15 tips for the Shortcuts app you really need to know
The Shortcuts app on your iPhone may be one of the least typical Apple apps you’ve installed. Unlike most of the native apps on your iPhone, Shortcuts doesn’t simply function seamlessly; it requires some exploration and a bit of experimentation to fully harness its potential. However, once you become proficient with it, you can leverage it to craft highly practical automations that execute your routine tasks with a simple tap or a voice command to Siri.
The fact that Shortcuts app doesn’t have the typical Apple feel isn’t unexpected, given that it originated as a third-party iPhone automation app called Workflow. Apple acquired Workflow in 2017 and subsequently integrated it into iOS as a pre-installed feature. If you’ve had a challenging experience with Shortcuts or haven’t given it a shot yet, there are several tricks that can assist you. We’ve compiled 15 valuable tips for the Shortcuts app that might not turn you into a master of iPhone automation but could certainly enhance your proficiency with it.
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Shortcuts app
- Leverage Existing Shortcuts app The Shortcuts app is capable of performing highly intricate tasks, including the use of RegEx expressions to search for specific text or the incorporation of JavaScript within your shortcuts. However, these advanced features can be intimidating for casual users. The good news is that you don’t need to grasp these complexities to harness the power of shortcuts effectively. The app offers a wealth of pre-made shortcuts in its Gallery section. Simply click on the Gallery tab, and you’ll discover a plethora of ready-to-use shortcuts. You can even customize them to suit your specific needs.
If you can’t locate the desired shortcut in the gallery, consider searching online. It’s possible to install shortcuts created by other users and use them on your own devices. The r/Shortcuts subreddit is a valuable resource for finding additional shortcuts.
- Utilize Shortcuts Suggestions While crafting a shortcut in the Shortcuts app, you’ll receive suggestions for actions you might want to incorporate. These suggestions can be incredibly handy, sparing you the effort of scouring the app for the necessary action. In addition to recommendations for the next step in your shortcut, you can access suggestions for actions from your installed apps by swiping up on the search field located at the bottom of the screen.
- Transform Shortcuts into Automations with Triggers You can manually execute a shortcut in several ways, as we’ll explore later. However, the true magic unfolds when you set up your shortcuts to run automatically. Within the Automation tab of the Shortcuts app, you can tap the + (plus) symbol at the top of the screen to create a new automation. Choose from a variety of trigger options, such as a specific time, your arrival at home, the opening of a particular app, when your battery reaches a specified percentage, or even when your iPhone detects a doorbell. You can then use these triggers to automatically initiate any of your shortcuts when the specified event occurs.
For instance, when you plug in your iPhone for charging after 10 pm, you can automate the execution of your “Good Night” shortcut, which can turn off lights and lock doors. It’s like having a touch of magic at your fingertips.
- Diverse Methods to Run Shortcuts Running a shortcut isn’t limited to tapping a button within the Shortcuts app. There are numerous other ways to trigger your shortcuts. You can initiate a shortcut by simply uttering its name to Siri or by pressing the Action button on your new iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max. You can employ the secret back-tap gesture, scan an NFC tag, or scan a QR code. Additionally, you can add widgets to your iPhone or Apple Watch, as we’ll delve into later.
- Utilize Shortcuts on Your Apple Watch While you can’t create shortcuts directly on your Apple Watch, you can execute them from your watch. In the Shortcuts app on your iPhone, you can select which shortcuts will be available on your Apple Watch. Once configured, you can open the Shortcuts app on your Apple Watch and tap on any of the shortcuts to run them.
Furthermore, you have the option to include shortcuts as complications on your Apple Watch watch face, granting you quick access to them. Alternatively, you can incorporate a shortcut widget into the Smart Stack, allowing you to access it swiftly by swiping up on your Apple Watch screen. And, of course, you can always employ Siri on your Apple Watch to initiate a shortcut using your voice.
Customize Shortcut Behavior for iPhone and Apple Watch You can employ a nifty trick to customize how a shortcut behaves based on whether it’s executed on your iPhone or your Apple Watch. First, incorporate the “Get Device Details” action and choose “Device is Watch.” Subsequently, select “If” from the suggestions, and Shortcuts will automatically insert an “If Device is Watch” action and an “Otherwise” action.
