Apple’s latest iOS 18.4 Beta 2 introduces a range of new Shortcuts actions, making automating settings within Apple’s first-party apps easier.
These additions allow users to customize app behaviors dynamically, integrating changes into Focus Modes and other automation routines.
While still in the developer beta stage, these features offer a glimpse into Apple’s ongoing push for deeper customization and automation.
Also: This brilliant iOS 18.4 new feature will make managing app downloads so much smoother
Expanding Automation Across Apple Apps
Several built-in Apple apps now include new Shortcut actions, providing greater flexibility in managing settings.
Some of the most notable updates include:
- Calendar: You can now adjust settings like the default event duration, start day of the week, and time-to-leave alerts through Shortcuts.
- Freeform & Apple Books: New actions allow for better organization within Freeform and dynamic adjustments to the reading menu in Apple Books.
- Apple Maps: You can toggle preferences like avoiding highways and tolls and even adjust turn-by-turn navigation volume.
- Messages: Shortcuts can now open a specific message conversation, so you don’t have to waste time scrolling and searching.
- Apple News & Notes: Automate the downloading of puzzles and stories in Apple News and manage Quick Notes settings in Apple Notes.
- Reminders: Shortcuts can now toggle “Do Today” reminders, which is perfect for integrating with Focus Modes.
- Safari: A variety of actions, including switching search engines, managing autofill settings, blocking pop-ups, and altering tab bar appearance.
- Apple TV & Weather: New options allow adjustments to download quality, language preferences, and even toggling between Fahrenheit and Celsius in the Weather app.
Also: 10 brilliant Apple Reminders features that I use every day to get my life together and reduce stress
How You Can Use These Shortcuts
If you’re new to Shortcuts, make sure to check out our step-by-step guide to create your first shortcut.
With these new actions, you can create customized automations tailored to your daily routines.
For example:
- Dynamic Calendar Adjustments: You can customize your iPhone’s calendar to begin on any day of the week by creating a Shortcut and linking it to the back-tap gesture or the Action button on compatible models.
- Adaptive Navigation Volume: Shortcuts can automate turn-by-turn navigation volume based on the time of day, ensuring quieter guidance in the evenings and louder instructions during morning commutes.
- Safari Search Engine Switching: You can create a Shortcut that asks which search engine to use each time you open Safari.
- Focus Mode-Specific Automations: Setting different Focus Modes to trigger changes in app settings, such as enabling offline news downloads for travel mode or adjusting notification preferences for work mode.
Wrap Up
iOS 18.4 Beta 2 makes Shortcuts even more powerful by allowing deeper control over Apple’s native apps.
These new actions make it easier to personalize your devices, optimize productivity, and streamline daily tasks.
Further refinements and fixes, such as resolving Safari’s search engine switching issue, are expected as the beta progresses.
Until then, these features provide a promising look at the evolving automation capabilities in iOS.
