How to Use the Shortcuts App on iPhone

The Shortcuts app was introduced with iOS 12 in 2018, allowing iPhone users to automate tasks and streamline actions across their devices (Shutterstock)

Getting Started with the Shortcuts App on iPhone

You might have noticed the Shortcuts app installed on various Apple devices like iPhones, iPads, or MacBooks. However, the app’s functionality and how to use it might not be immediately clear.

Simply put, the Shortcuts app can help organize your routine tasks on Apple devices, saving you valuable time spent on repetitive activities. With a shortcut, you can perform a task across different apps on your devices with a single tap or a voice command to Siri. For example, you can create a simple shortcut to browse the top daily news.

The Shortcuts app debuted with iOS 12 in 2018, originating from a mobile automation tool called Workflow, which Apple acquired the previous year. While the app is intended to make daily tasks a bit easier, understanding how it works can be challenging. In this article, we’ll explore how to use the Shortcuts app and make the most of it on various Apple devices.

How to Use Shortcuts

All your shortcuts are stored within the Shortcuts app on your device. When you open the app for the first time, you’ll see some example shortcuts to try out. Any shortcuts you add later will appear under the My Shortcuts tab.

If you’re logged into the same account on all your Apple devices, the shortcuts you create on one device will appear on the Shortcuts app across your other devices.

The easiest way to start using shortcuts is by tapping on the Gallery tab within the app. Here, you’ll find categorized lists of shortcuts for different types of tasks.

Browse through the shortcuts available in this tab and tap on any shortcut that interests you to learn its function, where it appears, and how to activate it using a voice command with Siri.

Before creating any new shortcuts, you can revisit the My Shortcuts tab and tap the three dots in the top right corner of any shortcut to see exactly how it works. Reverse engineering these shortcuts is the best way to understand them.

All your shortcuts in the Shortcuts app are stored directly on your device, allowing you to access and manage them easily (Shutterstock)

How to Create New Shortcuts

After experimenting with some pre-made shortcuts and understanding how they work, you might want to create your own. Follow these steps to create custom shortcuts:

1. Open the Shortcuts App: Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone, iPad, or MacBook. From the My Shortcuts tab, tap the Plus (+) icon in the top right corner.
2. Create a New Shortcut: Tap where it says New Shortcut at the top, then tap Rename to choose a new name for your shortcut.
3. Name Your Shortcut: Select a name that describes what the shortcut does, remembering that the name will act as the voice command for Siri to run this shortcut. You can also tap Choose Icon to set an appropriate icon.
4. Add Actions: Tap Add Action to select the action you want this shortcut to perform.
5. Search for Actions**: Use the search bar at the top or navigate through Categories or Apps to find the action you need.
6. Customize Your Shortcut: The Shortcuts app will suggest actions based on the apps you’ve recently used. Your shortcut can consist of a single action or multiple actions.
7. Edit Your Shortcut: Tap the three dots next to any shortcut in the My Shortcuts tab to review and modify it by adding or removing actions. A list of suggested actions will appear at the bottom, or you can continue searching or browsing.

Organizing Shortcuts and Adding Them to the Home Screen

Once you’ve selected or created some shortcuts, you might want to organize them into folders. Here’s how:

1. Organize into Folders: Press and hold any shortcut in the My Shortcuts tab, then select Move. You can add it to an existing folder or tap New Folder to create one.
2. Add to Home Screen:

•  - Press and hold any shortcut in the My Shortcuts tab, then choose Share.
• Tap Add to Home Screen.
• You can move the shortcut on your home screen or remove it just like any other app icon.

By following these steps, you can efficiently use the Shortcuts app to streamline your daily tasks and enhance your productivity on your Apple devices.