Just like many other automotive enthusiasts with iPhones, I recently acquired the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I steered away from frequent phone upgrades a couple of years back, but eventually decided to switch this year due to a three-year gap and a considerably diminished battery life. I was initially hesitant about the iPhone’s new Action Button, which replaces the long-standing ring/silent switch. However, after a few days with the new device, I found myself utilizing that button extensively. And the most impressive use so far? Employing it as a key fob for my vehicle.
Vehicles are continuously evolving in terms of technology. While many of us still carry physical keys, having the ability to control a car through a smartphone app, if available, can be a convenient way to manage a vehicle. Nowadays, tasks such as locking, unlocking, starting, and adjusting HVAC settings can all be done through your phone’s screen for numerous models. However, executing these actions can be cumbersome when juggling groceries or multitasking before heading to work. This is where the Action Button proves its worth.
via Tesla
For those unfamiliar, the Action Button is a versatile physical button located on the side of the new iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. A brief press enables you to silence the device akin to the original switch or carry out various other tasks, like accessing the camera or running a small automation known as a shortcut. The latter is what brings magic to the realm of connected cars.
My spouse and I indulge in harmless pranks occasionally. We both happen to own Tesla Model 3s, which are linked to each other’s phones as keys. One prank involved setting my Action Button to trigger “emissions mode” (essentially, emitting a loud fart noise through the car’s pedestrian speaker) in her car. This led me to contemplate—what other practical functions could I assign to that button?
It appeared that others had pondered the same idea. Tesla’s app integrates deeply into the shortcuts ecosystem. Additionally, third-party apps like Tessie can supplement the official app and provide data to shortcuts such as the vehicle’s location, outside temperature, and battery charge status. Leveraging this integration, I devised a simple yet incredibly useful shortcut: unlock the car and pre-condition it.
That was my initial shortcut for the Action Button. A straightforward yet practical key press that effortlessly unlocks my car and starts cooling it down without the need to unlock my phone, open the app, and press a few buttons—a task that could have been condensed into one tap using a shortcut icon on the home screen. Thanks to the Action Button, I can initiate all these actions without even waking up the display.
Crafting a shortcut is straightforward. Apple has also empowered advanced users to delve into the details of shortcut implementation. You can summon a menu to execute multiple actions, such as unlocking the car, opening the trunk, or activating the heated seats. Alternatively, you can incorporate variables for enhanced functionality from the switch. For instance, utilizing the outdoor temperature to instruct the car to also engage the heated seats and steering wheel during preconditioning.
While this article primarily focuses on Tesla-related content, it’s evident that Tesla has already mastered phone integration. However, the Action Button can collaborate with any app that supports shortcuts, whether integrated into iOS or through alternative avenues. Various examples of what owner communities have achieved with shortcuts are showcased below:
If you possess a fascinating motor vehicle-linked iOS quick fix to present, don’t hesitate to comment down below. Apple also permits the exportation of these productivity enhancers as iCloud links, enabling you to disseminate them directly via the shortcuts application.
Moreover, if you are in possession of an older device, you still retain the choice to employ either Siri or on-screen widgets—provided that your vehicle’s app integrates with them. Yet, customizing that diminutive button proves rather advantageous, especially when it spares you from having to extract your phone from your pocket.
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