How to create custom shortcuts on your iPhone

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Apple’s iPhone has remained one of the most popular smartphones in the market. Its user-friendly interface and reliable performance have made it the go-to device for millions of users worldwide. In addition to its advanced features, the iPhone also allows users to customize their experience by creating custom shortcuts. These shortcuts are a great way to save time and increase your productivity. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating custom shortcuts on your iPhone.

Custom shortcuts on iPhone are essentially quick actions that can be accessed with a simple tap or a voice command. They allow you to perform a series of actions with just one tap, eliminating the need to navigate through multiple apps or menus. For example, you can quickly send a predefined message, open your favorite playlist, or turn on airplane mode with a custom shortcut.

To create custom shortcuts on your iPhone, you need to use the Shortcuts app, which is available for free on the App Store. Once you have downloaded and launched the app, follow these steps to create your own custom shortcuts:

Step 1: Identify the task
Think about the tasks or actions you perform frequently on your iPhone. It could be sending a message to a specific contact, setting an alarm, or opening a particular app. Once you have identified the task, you can move on to the next step.

Step 2: Open the Shortcuts app
Open the Shortcuts app and tap on the “+” icon in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.

Step 3: Choose the actions
Tap on “Add Action” and you will be presented with a list of different actions you can choose from. These actions are categorized into different sections such as Apps, Scripting, Media, and Web. Choose the action that you want to include in your shortcut.

Step 4: Configure the action
Once you have selected the action, you can configure it by adding more details. For example, if you have chosen the “Send Message” action, you can specify the message content, recipient, and other details.

Step 5: Add more actions
You can add multiple actions to your shortcut by tapping on “Add Action” and repeating the process. This will allow you to create a sequence of actions that will be performed when you trigger the shortcut.

Step 6: Add a Siri command (optional)
If you want to activate your shortcut with a voice command, you can add a Siri command by tapping on “Add to Siri” at the bottom of the screen. This will allow you to activate your shortcut by saying a specific phrase to Siri.

Step 7: Save and test your shortcut
After you have added all the actions and configured your shortcut, tap on “Done” in the top right corner. Your shortcut will be saved and you can access it in the “My Shortcuts” section of the app. To test your shortcut, simply tap on it and it will perform the predefined actions.

Apart from creating shortcuts from scratch, you can also use pre-made shortcuts or “Suggested Shortcuts” in the app. These are created by other users and are available for you to use. You can also edit and customize these suggested shortcuts according to your needs.

Using custom shortcuts on your iPhone can save you a lot of time and effort. Here are a few practical examples of custom shortcuts that can make your life easier:

1. Morning routine – Create a custom shortcut that will turn off your morning alarm, open your favorite news app, and play your morning playlist on Spotify.

2. Travel mode – A shortcut that will put your phone on airplane mode, enable do not disturb, and send a text to your loved ones letting them know you’re on a flight.

3. Grocery list – Create a shortcut that will open your grocery list app and automatically add all the items from your pre-made list.

4. Workout routine – A shortcut that will turn on your workout playlist on Apple Music, open your fitness app, and start tracking your workout.

In conclusion, custom shortcuts are a useful feature on the iPhone that can streamline your tasks and simplify your daily routine. With the Shortcuts app, you can create custom shortcuts according to your specific needs and save time in the process. So go ahead and start creating your own custom shortcuts on your iPhone today!