As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
iPhone Shortcuts = Apple's automation framework. Manual workflows + Personal Automations + Apple Intelligence integration. Free, built-in. Here's the 2026 complete guide.
Shortcuts app built into iOS. FREE. Apple's automation framework. Create workflows + automations.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: automation
Shortcuts →Shortcuts = manual workflows. Trigger via Siri voice, tap, widget, or Action Button.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: triggered actions
Manual →Personal Automations: auto-trigger based on conditions. Time, location, app open, charging, etc.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: automatic
Auto →Apple Intelligence integration (iOS 18+). AI-powered shortcuts. Smarter context awareness.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: iPhone 15 Pro+
AI →App Actions: 1,000+ apps support shortcuts. Massive ecosystem. Cross-app automation.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: power users
App Actions →Productivity routines. Morning shortcut: open Calendar + News + Weather + Coffee shop directions.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: routines
Productivity →Home automation: HomeKit scenes via Siri voice or Shortcuts tap. Lights, locks, climate.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: smart home
Home →Time-saving: combine multiple app actions into one tap. Eliminate repetitive multi-step tasks.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: efficiency
Time-Saving →Health + fitness: start workout in Apple Watch + play playlist + log to Health app. Single trigger.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: fitness
Health →Travel: airplane mode + offline maps download + travel apps open. Pre-flight shortcut.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: trips
Travel →Photography: trigger camera + apply filters + share to social. Photography workflow.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: photographers
Photo →Browse Gallery: Shortcuts app → Gallery tab. Apple-curated examples by category. Learn by example.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: starting
Gallery →Run pre-made shortcuts. My Shortcuts tab + Add from Gallery. Use without building from scratch.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: beginners
Pre-Made →Create your own: Plus button → Add Action → drag actions into workflow. Visual builder.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: customization
Create →Test shortcuts in editor: Run button at top. Verify workflow works before saving + sharing.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: validation
Test →Add to Lock Screen widget. iOS 16+ widgets show shortcuts. Quick access from Lock Screen.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: quick access
Lock Widget →Time of Day: every weekday 7am → Good Morning shortcut. Schedule-based automation.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: routines
Time →Arrive Location: when arriving home → join Home Wi-Fi + adjust lights + unlock door.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: home/work
Location →Leave Location: when leaving work → Driving mode + traffic alert + favorite music.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: commute
Leave →App Open: when opening Spotify → start workout playlist auto. App-triggered automation.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: app workflows
App Open →Connect Wi-Fi/Bluetooth: AirPods connect → resume Apple Music. Hardware-triggered.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: hardware
Connect →Charging: iPhone connects to charger → Do Not Disturb + Low Power Mode. Charging routine.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: battery
Charging →Email/Message received: specific sender → auto-reply or special alert. Inbox automation.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: communication
Email →AI shortcuts: Apple Intelligence integration. iPhone 15 Pro+ / iPhone 16. Smarter context.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: iPhone 15 Pro+
AI →Personal Context: Apple Intelligence reads calendar/messages to suggest shortcuts. Smart.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: AI users
Context →Writing Tools shortcut: Rewrite, Summarize, Proofread on selected text via shortcut.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: writers
Writing →Image Playground shortcut: generate images via prompts within shortcut workflows. Visual AI.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: creators
Image →Siri Intent shortcuts: newer Siri 2.0 coming iOS 19. Conversational shortcut triggers.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: future
Siri Intent →Tip 1: Magic Variables chain output of previous action to next. Powerful workflow building.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: power users
Magic Vars →Tip 2: 'If' actions for conditional logic. Branch shortcut based on data/state. Smart workflows.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: complex
If Actions →Tip 3: Repeat with Each for batch processing. Process multiple items in single shortcut.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: batch
Repeat →Tip 4: Share Sheet shortcuts. Set 'Show in Share Sheet' ON. Run from any app's Share menu.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: cross-app
Share Sheet →Tip 5: Lock Screen widgets + iPhone 15 Pro+/16 Action Button trigger shortcuts instantly.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: power users
Triggers →Tip 6: Sync shortcuts across devices via iCloud. Auto-syncs to iPad + Mac + Apple Watch.
💝 Why dads love it: Best for: ecosystem
iCloud Sync →