple Watch Action button
Kaitlyn Cimino / Android Authority
A major addition to the Apple Watch Ultra’s silhouette is the Action button, a bright orange pusher users can program to complete various tasks. Not only is the Action button highly customizable, but it’s also easy to use while wearing gloves, or with sweaty or wet hands. In light of the Ultra’s rugged build and impressive water resistance, the Action button is a handy feature of this adventure watch.
What can it do?
The Action button can be set to activate a variety of on-device tools. These customizable options include everything from starting an exercise to opening an app. Below are all the native options for Action button integration:
- Workout
- Stopwatch
- Waypoint
- Backtrack
Perhaps even more excitingly, third-party developers can also implement support for the Action button. It’s still early so not many popular apps are on board yet, but we anticipate many favorites will add Action button functionality in the coming months.
How to set up the Action button
Setting up the Action button is easy and can be done right on your device.
- Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch Ultra.
- Tap Action Button.
- Tap the currently set action to open the Action Button menu.
- Tap the action you want to enable, for example, Workout.
- Tap the arrow in the top-left corner to return to Action Button settings.
- For some options, such as Workout, a follow-up App menu will appear. Choose the app you want to utilize.
- Some actions do not produce an App menu.
- If you have a third-party app with Action button support, it will appear in this list when Workout is selected.
- Tap the arrow in the top-left corner to return to Action Button settings.
- For some options, a follow-up First Press menu will appear. Tap First Press to access a menu of actions and tap the one you would like to set.
Read more: How durable is the Apple Watch Ultra?
FAQs
Currently, the only Apple Watch with an Action button is the Apple Watch Ultra.
Yes. Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch Ultra, then tap Action Button. Scroll down and tap the toggle labeled Hold to Turn On.
