What iPhone shortcuts actually are
A shortcut on iPhone is a custom command that runs one action or a chain of actions with a single tap. You create it in the Shortcuts app (which comes built into every iPhone), and it can do things like send a text to a specific person, open an app and jump to a particular section, play a playlist, or combine multiple steps into one. The point is to save you from repeating the same sequence of taps over and over.
Shortcuts live in the Shortcuts app itself, but you can also add them to your home screen as icons, so they sit alongside your regular apps. When you tap one, it runs whatever you told it to do — no additional steps required.
Key Takeaways
- Open the Shortcuts app, tap the plus icon, and choose "Create Shortcut" to start building one from scratch.
- Add actions by tapping the plus icon inside the shortcut editor, then search for or scroll through the available actions your iPhone can perform.
- Test your shortcut by tapping the play button before you save it, so you can catch mistakes before it goes live.
- Add a shortcut to your home screen by opening it, tapping the three dots, selecting "Add to Home Screen", and choosing an icon and name.
Opening the Shortcuts app and starting a new shortcut
Find the Shortcuts app on your home screen — it has a purple icon with a white play button. If you cannot find it, swipe down from the top of your screen and search for "Shortcuts" in the search box. Tap the app to open it.
Once inside, look at the bottom of the screen. You will see four tabs: Library, Automation, Shortcut Activity, and Search. Tap the plus icon in the top right corner (or look for a button labeled "Create Shortcut" if you are on an older version). This opens the shortcut editor, which is where you build your command.
Adding actions to your shortcut
The shortcut editor starts blank. To add an action, tap the plus icon in the middle of the screen. This opens a menu of everything your iPhone can do — send messages, open apps, play music, take photos, read text aloud, and hundreds more.
Search for what you want by typing in the search box at the top. For example, if you want to send a text message, type "send message" and tap the matching action. If you want to open an app, search for "open app". Each action you add appears as a block in the editor, and you can tap any block to change its settings.
You can chain multiple actions together. For instance, you could create a shortcut that opens Maps, searches for the nearest coffee shop, and then reads the results aloud. Each action runs in order when you tap the shortcut.
Customizing actions and testing your shortcut
After you add an action, tap it to set the details. If you added "Send Message", you will see fields where you can choose the recipient and type the message. If you added "Open App", you can pick which app to open. Fill in whatever details make sense for what you are trying to do.
Before you save, test your shortcut by tapping the play button (triangle icon) at the bottom of the screen. Your shortcut will run, and you will see whether it does what you intended. If something goes wrong, you can edit the actions and test again. This step saves you from creating a broken shortcut that does not work when you tap it later.
Naming and saving your shortcut
Once your shortcut works the way you want, tap "Done" in the top right. A dialog box appears asking you to name your shortcut. Type something clear and short — "Text Mom", "Open Spotify", "Call Work" — so you remember what it does when you see it later.
After you name it, tap "Done" again. Your shortcut is now saved in the Shortcuts app. You can run it anytime by opening the app and tapping the shortcut's name or icon.
Adding a shortcut to your home screen
If you want quick access without opening the Shortcuts app, you can put your shortcut on your home screen as its own icon. Open the Shortcuts app, find the shortcut you just created, and tap it once to open it. Then tap the three dots in the top right corner.
Scroll down and tap "Add to Home Screen". A new screen appears where you can choose an icon (a small image that represents your shortcut) and confirm the name. Tap "Add" in the top right. The shortcut now appears on your home screen like a regular app, and tapping it runs your command when ready.
Common shortcuts people create
Some shortcuts save time on tasks you do every day. A "Good Morning" shortcut might open your calendar, read today's weather aloud, and start a coffee timer. A "Bedtime" shortcut could turn on Do Not Disturb, close all open apps, and set an alarm for tomorrow. A "Commute" shortcut might open Maps to your workplace and start a podcast.
You can also create shortcuts that do things the regular iPhone interface makes harder. For example, a shortcut can take a screenshot, crop it, and send it to a specific contact in one tap. Or it can open a Notes document, add a line of text with today's date, and save it — useful for a daily log you keep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I delete a shortcut after I create it?
Yes. Open the Shortcuts app, find the shortcut, and swipe left on it. Tap the trash icon that appears. If you added it to your home screen, you can also delete it like any other app — press and hold the icon, tap "Remove App", then "Remove from Home Screen".
What if my shortcut does not work the way I expected?
Open the shortcut in the editor (tap it, then tap the three dots, then "Edit"), test it again with the play button, and check each action's settings. Common issues are selecting the wrong app, forgetting to fill in a required field like a phone number, or actions running in the wrong order. Tap any action to change it.
Can I share a shortcut I created with someone else?
Yes. Open the shortcut, tap the three dots, and tap "Share". You can send it via message, email, or AirDrop. The person who receives it can tap the link and add it to their own Shortcuts app, though they may need to adjust settings like phone numbers or app choices to match their device.
Do shortcuts work on iPad and Mac?
Yes. The Shortcuts app works the same way on iPad and Mac. You create and run shortcuts using the same steps, and you can even sync shortcuts across your devices if you use the same Apple ID.