

Actions are the steps that take place within your Shortcuts. The second component of the iPhone Shortcuts app is actions. The different titles are just a result of branding, so don’t get them confused! What is an Action? On other automation platforms, like IFTTT, Zapier, or Automator, you’ll see words like “routines”, “Zaps”, or “workflows” used in place of Shortcuts. Whenever you run the Shortcut, it works through each step until your desired task is complete. It brings together different steps to accomplish whatever task you want the Shortcut to complete. When you put them all together in the right order, you get a recipe. Inside are several steps that when executed, will create a meal. You can think of a Shortcut like a recipe. A Shortcut contains a set of steps that fire off in sequence whenever the Shortcut runs. Shortcuts are what the Shortcuts app calls its routines. The first key component of the iPhone Shortcuts app is – surprise! – Shortcuts. Both of these elements are common to most digital automation apps (though they might go by different names) so learning them with this app will help you use others. Below is a breakdown of the two main components of the Shortcuts app.

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You can download it here and start scrolling through it to get a better idea of how it works! The anatomy of the iPhone Shortcuts appĪs you mess around with the iPhone Shortcuts app, you’ll notice that it consists of a few different components. You have to download it from the App Store.

This is a great way to save time and simplify your life.įrom what I remember, the Shortcuts app doesn’t come pre-installed on iPhone. Automatically generate a playlist of songs that you’ve listened to over the last weekĪgain, those are just some basic ideas! Each of these Shortcuts can be set to run on its own or you can add a button to your iPhone’s Home Screen to run them.Create a preset timer for laundry, pasta, or walking the dog.Identify a song that’s playing and automatically add it to your Apple Music library.Instantly text the most recent photo in the Photos app to a friend.Start a timer that turns on Do Not Disturb for the duration of the timer.Here are some popular examples of iPhone Shortcuts to give you an idea of what I mean: Kind of like setting up dominos and knocking them down, but for the apps on your phone. You can then create a chain of actions that take place across these apps automatically after one another. It’s produced by Apple, giving it a deep level of integration with iOS and your apps.įor those that don’t know, digital automation refers to apps and services that connect the other apps you use together. In shorthand, the iPhone Shortcuts app is a digital automation app available on iPhone. Start using the iPhone Shortcuts app today.
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That means mastering it on your iPhone will help you master it on your Mac.
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The Shortcuts app is about to appear on Mac alongside Automator this Fall in macOS Monterey. And though the majority of iPhone users probably don’t use it, a substantial portion of iPhone owners use it every day. Unlike Automator, Shortcuts is very popular. Today, we’re going to be discussing the iPhone Shortcuts app. But that’s not the app we’re talking about today. It’s an app that most Mac users don’t know exists, and I think it can change the way you work. Over the past few weeks, I’ve been covering the basics of Automator on Mac ( read here).
