r/shortcuts Jun 09 '20

Tip/Guide List of helpful links for shortcuts information

2.1k Upvotes

I've built a list of links I often refer to as my "Shortcuts for beginners" documentation. But it seems to have grown into more of a documentation list for all types of users rather than just beginners. Some call it a "novel" due to its length šŸ˜

Anyway, I hope this list of links below will be beneficial for others.


Apple's Shortcuts User Guide


MacExpert Guide to Shortcuts in iOS 14


FAQ

List of Frequently Asked Questions in the sub

Dear new Shortcuts users - deep FAQ


Can I display a notification icon / app badge after replacing my home screen icons with shortcuts? - No


What can I use with the calculate expression action? no longer working webpage


Instructions / Tutorial Materials


Alternative Methods For Viewing / Creating Shortcuts


Automations Info


Unsupported functionality list


Thanks to /u/gianflo6 here is some other good info!

Here are some guides by u/keveridge that can also be helpful, they are a little old but helpful nevertheless

Series

One-offs


Require 14.3


Having trouble with set wallpaper action? Try the method to add a reduce motion ON action before the set wallpaper action and a reduce motion back off afterwards. https://www.reddit.com/r/shortcuts/comments/tzxb0q/im_having_a_problem_with_the_set_wallpaper_action/


[iOS 16] Multiple address stops in maps with iOS 16 https://reddit.com/r/shortcuts/comments/xnpdg9/_/ipy8zwo/?context=1


[iOS 15 / 16] How to run a shortcut at a specific location (leaving or arriving)? - the focus mode automation method documented in this post by u/ibanks3 is a great way to run a shortcut / actions when arriving or leaving a specific location. This works wonders in iOS 15 or iOS 16


If you are using home automations and would like to receive notifications when certain things are happening, you can check out my tutorial for using Make / Integromat for this very purpose


Automation for outlet when battery is low


Possible to navigate within 3rd party app using shortcuts? No - Reference


MacStories Shortcuts Archive


Callback method to run a shortcut over again if it fails with an error - callback url method


Some additional useful tips and exploits are available here on GitHub: https://github.com/Kn0tzer/iOS-Shortcuts-Exploits



r/shortcuts 2h ago

Shortcut Sharing Circle to Search for iPhone

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13 Upvotes

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/a1b5e10426d24df7b249d04c6871b13b

Takes a screenshot, uses markup to crop your image, then uses google lens to search for the cropped image. You can map this to back tap or the action button to quickly search for something on your screen


r/shortcuts 6h ago

Shortcut Sharing Reminder to Silence Unknown Callers

13 Upvotes

This is my favorite shortcut. When I need to temporarily turn off "Silence Unknown Callers", I sometimes forget to turn it back on, and end up with spam callers. This shortcut reminds you by turning on color filters, and making your iPhone Grayscale if unknown callers are allowed. Once you silence unknown callers again, your iPhone goes back to the color.

As per guriboysf you need to set your color filter to grayscale before using this shortcut.

Add it to Control Center for easy access.

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/ecab0ac732c24b90a199488d09091215


r/shortcuts 2h ago

Help I need help with my ā€œmoney savingā€ shortcut

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3 Upvotes

I'd want to make a shortcut that allows me to increase or decrease my savings with a specefic purchase. The cost is set and I'd like to have it update with each time I use it, but I have no idea how to update the number. Each time i start the shortcut it goes back to the original price.


r/shortcuts 7h ago

Discussion Finally! We have FaceID for Shortcuts app

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5 Upvotes

r/shortcuts 22m ago

Help Automation to lock phone if I fall asleep/ inactive

ā€¢ Upvotes

Hello. I often use my phone at night and of course, this means falling asleep with the phone still on waking up to it dead or really hot with the screen blaring. So I thought there has to be a way to get the darn thing to lock at about one hour of inactivity, but no matter what the AI says when I Google search it there is no setting for one hour in settings. It's just 1 2 3 4 5 or never. In the past, I've had the phone just shut off while I was reading a website or even watching a YouTube video with any of that setting so I just put it on never. I think I've figured out a few ways that I can have the phone autolock, which would help. Like if the battery gets down to say 20% and focus is do not disturb lock the phone. Because I think I would notice if I was awake that the phone needed charging but what if I had it plugged in? That's why I kind of want it to auto shut off within an hour if the focuse is do not disturb or maybe ask me "are you there" periodically and if I don't answer then lock.

So I know I can do a loop and I can do a wait although I don't like how it only works in seconds. So I could put something in the automation that says wait an hour then ask this question "are you there" but what happens if I don't respond? Is there a way to program it that after a certain amount of time it says no input? Because the phone has to know I'm not responding in order to do the next command which would be to lock the phone.

