⚡ How to Use iOS Shortcuts App (2026)

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⚡ Start with Apple Gallery shortcuts (Tip Calculator, GIF Maker). Then explore RoutineHub.co for community shortcuts.

iOS Shortcuts is the most underused app on iPhone — it's free, built-in, and powerful enough to automate dozens of daily tasks. Here's the 2026 complete setup guide + best Apple-provided shortcuts.

⚡ iOS Shortcuts App Setup (Complete 2026 Guide)

Shortcuts app is built into iOS (pre-installed)

FreeApple OEM

Shortcuts app comes pre-installed on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch. Free. Powerful automation.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: first-time users

Shortcuts App →

Open Shortcuts → Gallery → browse Apple's pre-built shortcuts

Easy startRecommended

Shortcuts → Gallery tab → browse hundreds of Apple's pre-built shortcuts. Tap + to add to your library.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: getting started

Shortcuts Gallery →

Browse shortcuts categories: Photography, Music, Sharing, etc.

CategorizedApple-curated

Categories: Photography, Music, Sharing, Health, Education, Productivity. Find shortcut for your use case.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: browsing

Categories →

Run shortcut: tap to run, or Siri trigger, or Home Screen button

Multiple triggersFlexible

Tap shortcut in app, or say 'Hey Siri [shortcut name]', or add to Home Screen as button. Multiple ways to run.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: triggering

Run Triggers →

Build your own: Shortcuts → + → drag actions in sequence

Custom workflowsApple-easy

Tap + → add actions step-by-step. Drag actions to reorder. Like visual programming for non-coders.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: power users

Build Custom →

🎯 Most Useful Apple-Provided Shortcuts

Tip Calculator (tip + split bill)

Quick mathDaily use

Quick tip calculator: enter total → calculate 15-20% → split among diners. Saves doing math at restaurants.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: restaurant goers

Tip Calculator →

Make Animated GIF (from photo burst)

CreativeUseful

Convert burst photos to animated GIF. Share on social. Built-in shortcut.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: social media

GIF Maker →

Speak Time (Siri reads current time)

AccessibilityUnderused

Tap → Siri speaks current time. Useful when hands occupied or for accessibility.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: hands-busy moments

Speak Time →

Convert Spotify to Apple Music

Cross-platformMigration

Convert Spotify playlists/songs to Apple Music. Helpful when switching services.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: service switchers

Spotify Convert →

Translate Photo Text

Live Text + TranslateUnderused

Take photo of foreign text → shortcut translates to your language. Great for travel.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: travelers

Translate Photo →

Find My Parked Car (auto-saves location)

Memory aidUseful

When you disconnect from CarPlay, shortcut saves GPS. Use to find car later in big parking lots.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: city drivers

Parked Car →

🏠 Home Screen + Lock Screen Shortcuts

Add shortcut to Home Screen (icon button)

Visual launcherEasy

Shortcut → tap (...) → Add to Home Screen. Creates icon on Home Screen → tap to run shortcut.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: visual access

Home Screen Icon →

Add shortcut to Lock Screen (widget, iOS 16+)

Lock ScreenUnderused

Lock Screen widgets can run shortcuts. Hold Lock Screen → Customize → Widget → Shortcut.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: quick access

Lock Widget →

Custom icon for shortcut (Apple icons or custom)

PersonalizeCreative

When adding to Home Screen, customize icon — pick from emojis or upload custom image. Cute customization.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: aesthetic Home Screens

Custom Icon →

Add to Control Center (Settings → Control Center)

Always accessibleiOS 18+

iOS 18+ Control Center supports shortcut buttons. Settings → Control Center → add Shortcut.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: always-accessible shortcuts

Control Center →

🤖 Siri Voice Triggers

Set custom Siri phrase: 'Hey Siri, run [name]'

Voice triggerHands-free

Hey Siri [shortcut name] = runs shortcut. No tap needed. Best for hands-busy moments.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: hands-free use

Siri Trigger →

Customize trigger phrase (Settings → Shortcut → Siri)

PersonalizeMemorable

Default trigger = shortcut name. Customize to anything memorable: 'morning routine,' 'commute home.'

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: memorable triggers

Custom Phrase →

Disable confirmation prompts (run silently)

Smoother UXPer-shortcut

Default: Siri confirms 'Are you sure?' before running. Shortcut → Settings → 'Ask Before Running' OFF for instant.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: frequent shortcuts

Confirmation Off →

📱 Sharing + Importing Shortcuts

Share shortcut via iCloud link

ShareEasy

Long-press shortcut → Share → iCloud Link. Sends to friends. They tap link → adds to their Shortcuts library.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: friend sharing

Share Shortcut →

Import from RoutineHub.co (popular shortcut directory)

Community libraryUnderused

RoutineHub.co is the #1 community shortcut directory. Browse + import 1000s of community shortcuts.

💝 Why dads love it: Best for: discovery

RoutineHub →

Allow Untrusted Shortcuts: Settings → Shortcuts

Required for importsSecurity

By default iOS blocks 3rd-party shortcut imports. Settings → Shortcuts → Advanced → 'Allow Untrusted Shortcuts.'