Methods and mobile devices for performing operations responsive to user actions are disclosed. The method includes prompting a user of a mobile device to make a particular action that is detectable by the mobile device, and prompting the user to select a particular operation that the user desires to have effectuated when the particular action is subsequently carried out. In addition, an indicator of the particular action is stored on the mobile device in connection with an indicator of the particular operation to associate the particular action with the particular operation. And after registration, when the particular action is sensed with the mobile device, the particular operation is effectuated.