How to Customise iPhone Buttons and Touchscreen for Underwater Use with Outex
Sep 07, 2020
Your iPhone has built-in features that let you customise both physical buttons and touchscreen gestures — making it significantly easier to shoot underwater with the Outex phone case. While iOS doesn't offer the deep button remapping flexibility of Android, the tools below give you precise control over how your phone behaves in the water. Android users should check with their phone manufacturer for equivalent settings, as implementations vary by device.
Key Recommendation: Launch Camera from the Lock Screen
When using the Outex waterproof phone case underwater, we recommend launching your camera app directly from the lock screen rather than unlocking the phone first. This gives you:
- Direct access to the camera with a single button press — no navigation required.
- All other apps locked out, preventing accidental inputs from water pressure or inadvertent button presses while shooting.
On iPhone, swipe left on the lock screen or press the Camera Control button (iPhone 16+) to launch the Camera app directly. The volume down button then acts as your shutter trigger.
Volume Buttons
The volume buttons are the most important controls for underwater shooting with Outex. By default on iPhone:
- The volume down button triggers the shutter in the Camera app.
- The volume up button also triggers the shutter.
- Both buttons work for photo capture and video start/stop.
No configuration is required — this is the iOS default. Use these buttons for all camera triggering when submerged.
Volume buttons can also be mapped to additional functions via Switch Control: go to Settings > Accessibility > Switch Control to configure.
iPhone 16: Camera Control Button
iPhone 16 and later models include a dedicated Camera Control button on the right side of the device. It supports press, slide, and double-press inputs and provides direct access to shutter, zoom, exposure, and focus controls. The Outex cover transmits all of these inputs accurately — above and below water.
To configure the Camera Control button: go to Settings > Camera > Camera Control.
For a full guide to using the Camera Control button with Outex, see the Outex Phone Pro and iPhone 16 guide.
iPhone 15 Pro and Later: Action Button
iPhone 15 Pro and later models include a customisable Action Button on the left side of the device. By default it toggles silent mode, but it can be reassigned to launch the Camera app, start a voice memo, run a Shortcut, or trigger other functions.
To configure the Action Button: go to Settings > Action Button and select your preferred function. For underwater use, assigning it to Camera gives you a dedicated one-press camera launch button accessible through the Outex cover.
Side Button
- Double-press — Apple Pay (configured in Wallet settings).
- Press and hold — Siri or Voice Control (configured via Settings > Accessibility).
- Triple-click — launches an Accessibility Shortcut (e.g., Magnifier, AssistiveTouch). Configure via Settings > Accessibility > Accessibility Shortcut.
Touchscreen Customisation
AssistiveTouch
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > AssistiveTouch and turn it on.
- A floating on-screen button appears that you can tap to access customised actions.
- Customise single-tap, double-tap, and long-press actions (e.g., Home, Siri, Screenshot).
- Create custom gestures such as pinch or multi-finger swipes.
Back Tap
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap.
- Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap.
- Assign actions such as opening Camera, running a Shortcut, or taking a Screenshot.
Shortcuts App
- Use the Shortcuts app to create custom automations.
- Combine with Back Tap or AssistiveTouch to launch apps or run multi-step workflows with a single gesture.
Recommended Setup for Outex Underwater Use
Based on the controls above, here is the setup most Outex phone users find most effective for underwater shooting:
- Launch camera from lock screen — swipe left or press Camera Control (iPhone 16+).
- Use volume buttons for shutter — no configuration needed, works by default.
- Assign Action Button to Camera (iPhone 15 Pro+) — gives a dedicated one-press camera launch.
- Enable Back Tap — assign double-tap to Screenshot for quick capture confirmation.
- Adjust settings above water — use the touchscreen at the surface, then switch to side buttons when submerged.
For full details on touchscreen behaviour underwater, the air gap tip, and depth rating, see the Phone Controls Guide.