I’ve been testing the brand new iPhone 17 for Tech Advisor’s evaluate and I’m a giant fan. This yr’s base mannequin is great. It’s had all kinds of upgrades that carry it dizzyingly near the Professional mannequin, however it’s held its value level from final yr – and with further storage in addition.
Coming from an iPhone 14, which was my every day driver till I used to be loaned the most recent mannequin, that is my first alternative to get pleasure from options together with Dynamic Island and the Motion button. And I’m profiting from them.
Soar into Settings and also you’ll see the choices on your Motion button, which is the highest button on the left aspect of your iPhone. Apple supplies various default actions, together with toggling Silent Mode, switching to Focus mode, turning in your torch, magnifying, figuring out a tune or translating.
However what in order for you your Motion button to do a couple of of this stuff – or one thing fully completely different?
I had it set to Shazam for some time, as figuring out a tune is one thing you want to have the ability to do rapidly. However I additionally wished the power to set my telephone to silent immediately for conferences and within the cinema. You could possibly use Again Faucets for one thing like this, however I’ve discovered them to be a combined blessing: it’s too straightforward to vary a setting by chance.
That is the place shortcuts are available in. Now, after I press the Motion button, I can Shazam a tune, silence my telephone, or flip off my bedside gentle.
Shortcuts are straightforward to arrange. Right here’s how.
1. Open the Shortcuts folder
In case you can’t spot it in your homepage, do an app search to search out it. Right here’s what the icon seems to be like.

Apple
2. Create a brand new folder
Shortcuts has three tabs: Library, Automation and Gallery. Go to Library and click on on the brand new folder icon within the prime proper nook of your display screen.

Emma Rowley / Foundry
Then identify your new folder. In case you’re creating an Motion button shortcut, calling it one thing with “Motion” within the identify might be a plan. You possibly can even select an icon that will help you recognise it.
3. Select what you need your Motion button to do
When you’ve created your folder, it’ll seem within the Shortcuts library below Folders, and in All Shortcuts. Click on on it, then on the plus image on the prime proper of the display screen, and also you’ll be capable of add new actions.

Emma Rowley / Foundry
In case you don’t know the place to begin, use the search field that seems and enter key phrases to search out what you need. My Motion button is now set as much as change my telephone to silent, determine a tune and change off my bedside gentle.
4. Arrange your Motion button
When you’ve added every thing you need your Motion button to regulate, the ultimate step is to hyperlink it to the Motion button. Go to the primary Settings menu, scroll right down to Motion Button, then swipe by the choices till you see Shortcut. Click on on this and select the Motion button shortcut you simply arrange.
5. You’re executed!
Now, whenever you press your Motion button, you’ll be capable of decide from the choices you selected.

Emma Rowley / Foundry

