With the help of the built-in shortcuts app, you can construct powerful automations with only a few clicks, eliminating the need for sophisticated coding or tech knowledge to automate daily tasks on your iPhone. Shortcuts make it simple, whether you want your phone to document your daily routines, switch to low battery mode at night, or text someone when you leave work. This tutorial explains the fundamentals of making and utilizing shortcuts, configuring automations, and enhancing your iPhone’s intelligence with easy-to-follow time-saving tips.
What are shortcuts, and how do they work?
Using shortcuts on your iPhone can help you save time, access hidden features, and cut down on repetitive steps by automating operations you perform often. The core of this is Apple’s Shortcuts app, an integrated tool that uses a straightforward drag-and-drop interface to allow you to build personalized actions or sequences of activities (referred to as “automations”).
– Understanding Apple’s Shortcuts app
The Shortcuts app allows users to:
- Combine multiple steps into one tap or Siri command.
- Trigger actions automatically based on time, location, app usage, or other conditions.
- Use both Apple and third-party apps in automation flows.
Each shortcut is made of “actions”—small commands like “Send a Message,” “Open App,” “Set a Timer,” or “Convert Image to PDF.” You can chain these together to create powerful custom workflows.
For example, a shortcut could:
- Turn off Wi-Fi
- Enable “Do Not Disturb”
- Open your meditation app all with one tap or voice command like, “Hey Siri, focus time.”
– Benefits of iPhone automation
- Saves time: Skip multi-step processes and repetitive settings changes.
- Reduces distraction: Automate modes like Do Not Disturb when you arrive at work or start driving.
- Adds convenience: Create quick-access tasks like a morning routine or travel checklist.
- Improves accessibility: People with disabilities can automate complex tasks into simple triggers.
- Integrates multiple apps: Launch a group of apps or services in one go (e.g., Maps, Music, and Calendar).
– Examples of everyday tasks you can automate
- Morning routine: At 7 a.m., have your iPhone turn off Do Not Disturb, read the weather, and play a news briefing.
- Leave home: Automatically turn off Wi-Fi, send a “leaving now” text, and start GPS to work.
- Save battery: Lower brightness, turn off Bluetooth, and enable Low Power Mode when battery drops below 20%.
- Speed up photos: Create a shortcut to resize and rename images before sharing.
- Quick message: Tap one icon to send “I’m on my way” to a favorite contact.
How to create your first shortcut
Creating a shortcut can seem daunting at first, but the Shortcuts app is designed to be user-friendly and intuitive. Here’s how to start:
Navigating the Shortcuts app
- Open the Shortcuts app: The app is built into iOS devices, so if you don’t have it installed yet, just search for “Shortcuts” in your iPhone’s app library or App Store.
- Home tab: This is where you’ll see all your existing shortcuts. You can organize them into folders or add new ones.
- Gallery tab: This tab offers pre-built shortcut templates that you can customize or use right away.
- Automation tab: Here, you can create triggers based on time, location, or other actions (e.g., “When I arrive home” or “At 8:00 AM”).
– Building a basic custom shortcut
To create a basic shortcut, follow these steps:
- Tap the “+” icon at the top-right of the screen to start a new shortcut.
- Add an action: Once you’re in the shortcut creation screen, tap “Add Action”. This opens a list of actions you can choose from, such as sending messages, controlling your phone’s settings, playing music, or opening apps.
- Choose your action: For example, to create a shortcut that sends a text message, type “Send Message” into the search bar, then select it.
- Customize the action: You’ll be prompted to choose the recipient and the message. Tap “Next” when done.
- Add more actions: You can keep adding more actions to the shortcut. For example, you could add an action to turn on Do Not Disturb after sending the message, or to open an app.
- Name your shortcut: Once your shortcut is set up, tap “Next” and give it a name, such as “Morning Routine” or “Send Message.”
- Add to Home Screen (optional): You can add your shortcut to the home screen for quick access. Tap “Add to Home Screen” and follow the prompts to choose an icon.
– Running your shortcut manually
To run the shortcut you just created:
- Tap the Shortcut: Go to the Shortcuts app and tap the shortcut you created.
- Use Siri: Alternatively, you can use Siri by saying something like “Hey Siri, Run [name of shortcut].”
- Home screen access: If you added your shortcut to the home screen, just tap its icon to run it directly.
– Using automation to trigger actions
- The difference between shortcuts and automations
- Setting automations to run based on time, location, or activity
- Useful automation ideas (e.g., silence phone at bedtime, open maps when leaving home)
Popular shortcut ideas to try
With iOS’s Shortcuts app, you can create a series of activities that may be triggered by a single tap or Siri query.
– Text someone your location and ETA automatically
Whether you’re on the way home or running late to meet a friend, this shortcut can:
- Use Maps or Google Maps to calculate estimated time of arrival.
- Pull your destination from your calendar event.
- Compose a message like “I’m on my way — should arrive in 18 minutes.”
- Send it via iMessage, WhatsApp, or even Slack with just one tap.
– Turn on Low Power Mode at a certain battery percentage
Manually enabling Low Power Mode gets old. This shortcut lets your iPhone:
- Automatically enable Low Power Mode when battery drops below a chosen level (e.g., 30%).
- Optionally dim your screen or reduce brightness.
- Disable background app refresh or mail fetch (via deeper automation).
– Log water intake or workouts to the Health app
Keep up with your health goals by logging activity or hydration in seconds:
- Prompt you to enter how many ounces of water you just drank.
- Record that data to the Health app directly.
- Do the same for workouts, sleep, or mindfulness time.
– Take a quick selfie or scan and save to Files
Use a shortcut to:
- Open the front-facing camera and snap a selfie.
- Automatically save it to a designated folder in iCloud Drive or Photos.
- Rename and organize it based on the time/date.
– Start a focus playlist with one tap
Create a “Work” or “Chill” shortcut that:
- Sets your iPhone to Do Not Disturb.
- Opens a productivity or relaxing playlist on Apple Music or Spotify.
- Launches an app like Notion, Notes, or Kindle.
– Combine smart home actions
If you use HomeKit or compatible smart home devices, try automating:
- “Goodnight” Shortcut: Turn off lights, lock doors, set thermostat.
- “Leaving Home” Shortcut: Power off everything, arm security, get directions.