Build a Smart Home Shortcut 

If you use smart home devices, the Action button can become a remote control that’s faster than anything else you’ve tried. You can assign it to a Shortcut that runs a smart-home scene or handles a specific accessory, whether that means turning off your lights, opening the garage, locking the door, or running a full Good Night routine.

This is one of the coolest ways to use an Action button because it makes the phone interact with your actual environment. If you have one Home scene you trigger constantly, you can now use a specific button on your phone instead of having to go through your apps or widgets.

Pro Tip: While you can use your Action button to unlock your front door, you’ll still need to authenticate with Face ID. That’s still faster than swiping into your Home app, but it also means you won’t be able to do it by simply reaching into your pocket.