Apple Watch Ultra 4 Action Button Can Trigger Workouts, Navigation and Shortcuts

Engadget reported that the Ultra 4 costs $800 and is positioned for running, hiking, weightlifting and other high-energy activities. The report said it is bigger and tougher than a regular Apple Watch, lasts up to 50 hours on a charge and includes satellite features and GPS accuracy. It said a Series 12 has to be charged every day, and Engadget noted that the Action Button is not available on Series devices.

The Action Button sits next to the speaker grille. A brief hold opens the Quick Switch menu, which lets users change the button's single-tap function on the fly, Engadget reported. Users can assign only one function at a time, but the report said the button can be useful for daily habits, especially with automation upgrades in watchOS 27 and iOS 27.

For straightforward commands, Engadget said the button can launch Flashlight, Voice Memo, Translate and Recognize Music. A press starts the function and another press stops it. The report said Recognize Music should be nearly instant on the Ultra 4 because of Apple's Audio Intelligence capabilities, which also support automatic Shazam detection.

The button can also control Workout, Stopwatch and Dive functions. Engadget said a press of Stopwatch starts timing and another press marks a lap, while pressing the Action and side buttons together pauses it. With Dive, a regular press begins an aquatic session and pressing Action and side together launches an app-specific secondary function. Workout can either open the Workout app or immediately start a particular activity; users can change that in Settings > Action Button, and pressing Action and side together pauses a session.

Engadget highlighted two navigation options, Waypoint and Backtrack, both linked to the Compass app. Waypoint drops waypoints visible in Compass and on the Waypoint watch face, and some waypoints are added automatically, including a parked car and the last available cell signal. Backtrack records a precise route for retracing, with Action and side buttons switching between Record and Retrace modes.

The report said Accessibility and Shortcuts are the most powerful assignments. Accessibility can trigger AssistiveTouch, VoiceOver and control of nearby devices. Shortcuts can launch any automation built in the iPhone's Shortcuts app, potentially controlling smart home accessories across platforms; Engadget cited examples such as turning on lights, adjusting a thermostat and playing local news on a HomePod. Engadget noted that iOS 27 on iPhones with Apple Intelligence lets users build shortcuts by describing what they want them to do, simplifying the process, though the report advised double-checking results to avoid unintended actions.