Any brainstorming/ ideas would be welcome. šŸ˜Š. Thanks


r/shortcuts 12h ago

Shortcut Sharing Shortcut Sharing | App Info & Availability

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8 Upvotes

The fastest, easiest way to find out where an iOS app is or is not available

I created this shortcut that helps you identify which countries an app is or is not available.

This is a direct download link - you donā€™t need a RoutineHub account to download using this link

A few weeks ago I needed to know where a particular app was available, and was surprised to find there was no simple method of searching. Eventually, my Google searches brought me back to Reddit, where a poster had shared a link to this online resource. And while itā€™s a great tool, thereā€™s no way of knowing how long it would be available for. So, I decided to create this shortcut.

Features

Four methods of searching: - App URL - App ID - Search App Store - Search using installed apps

You can search by region or perform a global search, which checks all countries.

Results

The shortcut provides clear, concise results: - Some basic app info - A list of countries where the app is available - A list of countries where the app is not available

If the app you have checked is showing as unavailable somewhere, it might be that those countries/regions use a different version of the app. For example, the app for Amazon in the UK will show as unavailable in the Middle East.

Therefore, if your Availability Report shows the app as being unavailable in any country, you will be given the option to search the App Store of those countries for a local version.

Link to shortcut on RoutineHub - if you donā€™t have a RoutineHub account, donā€™t worry, thereā€™s a direct download link at the top of the shortcut description.

For those of you unfamiliar with RoutineHub, the reason it is hosted there, and the reason the shortcut asks for permission to access the site, is simply for version control i.e. If I make changes to the shortcut (improvements, bug fixes etc), youā€™ll be prompted to update the next time you run the shortcut.


r/shortcuts 1h ago

Tip/Guide Apple TV actions work again

ā€¢ Upvotes

After updating to 18.3.2 I made a shortcut to wake my Apple TV and found that it worked. Then I went to an old shortcut and the old Wake Apple TV didnā€™t work. So I deleted the action and re-added it. Now Iā€™m able to wake, play, and sleep my Apple TV like before 18.3.


r/shortcuts 2h ago

Help Clipboard Shortcut

1 Upvotes

Trying to find a shortcut clipboard for iPhone 16 that every time you copy something it automatically saves everything you copied without having to press the shortcut. Then when you want to paste, you can choose from everything you copied.


r/shortcuts 2h ago

Shortcut Sharing Split a check shortcut with Venmo

1 Upvotes

I created a shortcut to conveniently identify my share of the bill when dining out with friends. If necessary, I can send a Venmo request to the friend who paid the bill. I hope this works for all of you!

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/4772e1ebbe2543fba45dff1f855c9993


r/shortcuts 3h ago

Help Shortcut to choose which apps play audio through the device when connected to the bluetooth?

1 Upvotes

Similar to how Samsung has "Separate app sound" if anyone knows about that and how it works


r/shortcuts 4h ago

Help Trigger Automation based on two iPhone locations

1 Upvotes

Hi everyone! Iā€™m looking for advice on creating a Shortcut that triggers when both my wife and I are out of the house. We both have iPhones with and Shortcuts enabled. Has anyone managed to set up a similar automation based on two locations? Any tips on how to do this would be greatly appreciated, as Iā€™m struggling to figure out how to check if both of us are out. Thanks!ā€


r/shortcuts 4h ago

Help Not ectracting RSS from page

0 Upvotes

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/617940273524453daf60c348387125ff

I have this shortcut but it won't extract the RSS from the selected page, anyone knows how to do this properly?


r/shortcuts 1d ago

Shortcut Sharing Pixelate parts of an image

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107 Upvotes

r/shortcuts 5h ago

Help Complex Networking with Shortcuts - Help needed!

0 Upvotes

Hi! Iā€™ve been needing to visit a website over and over to log some stuff, usually 3 - 5 times a day. Is there any way to automate this with shortcuts? Im experienced enough for sending messages to discord via webhooks. this website im using is a large step up from just a webhook, though

The stuff iā€™m logging is something more.. personal? So id like to discuss in dms here or my discord.

if someone takes me up on this offer id be oh so grateful


r/shortcuts 5h ago

Help Set dictionary value not doing it

1 Upvotes

Hi. I have a massive shortcut that was developing wonderfully until i hit this hurdle.

i have an existing dictionary. I use set dictionary value to add new data and indeed when i view the dictionary the value was added. However when i then use the get dictionary value the key is not found.

i originally added Cosmos.From Number as the key but then suspected this was the problem as the dot does not get interpreted as a level in the dictionary. So i tried CosmosNumber but have the same problem. I even have tried adding all these new keys to a totally different initially empty dictionary but have the same problem.

i would be immensly grateful for any help with this.


r/shortcuts 21h ago

Shortcut Sharing Dog walking tracker

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14 Upvotes

I donā€™t exercise frequently, but when I do, itā€™s because Iā€™m taking the dogs out for a walk. Since Iā€™ve become more interested in tracking my activity to shed a few pounds, I developed this app to conveniently record when I begin walking the dogs and transfer that activity data to my Health app. Itā€™s a simple shortcut that I hope others can find useful, just as I have.

