Apple Shortcuts

Installing Apple Shortcuts

Click the download link

You can download from any Apple device

Click Add Shortcut

Tapping 'Add Shortcut' will install on your device

Shortcut is downloaded

The requested Shortcut is downloaded from Apple's servers

Move to sub-folder

Optionally you can organise your Shortcuts into folders

Edit if you wish

All Shortcut content (coding) is freely viewable and editable

Sync Across your Devices

Shortcuts are sync'd to every device connected to the same iCloud account

Shortcuts

How they work and why they are safe

Permission prompts

On device Javascript analysis

Local malware dictionary

Locally encrypted storage

iCloud sharing

Cannot run without user permission

Run Apple Shortcuts on iPhone, iPad, Mac or Watch

All your Shortcuts (default from Apple and those you have downloaded) can be found in the Shortcuts app.

From an iPhone or iPad

Open the shortcuts app and tap the icon for the desired Shortcut (note: tapping the will open the Shortcut for viewing or editing).

From a Mac

Open the Shortcuts app, click the play icon (); note: double clicking the Shortcut icon opens it for viewing or editing.

You can place one or more shortcut icons on your home screen (iPhone or iPad) or in the dock (Mac).

Adding a Shortcut to Home Screen

Tap the then tap 'Add to Home Screen' .

Adding to Mac Dock

Right click the icon, click 'Add to Dock'.

You can create an Automation in the Shortcuts app (open the Shortcuts app then click 'Automation').

Running a shortcut at a time (daily, weekly, monthly)

Click + to create a new Automation then select 'Time of Day' and follow the prompts. NOTE: check 'Run Immediately' to avoid a prompt before the Shortcut is executed.

Creating a location based Automation

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone and select Automation; tap + to create a new Automation then select 'Arrive' or 'Leave' and follow the prompts. NOTE: check 'Run Immediately' to avoid a prompt before the Shortcut is executed.

One or more Shortcuts can be placed in your control Panel (pull down from top right).

Adding a Shortcut to Control Panel (iPhone, iPad)

Open Control Panel (pull down from top right of screen); tap + then tap 'Add a Control'; scroll down and select 'Shortcuts' - follow the prompts to put your desired Shortcut in your Control Panel.

NFC tags are small coin-sized stickers that can be read by your iPhone; when read the NFC tag can launch a selected Shortcut (NFC tags cost a few pence each from Amazon).

Setting up your NFC tag

Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone and select Automation; tap + to create a new Automation then select NFC and follow the prompts (when asked to 'Scan' hold your iPhone top left near the tag). NOTE: check 'Run Immediately' to avoid a prompt before the Shortcut is executed.

Using your NFC tag(s)

Most NFC tags have an adhesive base which can be attached to your selected surface; for example: attach a tag near the helm of a boat to launch 'Sound Signals' on demand.

Some Shortcuts are suitable for running on an Apple Watch.

Which Shortcuts suit an Apple Watch

Only shortcuts that use supported actions (like opening apps, sending messages, or controlling watchOS features) will run; watch Shortcuts must be created on an iPhone.

Shortcuts must be enabled for Apple Watch

Shortcuts can be added as complications to your watch face; or they can be accessed via the Shortcuts app or Smart Stack on the watch.

shortcuts:

Free to download, free to use, no ads

Boating Shortcuts

Some specifics for the River Thames (non-tidal and tidal) and some for general boating.

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Personal Shortcuts

Shortcuts to help with your day-to-day activities and general saving time on routine stuff.

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Apple Watch Shortcuts

Shortcuts available here that can be run on your Apple Watch (as well as your iPhone and iPad).

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Conversion Shortcuts

Conversions for currency (to/from 52 currencies), motoring, kitchen measures, patient weight and more.

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Medical Shortcuts

Exercises to help relieve 'stickiness' in your cochlea, Blood Oxygen readings and other health related.

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Productivity Shortcuts

Shortcuts to help keep you focussed and complete some frequently needed, but elemental, tasks.

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F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

Shared Shortcuts are stored on and downloaded from Apple servers.

Apple verifies that shared Shortcuts are malware free.

You must give explicit permission for any downloaded Shortcut to access any data on your device.

Any and all shortcuts can be viewed and modified by anyone; if you are not too familiar with how Shortcuts work it makes sense to first create a copy and make changes to that; when happy with your changes, you can delete the original.

Yes, you can share any Shortcut; downloaded Shortcuts often require only that you include any copyright or similar notice when sharing.

Downloaded Shortcuts can include JavaScript but this can only execute if you give explicit permission.

Testimonials

What they are saying about Shortcuts

"Recently I worked for an iOS app called Workflow, where I learned to access a whole new layer of technology building workflows. After Apple acquired the app and made it free, I stayed for the transition but then went out on my own". Now, I’m trying to show others how to use technology better too..

Matt Cassinelli

Developer

"I have been using the app since its predecessor, Workflow, to demonstrate the limits of iOS automation. My work showcases highly complex and powerful shortcuts, including those used to assemble my website's archive".

Federico Viticci

MacStories

"Shortcuts have changed my life" by automating almost any repetitive task, finding that the app saved significant time once they mastered API calls and regex..

Reddit User

Enthusiast

Apple officially describes a shortcut as "a quick way to get one or more tasks done with your apps" and notes that "Each shortcut comprises a series of actions and each action is a single step that performs a particular function".

Apple Support

Just Apple...

Contact

Contact Jeff

Email Jeff

Copyright an Image

Add a Copyright Notice to any photo or image in your Photos collection; on first time of running the Shortcut, you will be asked to enter your name as you wish it to appear in the Copyright Notice.

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Bill Splitter

To save the embarrassment of mental arithmetic, you can use the Bill Splitter Shortcut to share a bill amongst all those paying after adding a fixed sum or a percentage tip; although the result is tagged with £, the maths used is currency-agnostic and you can use the Shortcut for any tender.

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New Calendar Event

Quickly add a new event to your calendar (diary) - select start date and time and finish date and time; add an optional reminder for your preferred interval (from none to two weeks or select 'Custom' and enter a specific date and time to be reminded); selecting the optional 'All Day' sets the new event for one or more complete days.

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Show Future Calendar

Pick a start date and a finish date to see all diary (calendar) entries for that range; if running in the UK, holidays and other official events are also shown.

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Decision Maker

If all else fails in whatever your project or quest is, you can rely on lady luck for unbiased help! Just remember to define the six results before rolling the dice,,,.

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Wi-Fi info & QR code

Get the key info about your Wi-Fi (SSID, IP, Speed and more). Generate a QR code to enable guests and visitors to log on to your Wi-FI jut by pointing their smartphone camera at the code.

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