An iOS 18 Shortcuts workflow is a sequence of actions—individual steps that interact with apps or system features on your iPhone—to complete tasks efficiently. For example, an iOS 18 Shortcuts “Morning Routine” could turn off Do Not Disturb, play your favorite playlist, and display your calendar events with one tap. The iOS 18 Shortcuts app, pre-installed on iPhones running iOS 13 or later, empowers users to create these workflows or choose from a curated Gallery of pre-built options. Shortcuts in iOS 18 can save you significant time by streamlining repetitive tasks into a single action, boosting both convenience and efficiency.
The app’s versatility lies in its ability to work across Apple devices, including iPad, Mac (macOS Monterey 12.0 or higher), and Apple Watch (watchOS 7 or higher). With iOS 18 Shortcuts, new features like Vocal Shortcuts let users assign custom phrases to trigger tasks via Siri, such as saying “Study Mode” to open a note-taking app and enable Focus mode. This makes iOS 18 Shortcuts ideal for students, professionals, or anyone looking to simplify daily routines.
Creating a Custom iOS 18 Shortcut
Building your own iOS 18 Shortcuts is straightforward and doesn’t require coding expertise. Here’s how to create one, inspired by a Gadgets 360 guide:
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Open the Shortcuts App: Launch the iOS 18 Shortcuts app on your iPhone (iOS 13 or later). If it’s not installed, download it from the App Store.
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Start a New Shortcut: Tap the + button in the top-right corner to create a new iOS 18 Shortcuts workflow.
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Add Actions: Tap Add Action to browse categories like Media, Apps, or Controls. For example, select Media > Play Music to add a playlist, or Calendar > Create Event to schedule a task. You can add multiple actions to combine tasks, such as taking a photo and emailing it.
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Customize Settings: Edit actions by tapping highlighted options. For instance, in a “Take Photo” action, choose between front or rear camera. Arrange actions by dragging them in the editor.
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Name and Save: Tap New Shortcut, select Rename, and give it a clear name like “Morning Playlist.” Tap Done to save it to your library.
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Test It: Tap the play button in the editor to test your iOS 18 Shortcuts workflow. To run it later, tap its icon in the Shortcuts app or say, “Hey Siri, [shortcut name].”
For example, to create an iOS 18 Shortcuts workflow that texts your last photo to a contact, select Photos > Get Latest Photo followed by Messages > Send Message. Customize the recipient and test the flow. Your iOS 18 Shortcuts workflow is now ready to use.
Automating Tasks with Triggers
The real power of iOS 18 Shortcuts lies in its automation feature, which runs tasks based on specific triggers without manual input. Apple Support explains that personal automations can be set up for events like time of day, location, or device settings. Here’s how to set one up:
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Go to Automation: In the iOS 18 Shortcuts app, tap Automation and select Create Personal Automation.
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Choose a Trigger: Select triggers like Time of Day (e.g., 7:00 AM), Arrive (e.g., at home), or Settings (e.g., when AirPods connect). For instance, choose Time of Day for a morning routine.
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Add Actions: Pick actions like Play Music or Set Do Not Disturb. You can add multiple actions, such as sending a message with your ETA when leaving work.
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Set Preferences: Toggle Ask Before Running off for seamless automation, or keep it on for manual confirmation. Tap Done to activate.
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Test and Adjust: Test the automation by mimicking the trigger (e.g., wait until the set time). Edit or disable it via the Automation tab if needed.
A popular automation example is setting Do Not Disturb for a custom duration, as MakeUseOf suggests. Create an automation triggered by Time of Day, add Set Do Not Disturb for 30 minutes, and pair it with a podcast playback action for a relaxing evening routine.
Exploring the Gallery and Vocal Shortcuts
The iOS 18 Shortcuts Gallery, accessible within the app, offers a curated selection of pre-built shortcuts for tasks like calculating tips, converting videos to GIFs, or identifying songs with Shazam. Categories like “Essentials,” “Photography,” or “Get Stuff Done” make it easy to find relevant options. Tap Add Shortcut to include one in your library and customize it to fit your needs, as Apple Support highlights.
With iOS 18 Shortcuts, Vocal Shortcuts add a new dimension. As noted in an X post by @aaronp613, users can assign custom Siri phrases to trigger complex tasks. For example, saying “Coffee Run” could open Maps to the nearest café and play a driving playlist. To set this up, go to Settings > Accessibility > Vocal Shortcuts, record a custom phrase, and link it to your shortcut.
Why It Matters
iOS 18 Shortcuts empower users to reclaim time from repetitive tasks, offering a personalized way to interact with their iPhone. Whether automating daily routines or creating one-tap solutions for complex workflows, the app’s integration with Siri, third-party apps, and Apple’s ecosystem makes it a must-have tool. Social sentiment on X, like posts from @MrNobleTV, praises iOS 18 Shortcuts for making iPhones feel “brand new” with smarter, faster controls. By leveraging the Gallery or building custom automations, users can tailor their devices to their unique needs, from commuting to health tracking.
As iOS 18 continues to evolve, rumored updates like AI-driven action creation, mentioned by @iDownloadBlog, could make iOS 18 Shortcuts even more intuitive. For now, the app’s flexibility and ease of use make it a standout feature for tech enthusiasts and casual users alike, driving efficiency in a connected world.
