What Is the Shortcuts App?

Apple's Shortcuts app is a built-in automation tool available on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. It lets you create sequences of actions — called shortcuts — that can be triggered by a tap, a voice command to Siri, or automatic triggers based on time, location, or context. Think of it as a no-code automation engine living right on your device.

Why Bother With Shortcuts?

Automation sounds intimidating, but even simple shortcuts can save meaningful amounts of time. Small repetitive tasks — turning on Do Not Disturb, opening a specific playlist, logging your water intake — add up. Shortcuts lets you chain these into single-tap actions.

Getting Started: Your First Shortcut

  1. Open the Shortcuts app (it comes pre-installed on iOS 13 and later).
  2. Tap the + icon in the top right corner.
  3. Tap Add Action to browse available actions by app or category.
  4. Add a sequence of actions — for example: "Set Volume → Play Playlist → Open App".
  5. Tap the shortcut name at the top to rename it, then hit Done.

You can now run this shortcut from the Shortcuts app, your home screen, or by asking Siri.

Three Practical Shortcuts to Build Today

1. Morning Routine Shortcut

Create a shortcut that: turns off Do Not Disturb, sets brightness to 80%, opens your news or podcast app, and sends a morning message to a family member. Assign it to a home screen widget and tap it when you wake up.

2. Commute Mode

Build a shortcut that: enables Bluetooth, opens your maps app with your work address pre-filled, starts your commute playlist, and silences non-urgent notifications. Trigger it from a home screen button or set it as an automation when you leave home.

3. Focus Session Timer

Create a shortcut that: enables Focus mode, sets a 25-minute timer (Pomodoro-style), opens your task manager, and plays ambient sound. One tap puts you in deep work mode.

Using Automations (The Real Power)

Automations run shortcuts automatically based on triggers — no tap required. To set one up:

  1. Open Shortcuts and go to the Automation tab.
  2. Tap New Automation.
  3. Choose a trigger: Time of Day, Arriving/Leaving a location, Opening an App, and more.
  4. Add your actions and save.

Useful automations include: turning on Night Shift at sunset, playing a specific playlist when AirPods connect, or muting your phone when you open your calendar's "Meeting" event.

Tips for Building Better Shortcuts

  • Start simple: A two-step shortcut you actually use beats a 20-step one you abandon.
  • Use the Gallery: The Shortcuts Gallery has pre-built shortcuts you can add and modify.
  • Add to Home Screen: Long-press the shortcut in the app and choose "Add to Home Screen" for one-tap access.
  • Explore third-party app support: Many apps like Spotify, Things, and Fantastical expose their own actions to Shortcuts.

Final Thoughts

The Shortcuts app rewards curiosity. You don't need to be a developer to build genuinely useful automations — start with one small repetitive task you do every day and automate it. From there, the possibilities grow quickly. It's one of the most underused built-in tools on iPhone, and once you get into it, you'll wonder how you managed without it.