I recently discovered a clever use for the Action Button on the iPhone 15 Pro Max: turning it into a one-press shortcut for Day One.
The idea came from a Japanese blog called ALOG. In this post, the author explains how he set up the Action Button so that it takes him directly to Day One, ready to capture a thought or moment.
iPhone 15 Pro Max アクションボタンはDay Oneに
I really like this idea because it removes just enough friction from journaling to make a difference. When a thought comes to you, you don’t have to find the app or navigate through menus. Just press the button and start writing.
Until now, I had my Action Button set up as a camera shortcut. As a content creator, having quick access to the camera is obviously useful. But I recently switched that shortcut to a double Back Tap instead, which I find even easier to access when I want to quickly open the camera.
That left my Action Button free — and the Day One shortcut seemed like a perfect replacement.
I’ve started using the idea myself, and it’s one of those small iPhone customizations that feels surprisingly useful. The easier it is to capture something, the more likely I am to actually journal it.
I also recommend checking out ALOG itself. It’s a Japanese blog covering Apple, iPhone, Day One, journaling, notebooks, productivity, and plenty of other interesting bits of technology and everyday life. The writing has a personal, thoughtful quality that makes it more interesting than the usual collection of tech tips.
If you’re interested in finding creative ways to use your Apple devices, ALOG is definitely a blog worth exploring.
