How to Use the Apple Shortcuts App on iPhone, iPad, or Mac (2023) Leave a comment

You might need seen the Apple Shortcuts app put in in your iPhone, iPad, or Mac, however it won’t be instantly clear what it’s or learn how to use it. This app can streamline your routines and liberate a treasured few seconds on repetitive duties. A shortcut is just a solution to get one thing finished together with your apps by way of a single faucet or phrase to Siri. You possibly can create a easy shortcut to browse the highest information tales of the day, for instance, or a sequence of actions to shut your sensible blinds, play sleep sounds, and switch off the lights at bedtime.

The Shortcuts app arrived with iOS 12 in 2018. It grew from an automation instrument for iPhones referred to as Workflow that Apple had acquired the earlier yr. It is purported to make on a regular basis duties somewhat simpler, however understanding learn how to get essentially the most from it may be difficult. That’s why we have compiled this useful information on learn how to use the Shortcuts app.

What You Want

To make use of Shortcuts, you need an iPhone or iPad working iOS 12 or later (some performance is simply out there in iOS 13 or later). There’s additionally a Shortcuts app for Mac that runs on macOS Monterey (12.0.1) or later. And lots of shortcuts will work with Apple Watches working WatchOS 7 or later.

In case you are signed in to the identical account on your entire Apple units, shortcuts created within the app on one gadget will seem within the Shortcuts app in your different units. The Shortcuts app is probably going put in in your gadget already, but when not, you’ll be able to obtain it from the App Store.

Getting Began With Shortcuts

All of your shortcuts reside within the Shortcuts app. Once you first open the app, you will notice a handful of examples to attempt. Any shortcuts you add or create later will seem in your Shortcuts tab. We’ll get into learn how to create shortcuts in a second, however by far the best solution to get began with shortcuts is to faucet on the Gallery tab, the place you will discover categorized lists of shortcuts for all types of duties. 

Flick through the shortcuts on the Gallery tab and faucet on any shortcut that pursuits you to see what it does, the place it seems, and learn how to activate it with a Siri voice command. If you wish to attempt it, faucet Add Shortcut or faucet the plus icon on the prime proper of every shortcut on the Gallery tab.

Earlier than you create any shortcuts, return to the Shortcuts tab and faucet the ellipsis (three dots) on the prime proper of any shortcut to see the way it works. Till you get the dangle of the assorted choices, reverse-engineering shortcuts is one of the simplest ways to know them. 

The right way to Create Shortcuts

When you’ve tried a number of the premade shortcuts and have an concept of how they work, chances are you’ll need to create one among your personal. Right here’s how: