1. Find and Open the Shortcuts App
- Step 1: Look at your iPhone’s home screen.
- Swipe left or right to find the Shortcuts app (it has a pink and white puzzle piece icon).
- If you can’t find it, go to the App Store, type “Shortcuts” in the search bar, and download it.
- Step 2: Tap the Shortcuts app to open it.
2. Create Your First Shortcut
Let’s make a shortcut to send a quick text message!
- Step 1: Tap the “+” button at the top-right corner (like adding a new contact).
- Step 2: Tap “Add Action” (this is how you tell your phone what to do).
- Step 3: A menu will pop up. Type “Send Message” in the search bar.
- Step 4: Tap the “Send Message” action (it will turn blue).
- Step 5:
- Tap the word “Message” to type your default text, like “I’ll be home soon!”
- Tap “Recipient” and choose a contact (like your family member).
- Step 6: Tap “Next” at the top-right.
- Step 7: Name your shortcut (e.g., “Quick Text”) and tap “Done”.
Congratulations! You’ve made your first shortcut!
3. How to Use Your Shortcut
- Option 1: Open the Shortcuts app, find your shortcut (e.g., “Quick Text”), and tap it. Your message will send automatically!
- Option 2: Add it to your home screen for easy access:
- Press and hold the shortcut → Tap “Share” → Tap “Add to Home Screen” → Tap “Add”. Now you’ll see it on your home screen!
4. Try a Ready-Made Shortcut
The Shortcuts app has many fun shortcuts you can use right away!
- Step 1: Tap the “Gallery” tab at the bottom.
- Step 2: Scroll to find shortcuts like:
- “Good Morning”: Tells you the weather and plays your favorite music.
- “Walking Time”: Estimates how long it takes to walk to a place.
- Step 3: Tap “Add Shortcut” to save it to your library.
5. Make Your Phone Do Things Automatically
Let’s create an automation to play calming music at bedtime.
- Step 1: Tap the “Automations” tab at the bottom → Tap “+” → Tap “Create Personal Automation”.
- Step 2: Choose a trigger (what starts the action). For bedtime:
- Tap “Time of Day” → Set the time to 9:00 PM → Tap “Next”.
- Step 3: Tap “Add Action” → Search for “Play Music” → Select a song or playlist.
- Step 4: Tap “Next” → Turn off “Ask Before Running” (so it works automatically) → Tap “Done”.
Now, your phone will play music every night at 9 PM!
6. Fix Common Problems
- If a shortcut doesn’t work:
- Go to Settings → Shortcuts → Turn on “Allow Untrusted Shortcuts”.
- If you get lost:
- Ask Siri: “Open the Shortcuts app” or “Show me my shortcuts.”
7. Practice Ideas
Daily Reminder: Create an automation to remind you to drink water every 2 hours.
Call a Family Member: Make a shortcut to call your mom with one tap.
