Trigger the capture
Use your configured Action Button workflow to begin Afterthought capture.
Afterthought for Action Button
Turn your iPhone Action Button into instant voice capture.
Press the configured Action Button workflow, speak naturally, and return to what you were doing. Afterthought prepares the result for review, keeping it or sending it where it belongs.
Free to download · No account required · Uses the current Afterthought capture shortcut workflow
Remove the app-opening step
The gap between an idea and a capture is where ideas go missing.
Even a simple voice note often starts with finding an app, opening it, and deciding where the thought belongs. The Action Button gives you one physical starting point before the thought gets diluted.
Press
Start the configured Afterthought capture shortcut from the Action Button.
Speak
Say what is on your mind naturally, without first choosing an app.
Get on with it
Afterthought processes the capture according to your selected mode.
How Action Button capture works
Press. Speak. Review when it suits you.
The destination app does not need to be open before capture begins.
Speak naturally
Capture an idea, task, reminder, message, event, or anything you want to keep.
Afterthought prepares it
Your selected mode determines whether it transcribes, prepares for review, or follows the eligible send flow.
Review, keep, or send
Open Afterthought to check the result, keep it there, or send it to a supported destination.
Set it up once
Use the current shipping shortcut setup.
Afterthought's Action Button capture uses the iPhone Shortcut assignment. The exact wording in iOS can vary by version, but the path is intentionally straightforward.
Set up the Afterthought capture shortcut
Open Afterthought and complete the current capture shortcut setup.
Open iPhone Settings
Go to Settings > Action Button on a compatible iPhone.
Choose Shortcut
Select the configured Afterthought capture shortcut as the Action Button action.
Press and speak
Use the button when an idea appears, then review the prepared result in Afterthought.
A real Action Button example
One press can catch the task before it turns into a tab-switching exercise.
“Remind me tomorrow at ten to review the launch copy with Sam.”
- Outcome
- Reminder
- Action
- Review the launch copy with Sam
- When
- Tomorrow, 10:00 AM
Your choiceReview it, keep it, or send it where it belongs
Ready after reviewUse the same capture layer for a note, a task, a reminder, an event, a message, an email draft, or a supported app handoff.
Action Button setupReal shipping setup screenshot required
action-button-setup.pngPrepared resultReal Action Button capture result required
action-button-result.pngSpeed without giving up control
Instant capture does not mean automatic commitment.
The Action Button starts capture quickly. You still choose the standard Afterthought mode and retain review controls for supported prepared output.
Three capture modes
Choose Transcribe Only, Classify & Review, or Classify & Send as the standard behaviour.
Natural correction
Edit or correct supported prepared output by typing or speaking after capture.
Multi-action safety
When one recording requests several actions, they remain together for review and do not auto-send.
Capture first, decide afterwards
The Action Button is a way in—not another system to maintain.
Afterthought can keep the capture inside the app or prepare it for the places you already use.
Voice notes to Notion
Prepare a title and body, review them, then send to a configured Notion workflow.
Explore Notion captureVoice tasks to Todoist
Prepare supported task, date, priority, and description details.
Explore Todoist captureApple Watch capture
Use your wrist when the phone is not in your hand.
Explore Apple Watch captureLocal-first privacy
Fast capture, clear processing choices.
Capture and transcription are local-first. Apple Intelligence, Classic, and downloaded Local AI Models can process on device. Text leaves the device when you choose configured Cloud AI or use a destination that requires an external service.
Nothing is sent just because you pressed the buttonYour selected capture mode and destination choices determine what happens after capture. External services receive the content required only when you choose to use them.
Action Button voice capture FAQ
Useful things to know.
How do I use Afterthought with the Action Button?
Set up the current Afterthought capture shortcut, then choose that shortcut in Settings > Action Button on a compatible iPhone. Press the Action Button to start the configured capture workflow.
Can the Action Button start voice capture?
Yes. The configured Afterthought shortcut starts the current voice-to-action capture flow, so you can speak without opening the destination app first.
Can one capture become more than one action?
Yes. Pro can prepare several grounded actions from one recording. Multiple-action bundles remain together for review and never auto-send.
Can I review the result before it is sent?
Yes. Use Classify & Review to check and edit supported output. Uncertain or incomplete results remain available for review.
Can it send to Notion or Todoist?
Yes, when those Pro integrations are configured. Afterthought prepares supported information for the selected destination; you can review it before committing it.
Does it work without opening the destination app first?
Yes. The Action Button starts Afterthought capture. The destination app does not need to be open during the initial capture.
Press. Speak. Get on with what you were doing.
One button. Say what is on your mind.