Unlock Your Productivity Potential with Apple Shortcuts

Apple Shortcuts is a powerful tool that can help you save time and simplify everyday tasks on your iPhone or iPad.

With just a few taps, you can automate routines and get things done faster.

This guide will walk you through the basics of using Apple Shortcuts, from creating simple shortcuts to more advanced automation.

No prior experience is needed—just follow along step-by-step.

Quick Note Before You Start

• Make sure you have an iPhone or iPad running iOS 13 or later, as Shortcuts is built-in from this version onward.
• Check that the Shortcuts app is installed. It comes pre-installed, but if you deleted it, you can re-download it from the App Store.
• Have your device unlocked and ready, as you’ll be creating and testing shortcuts live.
• Be patient when testing shortcuts; some actions may require permissions or internet access.

Step 1: Understanding What Shortcuts Are

Shortcuts are custom commands that combine multiple actions into one tap or voice command.

For example, a shortcut can turn on Do Not Disturb, lower brightness, and start playing your favorite playlist—all at once.

This saves you from opening several apps and changing settings one by one.

Step 2: Opening the Shortcuts App

Find the Shortcuts app on your device. It looks like a colorful overlapping diamond icon.

Tap to open it. You will see three tabs at the bottom: My Shortcuts, Automation, and Gallery.

The Gallery tab is a great place to start if you want pre-made shortcuts to try out.

Step 3: Creating Your First Simple Shortcut

Let’s create a shortcut that opens your favorite website:

1. Tap the My Shortcuts tab.
2. Tap the + icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.
3. Tap Add Action.
4. In the search bar, type Open URL and select the action that appears.
5. Tap on the blue URL text and enter the website address, for example, https://www.apple.com.
6. Tap the play button (triangle) at the bottom right to test your shortcut.
7. If it opens the website in Safari, you have successfully created your first shortcut!
8. Tap Done to save it. Give your shortcut a name by tapping the title at the top.

Why this step is important: It introduces you to the shortcut-building interface and how to add simple actions.

Step 4: Adding Multiple Actions to a Shortcut

Now, let’s add another action to the shortcut that also opens your favorite music app after opening the website.

1. Open the shortcut you just created by tapping it in My Shortcuts.
2. Tap Edit in the top right.
3. Tap + below the existing action to add another action.
4. Search for Open App and select it.
5. Tap App and choose your music app, for example, Apple Music.
6. Tap the play button to test. You should see the website open, then the music app launch.
7. Tap Done to save your changes.

Why this matters: Combining actions makes shortcuts more useful by automating multiple tasks in sequence.

Step 5: Using Siri to Run Your Shortcuts

You can run shortcuts hands-free by asking Siri.

1. Open the shortcut you want to use.
2. Tap the settings icon (looks like sliders) in the top right.
3. Tap Add to Siri.
4. Record a simple phrase to activate the shortcut, like “Open my website and music.”
5. Tap Done.
6. Now, say “Hey Siri,” followed by your phrase, and the shortcut will run automatically.

Why use Siri? It makes running shortcuts fast and convenient without touching your device.

Step 6: Exploring Automation for Advanced Users

Automation lets you run shortcuts automatically based on triggers like time of day or arriving at a location.

Here’s how to create a simple automation:

1. Go to the Automation tab in the Shortcuts app.
2. Tap Create Personal Automation.
3. Choose a trigger, for example, Time of Day.
4. Set the time you want the shortcut to run, then tap Next.
5. Tap Add Action and select the shortcut or actions you want to run automatically.
6. Tap Next, review your automation, and toggle off Ask Before Running for full automation without prompts.
7. Tap Done to save.

Why automation is powerful: It helps you perform tasks automatically without needing to run the shortcut manually.

Alternative Automation Ideas

• Run a shortcut when connecting to Wi-Fi
• Start a morning routine shortcut when you dismiss your alarm
• Send a message automatically when you leave work

FAQs About Apple Shortcuts

Q: Can I share my shortcuts with others?

A: Yes, you can share shortcuts by tapping the three dots on a shortcut, then the share icon. This lets others import your shortcut into their Shortcuts app.

Q: Are shortcuts safe to use?

A: Generally yes, but only download shortcuts from trusted sources. Shortcuts can access personal data, so be cautious with unknown shortcuts.

Q: Can I delete shortcuts I no longer need?

A: Absolutely. In the My Shortcuts tab, tap Select, choose shortcuts, and tap Delete.

Q: What if a shortcut doesn’t work as expected?

A: Check if you granted necessary permissions, have an active internet connection (if needed), and that your device software is up to date.

When Nothing Works

If you’re still having trouble with Apple Shortcuts, try these final steps:

• Restart your device to clear temporary glitches.
• Update to the latest iOS version for improvements and bug fixes.
• Reset the Shortcuts app by deleting and reinstalling it from the App Store.
• Visit Apple’s official Shortcuts support page for detailed help and troubleshooting.

Conclusion

Apple Shortcuts is a simple yet powerful way to boost your productivity by automating everyday tasks.

Starting with basic shortcuts and gradually exploring automation can save you time and help you get more done with less effort.

Remember to explore the Gallery for inspiration, experiment safely, and customize shortcuts to fit your needs.

With practice, you’ll unlock the full potential of your device and enjoy a smoother, more efficient workflow.