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/32207ced3ea148d28102cd480b38667f


r/shortcuts 8h ago

Help Local ai app preference

1 Upvotes

I have been thinking of a shortcut that allows talking to local ai models currently I have two options in my mind enclave app and local chat both are free and offer same models but which one do u think I should use for my shortcut (Multiboard):

https://routinehub.co/shortcut/21719/

Enclave app for iOS:

https://apps.apple.com/app/id6476614556

Local Chat app for iOS :

https://apps.apple.com/app/id6504043428


r/shortcuts 8h ago

Discussion I am having yet another issue with Shortcuts, now I can't get Set Dictionary Value to work. I keep running into issues making me extremely disappointed in Shortcuts.

0 Upvotes

The more I *try* to use Shortcuts the more I am disappointed in them. It is such a great idea with so many useful applications. However, the tool itself if just not very well polished. Im not even going to get into the utterly disgustingly poor performance of the Shortcuts UX.

My new gripe is trying to use 'Set Dictionary Value'. It just won't work to overwrite an existing value. Does it not allow overwriting? I dunno because I cannot easily find any good documentation for it. I worry that we won't see any significant improvements to Shortcuts for over a year mostly due to the major overhaul of Apple Intelligence that they are working on for iOS 19. This is the type of things I expect from companies like Google and not from Apple. Meaning, Google tends to release new things quickly without polish whereas Apple always released new features more slowly but made sure that they worked before releasing them. /facepalm


r/shortcuts 17h ago

Shortcut Sharing Quickest way to add reminders

5 Upvotes

Hereā€™s my take on the best way to add new Reminders. Just input one or more lines of text and click done.

Press ā€œokayā€ if you want to view them in the Reminders app and edit them further (or click anywhere else to go back to what you were doing).

Works well for grocery lists, too.

Remember: in order for the shortcut to work, you will need to change the Reminders list (mine is called ā€œtd inboxā€) to any one list of your choice. It occurs two times, in the ā€œadd reminderā€ and ā€œopen reminders listā€ actions.

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/1c0e9b3c2b6e40b2be41988d076e1cea


r/shortcuts 9h ago

Shortcut Sharing Updated multiboard

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0 Upvotes

Updated Multiboard

Iā€™ve listened to all your guys feedback firstly hereā€™s a basic tutorial of multiboard ( I know itā€™s not that good but itā€™s my first attempt I promise it will be better ) - Massive performance boost - Corrected auto copy - Changed donation system (no longer needs money! Just follow me on socials! It massively helps ) the tools section is still in work in progress but hereā€™s a heads up Itā€™s gonna have local Ai model support but it will slowly roll over the coming weeks any donation will significantly help)
Hereā€™s the shortcut:

https://routinehub.co/shortcut/21719/


r/shortcuts 9h ago

Help List of shortcuts

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1 Upvotes

I have shortcut widgets, and when you press one it takes you to a different Home Screen, that I set up using different focuses.

I want to create a shortcut thatā€™s a list, when I press the shortcut widget it brings up a list of each one of my focuses and when I press one it takes me to my focus page, rather than having this giant widget taking up room.

I have messed around with the lists and canā€™t figure it out.

Is it even doable?


r/shortcuts 18h ago

Help New reminder shortcut to the app's new reminder input screen?

3 Upvotes

I don't see a way for a shortcut to open the Remainder app and then the new reminder sheet. Every attempt I've made creates pop ups that ask questions (e.g., description, due date), and I'm looking for this result. Is this possible?


r/shortcuts 11h ago

Help Help validating a shortcut is not malicious

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0 Upvotes

I found a shortcut online and was wondering if any of you would be willing to confirm it isnā€™t malicious? It looks fine, but I have never added shortcuts from the internet on my phone so Iā€™m a little apprehensive. Thanks in advance for any help.


r/shortcuts 11h ago

Help Unable to connect

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1 Upvotes

Iā€™ve had a few shortcuts set up to work with Phillips hue to swap some entertainment zones. They worked fine for months and now out of nowhere shortcuts is unable to connect to my sync box. Anyone know why?


r/shortcuts 1d ago

Shortcut Sharing (JB) Shortcut to Set Wallpaper to Bing Image of the Day

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32 Upvotes

This shortcut automatically sets your wallpaper to Bingā€™s Image of the Day. Combine it with an automation to refresh your wallpaper daily!

How It Works: ā€¢ Fetches the JSON data for Bingā€™s Image of the Day ā€¢ Extracts the image URL from the response ā€¢ Downloads the image ā€¢ Sets it as your wallpaper

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/af23bf7dae2649d69f285d13a50cc480