Media & Entertainment Shortcuts

Media & Entertainment Shortcuts

1. Music Playlist Manager

What It Does

Automatically creates or updates music playlists in Apple Music—e.g., adding your latest liked tracks to a single playlist.

How to Create

  • Open the Shortcuts app and tap + (top-right).
  • Add Action > search for “Add Music to Playlist” (or “Apple Music” / “Media”).
  • Select the songs you want, or choose “Ask Each Time” to pick on the fly.
  • (Optional) Add another action like “Get Playlist” to retrieve/show the updated playlist.
  • Name it “Music Playlist Manager.”

How to Use

  • Run the shortcut to add new tracks to your chosen playlist without manually opening Apple Music.

2. Video Trimmer

What It Does

Lets you quickly trim a video to a shorter clip in Shortcuts. Ideal for social media posts or sharing highlights.

How to Create

  • Open Shortcuts, tap +.
  • Add Action > “Get Videos from Photo Album”, set it to “Ask Each Time” if needed.
  • Add “Trim Video” to select start/end times.
  • Finally, add “Save to Photo Album” or “Share” to output the trimmed clip.
  • Name it “Video Trimmer.”

How to Use

  • Run it, pick the video, trim, then save or share the final clip—no extra apps required.

3. Podcast Downloader

What It Does

Quickly open or download your favorite podcast episodes for offline listening (depending on the app’s Shortcut support).

How to Create

  • Open Shortcuts, tap +.
  • Search “Podcasts” under actions. Apple Podcasts might have “Play Podcast” or “Subscribe.”
  • If your 3rd-party app (e.g., Overcast, Pocket Casts) supports Shortcuts, look for “Download Episode,” etc.
  • Choose the show or episode you want to automate access to.
  • Name it “Podcast Downloader.”

How to Use

  • Tap it to open or download the latest episode. For Apple Podcasts, it may just open directly to the show’s episode list.

4. Create GIF from Photos

Goal

Take a series of photos (or burst shots) and instantly convert them into a GIF.

Key Actions

  • Select Photos
  • Make GIF (search “Make GIF” in Shortcuts)
  • Save or Share the final GIF

5. Meme Maker

Goal

Overlay text on an image for quick memes.

Key Actions

  • Select Photo
  • Markup / Overlay Text (in some iOS versions, you might rely on third-party apps or “Combine Images”)
  • Share to social media or Save

6. Music Sleep Timer

Goal

Automatically pause music after a set time (handy before sleeping).

Key Actions

  • Play Music (choose playlist, album, etc.)
  • Wait (set duration, e.g., 30 minutes)
  • Pause Music

General Tips: How to Customize & Use Shortcuts

  • Rename & Icons: In the shortcut’s edit screen, tap its name/icon to change for easy identification.
  • Add to Home Screen:
    • Tap the Share icon (or the … button) in the shortcut’s edit screen.
    • Select “Add to Home Screen” for one-tap access.
  • Ask Siri:
    • Pick a short name, then say “Hey Siri, ShortcutName” to run it hands-free.
  • Automations:
    • Shortcuts > Automation > Create Personal Automation: Trigger a shortcut at a time of day, upon opening an app, or arriving at a location.
  • Permissions:
    • When shortcuts access Photos, Music, or other apps for the first time, grant permissions so they run smoothly.