What Does The Action Button On The Apple Watch Ultra Do?

The orange Action Button is one of several features that distinguish the Apple Watch Ultra from other models, but what purpose does it serve?

Among the many features of the Apple Watch Ultra is an orange button on the left side called the Action Button, but what purpose does it serve? The new Apple Watch Ultra is Apple's most capable smartwatch yet. Apple has gone all out with the new watch, which is made from premium materials, has a bigger, brighter display, and boasts double the battery life when compared to other Apple Watch models.

Alongside the Apple Watch Ultra, Apple also announced the Apple Watch Series 8 and the Apple Watch SE 2. The former, which starts at $399 is available in 41mm and 45mm versions, while the latter comes in 40mm and 44mm sizes and has a $249 starting price. The Apple Watch Ultra on the other hand is available in a single 49mm size and is priced at $799.

RELATED: How Apple Watch Series 8 Uses The New Temperature Sensor

Coated in a color called 'International Orange,' the Action Button sits on the left side of the Watch Ultra's case, in between the speakers and the siren. The pill-shaped button has a groove, and is customizable which means it can perform a variety of functions depending on how the user configures it. For starters, pressing and holding the button will activate the siren which plays an 86-decibel sound that can be heard from up to 600 feet (180 meters) away. This sound from the siren makes it easier to locate a user during an emergency. Apple also states that pushing the Action Button will begin a workout.

Pressing the Action Button during a duathlon or triathlon will transition from one leg of the race to the next. The Action Button can also be customized to mark a segment during a race or make a compass waypoint when pressed. Furthermore, it can be set to start 'Backtrack,' which uses GPS data to create a path of where a user has been so that they can retrace their steps when lost. Divers can also push the button to begin tracking a dive.

The other side of the Apple Watch Ultra houses the Digital Crown and the Side Button, but even these are not like the ones on previous Apple Watch models or the new Apple Watch Series 8. The digital crown on the Watch Ultra is larger and coarser to make it easier to turn. Also, the side button protrudes to make it usable while wearing gloves. Clearly, Apple has put a fair bit of thought into making all the buttons and controls of the Apple Watch Ultra as accessible as possible during outdoor activities.

Source: Apple

Habeeb has years of experience covering consumer technology and has written for multiple publications. As a Senior Writer at Screen Rant, he enjoys writing about wearables, smartphones, tablets, and Chromebooks. Several of his articles include guides and comparisons that help users get the best out of their devices or choose the one that bests suits them. When he's not writing, he's catching up on the latest TV shows. He considers The Crown as peak drama and Castlevania as one of the best game-to-screen adaptations. And on days when there is nothing to watch (is that even possible?), he sneaks in a few hours of games on his PlayStation and Nintendo Switch.