Introduction — small automations, big time savings
Do you want to get things done faster on your iPhone? iOS Shortcuts can help. They let you automate small tasks so you do less tapping and more living.
This guide gives 30 practical shortcuts. Each one is easy to set up and useful every day. Try one today. You will be surprised how much time you save.
Before you start — a few quick tips
- Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
- Tap the plus icon to make a new shortcut.
- Use simple actions like Open App, Send Message, or Take Photo.
- Test each shortcut once before you rely on it.
- Add them to your Home Screen or use Siri to run them hands-free.
Ready? Let us jump into 30 helpful shortcuts.
1. Quick Photo to Notes
Tap once and take a photo that saves directly into Notes for easy reference.
2. Scan and Save PDF
Launch the camera, scan pages, and save a single PDF to Files without opening another app.
3. Share Location with One Tap
Send your live location to a trusted contact instantly via Messages.
4. Speed Dial Contact
Open a call to a favorite contact with one tap. Great for parents and emergency numbers.
5. Text Last Photo
Send the most recent photo to a set contact or group automatically.
6. Morning Briefing
Get weather, calendar events, and reminders in one spoken summary when you say good morning.
7. Grocery List Maker
Add items by voice to a shared shopping list in Reminders or Notes.
8. Convert Image to Text
Run OCR on a photo and copy the text to the clipboard for quick edits.
9. Expense Logger
Enter amount and category and save the record to a spreadsheet or Notes.
10. Battery Saver Mode
Turn on Low Power Mode, reduce brightness, and turn off Bluetooth with one shortcut.
11. Find My Car
Save your parking spot and get directions back later with a single button.
12. Meeting Mode
Silence your phone, turn on Do Not Disturb for a set length, and open the meeting app.
13. Quick Tip Calculator
Split a bill, add a tip, and copy the result to the clipboard.
14. Translate Clipboard
Translate copied text into another language and show the result in a notification.
15. Start Workout Playlist
Open your workout playlist and start a timer with one tap.
16. ETA Home
Send your estimated time of arrival to a loved one based on Live Location.
17. Auto-Reply While Driving
Send a preset reply to incoming texts when your motion indicates you are driving.
18. Water Reminder
Log a glass of water and remind yourself to drink at regular intervals.
19. Focus Mode Toggle
Set a shortcut to switch to a study or work focus and launch a productive app.
20. Tiny Habit Tracker
Mark daily habits like reading or stretching in a simple checklist in Reminders.
21. Save Article to Read Later
Grab the current Safari page and save it to Reading List or Notes for later.
22. GIF Maker from Live Photo
Turn a Live Photo into a GIF and save it to your photos in seconds.
23. Quick Photo Collage
Select recent images and arrange a simple collage saved as one image.
24. Email Subject Templates
Create a shortcut that drafts common email subjects and opens Mail ready to send.
25. Photo Resize for Upload
Resize or compress images to a web-friendly size before sharing.
26. Translate a Spoken Phrase
Speak into the shortcut and get an instant translated reply to speak out loud.
27. Quiet Hours Auto Reply
Set a nightly auto reply for messages during your sleep time.
28. One-Tap Timer Presets
Start 5, 10, or 25 minute timers for quick tasks or focus sessions.
29. Find Nearby Coffee
Open Maps search for coffee near your current location and show options.
30. Emergency Medical Card
Open a card with your medical info, allergies, and emergency contacts on a single tap.
How to make these shortcuts feel natural
- Put your top five shortcuts on the Home Screen.
- Use Siri names that are short and easy to say.
- Group similar shortcuts in a folder or widget for quick access.
- Test with a friend if the shortcut sends messages or data.
- Keep one backup of important automations as notes or screenshots.
Which three tasks do you repeat every day? Those are the best candidates for shortcuts.
Real-life examples — small wins that add up
Example 1
Ramesh used Quick Photo to Notes to capture receipts while shopping. At tax time he had everything neatly stored. The small habit saved hours of searching.
Example 2
Anita added a Meeting Mode shortcut. She runs it before joining video calls. Her phone no longer rings during important meetings.
These are small changes. They feel tiny at first. Soon they become habits that remove friction from busy days.
Keep privacy and safety in mind
- Be careful with shortcuts that send messages automatically. Confirm recipients.
- Avoid automations that share sensitive data without confirmation.
- Check app permissions regularly. Shortcuts may need access to location, photos, or microphone.
- Use Face ID or passcode when your shortcut opens sensitive info.
Safety first. A secure shortcut is a useful shortcut.
Make your own: a simple build example
Want to make a Quick Photo to Notes shortcut? Here is a simple plan.
- Open Shortcuts and create a new shortcut.
- Add the Take Photo action. Choose front or back camera.
- Add the Create Note action and insert the photo.
- Name the shortcut and add to Home Screen.
- Test it once to confirm the photo goes into Notes.
You just built something helpful in minutes. Try adapting it for receipts or study notes.
Final tips to keep using shortcuts
- Start with one shortcut and use it daily for a week.
- Improve it based on how you use it. Small edits make it better.
- Share useful shortcuts with family members. They will thank you.
- Explore the Shortcuts Gallery for more ideas and inspiration.
- Keep learning. A small automation today can save hours over a year.
Shortcuts are tools for everyday life. Use them to do more of what matters.
Conclusion — automate the small stuff, free up the big stuff
iOS Shortcuts let your phone work for you. These 30 ideas cover photos, messages, routines, and safety. Pick a few, set them up, and enjoy the time you get back.
What will you automate first? A two-minute setup today can save you minutes every day. Start small, and watch the little wins add up.