Add the actions you desire to take place on your Apple Watch after the “If Device is Watch” condition, and the actions you want on your iPhone after “Otherwise.” Consequently, your shortcut will exhibit different behaviors depending on whether you run it on your Apple Watch or iPhone. For instance, you can create a “Theatre” shortcut that activates “Do Not Disturb” on your iPhone when executed from there or activates “Theatre mode” on your Apple Watch when executed on the watch.
- Explore Third-Party App Actions Apple’s Shortcuts API empowers developers to craft actions for their own apps. Consequently, some of the third-party apps you’ve installed on your iPhone may already have helpful actions created to enhance your user experience.
For instance, if you choose WhatsApp within the Apps section of Shortcuts, you’ll discover actions like “Send Message via WhatsApp,” “Send Photo via WhatsApp,” “Call,” and “FaceTime.” Additionally, you’ll receive suggestions for sending messages to frequently contacted friends, enabling you to swiftly create a shortcut for WhatsApping your bestie with a single tap.
- Location-Based Shortcuts Here’s another clever hack that allows you to create location-adaptive shortcuts. Imagine crafting a shortcut triggered by your iPhone 15 Pro’s Action Button. When you’re at home, you want this button to control your lights, but when you’re away, you’d prefer it to activate “Do Not Disturb.”
Begin your shortcut with a “Get Distance” action to calculate the distance from your current location to your home address. Add an “If” action and set it to check if the distance is less than 0.1. Following this “If” action, include the tasks you want to execute when you’re at home, like turning off the lights. After the “Otherwise” action, insert the tasks you want to occur when you’re away, such as enabling “Do Not Disturb.” Now, your Action Button will perform different functions based on whether you’re at home or out.
- Personalize Your iPhone or iPad with Shortcuts One of the most popular uses of Shortcuts app is customizing your Home Screen by designing shortcuts that open specific apps and adding them to your Home Screen with personalized icons. This creative approach addresses the limited customization options offered by your iPhone. The good news is that you can find pre-made icons for your apps online, created by other users.
- Incorporate Shortcuts app into Your Today View or Home Screen An efficient method to activate your shortcuts swiftly is by utilizing widgets. You can add shortcuts to your iPhone’s Today View, accessible by swiping right on your Home Screen or Lock Screen. Alternatively, you can insert a Shortcuts widget on your Home Screen, accommodating up to four shortcuts. This approach simplifies access to your most frequently used shortcuts.
- Seek Siri’s Guidance If you find yourself overwhelmed while creating your initial shortcut, don’t fret—Siri is here to help. Simply say, “Siri, what are Shortcuts app?” Siri will then open a specially designed shortcut that presents you with examples of shortcuts and demonstrates how the current shortcut functions. You’ll be able to view the actions it contains, accompanied by explanatory comments for each action. Moreover, Siri’s response and the shortcuts provided may vary depending on whether you inquire on your iPhone or your Apple Watch.
- Organize with Shortcuts app Folders As you begin creating shortcuts, they all accumulate on a single page. Over time, especially when you’ve added several shortcuts from the gallery or online, finding the one you need in a long list can become challenging. Fortunately, you can create folders to efficiently organize your shortcuts. Simply tap “Shortcuts” at the top left of the main Shortcuts tab and then select the New Folder icon at the top right. Give your folder a name and assign it an icon. To place a shortcut in a folder, press and hold the shortcut, choose “Move,” and select the desired folder.
- Utilize Information Icons for Action Clarity If you’re uncertain about the function of a particular action while creating a shortcut, you can access more information by tapping the “i” icon next to it. This provides a brief description of what the action accomplishes, including any required inputs or produced outputs. This feature helps you gain a better understanding of the action’s intended purpose.
- Dive In The Shortcuts app is undeniably the most intricate native app on your iPhone. Unlike most pre-installed Apple apps, it isn’t something you can use intuitively without much thought. Consequently, it may not be utilized to its full potential.
However, once you familiarize yourself with its functionalities, the Shortcuts app can perform impressively, automating tasks you frequently perform on your iPhone or Apple Watch and ultimately saving you time. Our top recommendation is to dive in and give it a try. The best way to learn is by installing pre-made shortcuts from the Gallery or from online sources and examining how they operate. You can then begin making adjustments or adding more actions to tailor them to your specific needs. The more you experiment, the clearer it all becomes.
