<!--
{
  "documentType" : "article",
  "framework" : "AppIntents",
  "identifier" : "/documentation/AppIntents/hardware-interactions",
  "metadataVersion" : "0.1.0",
  "role" : "collectionGroup",
  "title" : "Hardware interactions"
}
-->

# Hardware interactions

Run your App Shortcuts from the Action button on iPhone or Apple Watch, or launch your own conversational app from the
side button on iPhone.

## Overview

On supported iPhone models, people can run custom actions quickly using the Action button. This button
is configurable in Settings, so people can assign any App Shortcuts you create to quickly access your
app’s features. In select regions, people can also place custom actions on the side button of an iPhone
to launch your conversational app.

On supported Apple Watch models, people can start a workout or dive session using the device’s Action button.
This button is also configurable in Settings, and supports app intents that support the [`StartWorkoutIntent`](/documentation/AppIntents/StartWorkoutIntent)
or [`StartDiveIntent`](/documentation/AppIntents/StartDiveIntent) protocol.

For more information about how to create App Shortcuts, see [App Shortcuts](/documentation/AppIntents/app-shortcuts). For design guidance related
to the Action button, see [Human Interface Guidelines > Action button](doc://com.apple.documentation/design/Human-Interface-Guidelines/action-button).

## Topics

### Action button

[Responding to the Action button on Apple Watch Ultra](/documentation/AppIntents/ActionButtonArticle)

Use App Intents to register actions for your app.

[`ConfirmationActionName`](/documentation/AppIntents/ConfirmationActionName)

### Dive support

[`StartDiveIntent`](/documentation/AppIntents/StartDiveIntent)

An App Intent that lets people start a dive session when they press the Action
button on Apple Watch Ultra.

### Workout support

[`StartWorkoutIntent`](/documentation/AppIntents/StartWorkoutIntent)

An App Intent for starting a workout.

[`PauseWorkoutIntent`](/documentation/AppIntents/PauseWorkoutIntent)

An App Intent that lets someone pause your app’s current workout session.

[`ResumeWorkoutIntent`](/documentation/AppIntents/ResumeWorkoutIntent)

An App Intent that lets someone resume your app’s paused workout session.

### Side button

[Launching your voice-based conversational app from the side button of iPhone](/documentation/AppIntents/Launching-your-voice-based-conversational-app-from-the-side-button-of-iPhone)

Let people in Japan configure the side button of iPhone to launch your voice-based conversational app.



---

Copyright &copy; 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)