Our iPhones are superbly powerful tools that can perform thousands of different functions, and the number is growing exponentially every year.
However, while these functional abilities are impressive, many hold value when done in sequence with others.
Manually performing these tasks in sequence can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
Hence, an automated method for executing them in a specific order greatly streamlines workflows and enhances the iPhone user experience.
Luckily, Apple developed just a cure for these timely ailments: the Shortcuts app. This powerful tool allows you to save time by automating tasks and simplifying your digital life.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explain these shortcuts and teach you how to set them up, customize, and use them. Now, let’s talk about how to use Shortcuts on the iPhone.
Also: 10 actually useful iPhone shortcuts that will make your life way easier
The Purpose Of Apple’s Shortcuts App
Imagine having five tasks in a sequence where it makes no sense to start the next one until the first one is fully done. Think of how long that process would take.
Now, imagine a system that automates all five tasks in sequence, completing them in less than a quarter of the time it would take you manually.
If that sounds appealing, then Apple’s Shortcuts will be functionality you will love.
How to Get Started With Shortcuts
The Shortcuts app is preinstalled on every iPhone but is readily available at the App Store if you don’t have it.
To set it up:
Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone and select Gallery. You will see a variety of pre-built shortcuts that could speed up your search.
Add any that you like to your shortcut collection by selecting them and then tapping on Add Shortcut.
To create a new shortcut, go to My Shortcuts from the Shortcuts tab and tap the (+) in the upper right corner.
Once in the shortcut template, start building one by tapping Add Action (select the actions in the order you want the shortcut to perform them, creating efficient and valuable workflows).
You can search for specific actions by either using a search bar in the Add Actions function or browsing actions by category, such as Web, Media, App, Scripting, etc.
Once you find an action, tap on it, and it will be added to your shortcut.
Shortcut Customization
The actions inside a shortcut will execute in the order you select them. Suppose you are not satisfied with the order of the actions.
If you can’t rearrange the actions, simply delete the ones you’re unhappy with and everything after them.
Then, quickly rebuild the sequence in the same order by selecting the actions and tapping the (+) in the right corner.
You can also parameterize the actions to make them more specific. For instance, if your action is “Send Message,” you can specify the recipient of that message to denote the specifics of that action command.
This will help to make the shortcuts more effective tools.
Also: This clever iPhone shortcut is a godsend to free up space and keep your photo library clutter-free
Using Shortcuts
Once set up, the simplest way to access your shortcuts is to add them to the home screen.
You can do this by entering the Shortcuts app and tapping the three-dot icon next to the shortcut you want to add. This will open the shortcut on your screen.
- Select the three dots in the upper right corner.
- Then, choose Add to Home Screen under the Details tab at the top.
- Click Add to place it on your home screen on the next screen.
To use the shortcut, you can:
- Tap it from your home screen.
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap the shortcut.
- Ask Siri to run it by saying, ‘Hey Siri,’ followed by the shortcut name.
Also: How to create a distraction-free iPhone home screen that will change your life
Additional Shortcut Functions
There are a few other shortcut functions that are worth learning about:
- Automate shortcuts to run based on location, time of day, or event
- Personalize automatic shortcut runs, such as at your normal wake-up time or when you arrive at work
- You can customize actions within each shortcut by tapping “Add Variable,” which allows you to store information from one action and reuse it in another action later on in the shortcut.
- You can save variable values by using the “Set Variable” action
- You can use the variable by using the “Get Variable” to retrieve the value again
- Shortcuts can also be organized by simply holding them down until they “wiggle” and dragging them to other spaces and arrangements
- Shortcuts can be renamed by tapping the three-dot icon and choosing Edit
- Shortcuts can be shared by clicking the three-dot icon, selecting the share icon, and choosing how you want to share it (SMS, email, AirDrop, etc.)
Save Time With Shortcuts
Shortcuts add a great deal of versatility to iPhone users’ lives and enhance their productivity by simplifying and speeding up the execution of daily tasks.
Many commonly applied shortcuts already exist in the Shortcuts Gallery, but users are always free to customize new ones to suit their needs. Timely, complicated workflows should no longer slow you down.
Let me know how you plan on using Apple’s Shortcuts app in the comments below.
