![]() Show in Widget adds a mini-button to the Shortcuts widget on the iOS Today screen, which is a powerful addition since you can launch a shortcut from the Today screen. Here the user can change the name and icon for the shortcut, and most importantly, add it to Siri. The next button - the one at far right that looks like two toggle switches - takes the user to the Settings screen for the shortcut (see screenshot below). The share sheet (the square box with the arrow rising from it) gives the user the chance to share this shortcut in a variety of ways the recipient gets a link to an iCloud page with a Get Shortcut button on it. The buttons at the top of the shortcut listing require some explanation: the “Play” button actually does that, it runs the shortcut as if you’ve tapped the big button in the Shortcuts Library. In the example, that PDF is then sent to the next action in the “flowchart”, which is to open Quick Look so that the user can see what the PDF looks like and decide what to do with it (file it, send it to someone, etc…). For example, the “Make PDF” action is an Apple-provided action that takes input to create a PDF. The shortcut uses two actions - these are small “programs” that perform a specific action using an app installed on the iOS device. This example shortcut takes any rich text, text or URL and turns it into a PDF file. Those actions are laid out like a flowchart (see image below): (The individual actions that make up a shortcut) Tap this button, and you’ll see the individual actions behind the shortcut. You’ll also notice a small button marked with three dots (…) on each shortcut. (The Shortcuts Library, showing individual shortcuts that have been created)įor users who have created a lot of shortcuts, there is a search field to make it easy to find the one you need. Tapping a button runs the shortcut, which may present you with a dialog for input before it continues running. Launching Shortcuts immediately displays the Library, a grid of buttons that each denote a shortcut that you’ve created or that has been provided as an example to new users (see screenshot below). Shortcuts opens up incredible possibilities to automate things you do regularly on your iPhone and iPad.” You can even add an app icon to your home screen for your favorite Shortcuts. Shortcuts can be launched from the Today widget, from Search or by asking Siri. * Send a message including the last screenshot you took * Get directions to the nearest coffee shop in one tap * Make PDFs from Safari or any app with a share sheet * Add a home screen icon that calls a loved one ![]() * Get directions home, send your ETA and start listening to the news, just by asking Siri Shortcuts includes over 300 built-in actions and works with many of your favorite apps including Contacts, Calendar, Maps, Music, Photos, Camera, Reminders, Safari, Health as well as any app that supports Siri Shortcuts. Start from hundreds of examples in the Gallery or drag and drop to create your own. ![]() The Shortcuts app enables you to create personal shortcuts with multiple steps from your favorite apps. “Siri Shortcuts deliver a quick way to get things done with your apps with just a tap or by asking Siri. For this purpose, we’ll quote Apple’s own description: Let’s start by getting familiar with the purpose of Shortcuts and how the user interface is organized. Getting Familiar with the Shortcuts User Interface It’s quite popular - as of publication time it was the #30 productivity app - and highly rated at 4.5 stars. However, it’s available on the App Store for free (App Store link). With the release of iOS 12, the app is now called Shortcuts and has added even more usefulness with the ability to launch any Shortcut by using Siri.īy default, Shortcuts is not installed with iOS 12. It was such a popular and successful app that Apple bought the company that made Workflow. Workflow brought a number of programming tools into the mix as well, allowing for entry of data by the user, analyzing conditionals, and so on. For example, you could tap a Workflow app and have the iPhone grab text from a web page and then paste it into a Notes document. Today we’re taking iOS automation a step further with an introductory look at the new Shortcuts app. Be sure to keep your browser pointed to the Rocket Yard for additional installments in this series that will dive deeper into the workings of this surprisingly powerful automation tool.Ī few years ago, a third-party developer made an app called Workflow that allowed iOS users to create their own automated mashups of various apps. Recently we showed you how the new Siri Shortcuts can add Siri voice commands to a variety of apps that were previously “left out” of Apple’s intelligent assistant.
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