iOS Shortcuts – Simple Automation Tricks You Can Use Today

iOS Shortcuts let you stitch together actions on your iPhone so a single tap or voice command does the work for you. Whether you want to send a pre‑written text, turn Wi‑Fi on when you get home, or batch‑resize photos, Shortcuts turn those repetitive steps into a single flow. The best part? You don’t need to be a developer – the Shortcuts app provides a visual builder that anyone can use.

Getting Started with the Shortcuts App

Open the Shortcuts app from your home screen or the App Library. The first screen shows a gallery of ready‑made shortcuts – these are great for inspiration and can be added with one tap. To build your own, hit the "+" button, choose "Add Action," and select from categories like Apps, Scripting, and Media. Drag actions into the order you want them to run, tap the settings icon to name your shortcut, and decide if you want a Siri phrase, a widget, or an icon on the home screen.

Most actions have simple toggles: for example, the "Set Wi‑Fi" action lets you turn the network on or off, while "Send Message" asks you to pick a contact and type a message. Test the shortcut by hitting the play button at the bottom – if it works, tap "Done" and you’re ready to run it anytime.

Must‑Try Shortcut Ideas for Everyday Tasks

1. Quick ETA to a contact: Combine "Get Travel Time" with "Send Message" so a single tap tells a friend how long you’ll be. Choose the contact, set the destination to your current location, and the message will auto‑fill with the travel time.

2. Battery‑Saver Mode: Use "If Battery Level" less than 20% then "Low Power Mode" on, followed by "Set Brightness" to 30%. Add a notification so you know the mode is active.

3. Photo Resizer: Select "Get Latest Photos," then "Resize Image" to 1080 × 1080, and finally "Save to Album". You’ll have a batch of social‑ready images with one tap.

4. Morning Routine: Chain together "Turn On Do Not Disturb," "Play Podcast," "Read Calendar Events," and "Set Brightness" to a comfortable level. Run it from a widget when you hit snooze.

5. Home‑Away Switch: Use the "Location" trigger to detect when you leave work. The shortcut can turn off Wi‑Fi, lock smart locks, and send a Slack message saying you’re out.

To make shortcuts even faster, add them to Siri. Open the shortcut, tap "Add to Siri," record a phrase like "Hey Siri, start my workout," and Siri will fire the automation hands‑free. You can also place the shortcut on the home screen for one‑tap access or embed it in a widget for quick launch.

Keep an eye on the Shortcuts Gallery – Apple updates it with seasonal automations and new app integrations. If you hit a snag, the built‑in "Show Result" action will pop up the output step‑by‑step, helping you debug without digging into code.

Shortcuts are all about saving time on the things you repeat. Start with a simple task, tweak it, and gradually layer more actions. Before you know it, your iPhone will feel like a personal assistant that knows exactly how you work.