The Volume Buttons on Your iPhone Have Countless Hidden Features
Most people think the volume buttons on an iPhone are only for turning sound up or down—but they do much more. Apple quietly built several powerful shortcuts into these two buttons, and many users never discover them.
You can use the volume buttons to take photos or start video recording, making them act like a physical camera shutter for steadier shots. During an incoming call, pressing either button will silence the ringtone without declining the call. The same trick works for alarms and timers.
When listening to music or podcasts, the buttons allow precise volume control without unlocking your phone. While on a call, they adjust call volume only, not system sound—a small detail that prevents accidental blaring audio later.
In emergencies, pressing the side button and a volume button together can trigger Emergency SOS, instantly contacting local emergency services. The buttons also play a role in hard resets, helping recover a frozen device.
From photography to safety, the iPhone’s volume buttons quietly handle far more than sound. Once you know these hidden features, you’ll never see them the same way again.
