What a shortcut is and why you'd want one

A shortcut on your iPhone is a quick way to open an app or perform a task without hunting through menus. Instead of tapping Settings, then Wi-Fi, then your network name every time, you can create a shortcut that does all three steps with one tap. Shortcuts live on your home screen alongside your regular apps, so they're always visible and ready to use.

You can create shortcuts for things you do repeatedly: sending a text to a specific person, opening a website, turning on Do Not Disturb, or even running multiple actions in sequence. The Shortcuts app comes built into every iPhone, so you don't need to read anything extra.

Key Takeaways

  • Shortcuts are custom icons on your home screen that perform tasks or open apps with a single tap.
  • You create and manage shortcuts using the Shortcuts app, which is already installed on your iPhone.
  • The simplest shortcut is one that opens a single app, which takes less than a minute to set up.
  • You can add shortcuts that run multiple actions in sequence, like sending a message and opening a map at the same time.
  • Once created, a shortcut appears as an icon on your home screen and works just like any other app.

Opening the Shortcuts app and starting a new shortcut

Find the Shortcuts app on your iPhone — it has a purple icon with a white square and arrow. Tap it to open. At the bottom of the screen, you'll see four tabs: Shortcuts, Automation, Shared Shortcuts, and Gallery. Make sure you're on the Shortcuts tab (it's the first one on the left).

In the top right corner, tap the plus sign (+). This opens a blank shortcut where you can add actions. You'll see a search bar at the top that says "Add an action". This is where you'll tell the shortcut what to do.

Creating a straightforward shortcut that opens an app

The easiest shortcut opens a single app. In the search bar, type the name of the app you want to open — for example, "Maps" or "Messages". A list of matching actions appears. Look for one that says "Open [App Name]" and tap it.

That's the entire shortcut. Tap Done in the top right corner. Your iPhone will ask you to name the shortcut and choose an icon. Type a name like "Open Maps" or "Text Mom", then tap the colored circle to pick an icon and color. Tap Add in the top right, and the shortcut is now on your home screen.

Building a shortcut with multiple actions

More complex shortcuts combine several actions. For example, you might create one that opens a map, sets a timer, and sends a message all at once. Start the same way: open Shortcuts, tap the plus sign, and search for your first action.

After you add the first action, the search bar stays visible. Search for your second action and tap it to add it below the first one. Keep adding actions in the order you want them to run. Each action appears as a block in your shortcut, stacked from top to bottom. When you run the shortcut, it performs each action in that order.

Some actions need information from you. For example, if you add "Send Message", the shortcut will ask you which contact to send to and what the message should say. Fill in these details before you save the shortcut.

Adding a shortcut to your home screen

Once you've created a shortcut in the Shortcuts app, it automatically appears on your home screen as an icon. You can move it around just like any other app: press and hold the icon, then drag it to a new location. You can also place it in a folder by dragging it onto another app icon.

If you want to add a shortcut you found in the Gallery or one someone shared with you, open the Shortcuts app and find it in the Shared Shortcuts or Gallery tab. Tap the shortcut, then tap the plus sign or "Add Shortcut" button. It will be added to your Shortcuts tab and appear on your home screen.

Editing or deleting a shortcut

To change a shortcut you've already created, open the Shortcuts app and find it in your Shortcuts tab. Tap the three dots in the top right corner of the shortcut's card, then tap Edit. You can now add, remove, or reorder actions. When you're done, tap Done.

To delete a shortcut, press and hold its icon on your home screen and tap Remove App, or open the Shortcuts app, tap the three dots on the shortcut's card, and tap Delete. Deleting a shortcut from the Shortcuts app removes it from your home screen as well.

Troubleshooting shortcuts that don't work

If a shortcut isn't running, the most common reason is that it needs permission to access something — your contacts, location, or calendar. When you first run a shortcut that needs permission, your iPhone will ask you to allow it. Tap Allow, and the shortcut should work the next time.

If a shortcut keeps failing, open it in the Shortcuts app and check each action. Make sure any contact names or phone numbers are spelled correctly and that any apps the shortcut uses are installed on your phone. If you're using a shortcut someone else created, it might reference an app you don't have, which will cause it to fail.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a shortcut to do something that requires my password?

No. Shortcuts cannot enter passwords or access find information automatically. If a shortcut needs you to log in to something, it will open the app or website and stop, leaving the login to you.

What's the difference between a shortcut and Siri?

Shortcuts are icons you tap on your home screen. Siri is a voice assistant you set up by saying "Hey Siri" or holding the home button. You can create a shortcut that Siri can run by voice, but they're separate tools. Shortcuts give you more control over exactly what happens.

Can I share a shortcut I created with someone else?

Yes. Open the Shortcuts app, tap the three dots on your shortcut's card, and tap Share. You can send it via Messages, Mail, or AirDrop. The person receiving it can add it to their own Shortcuts app by tapping it and selecting "Add Shortcut".

Why does my shortcut ask me questions every time I run it?

The shortcut is designed to ask for input — like which contact to send a message to, or what text to include. If you want it to always do the same thing without asking, edit the shortcut and fill in those details directly instead of leaving them blank.

Can I make a shortcut run automatically at a certain time?

Yes, using the Automation tab in the Shortcuts app. Tap Automation, then the plus sign, and choose when you want the shortcut to run — at a specific time, when you arrive somewhere, or when you open an app. The shortcut will then run on its own without you tapping it.