Popular Shortcuts

Popular Shortcuts

Enhance your iOS experience with these essential Shortcuts

PDF Converter Icon PDF Converter

What It Does:

Quickly convert photos and documents into PDF format making it easy to share, store or print your files.

How to Create It:

Convert Photos to PDF

  1. Open the Shortcuts App:
    • Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Create a New Shortcut:
    • Tap the + icon in the top right corner.
    • Tap Add Action.
  3. Select Photos:
    • Search for and select “Select Photos”.
    • Enable Select Multiple if you want to convert several photos at once.
  4. Make PDF:
    • Tap the + button below the previous action.
    • Search for and select “Make PDF”.
    • This action will convert the selected photo into a single PDF document.
  5. Save or Share the PDF:
    • Tap the + again.
    • Choose “Save File” to store the PDF in iCloud Drive or “Share” to send it via email, Messages, or other apps.
    • For Save File:
      • Select your desired Destination Path (e.g., iCloud Drive > Shortcuts).
      • Toggle Ask Where to Save if you want to choose the location each time.
  6. Name and Save the Shortcut:
    • Tap the Settings icon (three dots) at the top.
    • Enter a name like “Photos to PDF”.
    • (Optional) Tap Add to Home Screen for quick access.
    • Tap Done to save.
  7. Convert Documents to PDF:
    • Follow Steps 1-2 Above.
    • Select Files:
      • Instead of “Select Photos”, search for and select “Select File”.
      • Enable Select Multiple if needed.
    • Make PDF:
      • Add “Make PDF” as in the photo converter.
    • Save or Share the PDF:
      • Add “Save File” or “Share” as described above.
    • Name and Save the Shortcut:
      • Use a name like “Documents to PDF”.
      • Tap Done.

How to Use It:

  • Run the Shortcut: Tap “Photos to PDF” or “Documents to PDF” from the Shortcuts app or your Home Screen.
  • Select Files: Choose the photos or documents you want to convert.
  • Save or Share: The shortcut will automatically create a PDF and save or share it based on your setup.

Auto-Responder Icon Auto-Responder

What It Does:

Automatically sends predefined replies to messages or emails when you’re busy or unavailable, ensuring timely communication without manual intervention.

How to Create It:

Note:

iOS Shortcuts have some limitations when it comes to fully automated responses due to privacy and security restrictions. However, you can set up an automation that prompts you to send a response when certain conditions are met.

Auto-Respond to Messages (Manual Confirmation Required)

  1. Open the Shortcuts App:
    • Launch Shortcuts on your device.
  2. Create a New Automation:
    • Tap Automation at the bottom.
    • Tap the + icon in the top-right corner.
    • Select Create Personal Automation.
  3. Choose a Trigger:
    • For example, Do Not Disturb is enabled:
    • Scroll down and select Do Not Disturb.
    • Choose Turns On.
    • Tap Next.
  4. Add Action: Send Message
    • Tap Add Action.
    • Search for “Send Message” and select it.
    • In the Recipients field, select who you want to auto-respond to.
    • In the Message field, type your auto-response (e.g., “I’m currently busy and will get back to you later.”).
  5. Disable “Ask Before Running”:
    • Toggle Ask Before Running to OFF.
    • Confirm by tapping Don’t Ask.
  6. Save the Automation:
    • Tap Done.

Auto-Respond to Emails

Automating email responses typically requires integration with third-party apps or services like Gmail or Outlook that support scripting or specific automation triggers. Here’s a basic approach using the Mail app:

  1. Open the Shortcuts App and Create a New Automation:
    • Follow steps 1-2 above.
  2. Choose a Trigger:
    • For example, Time of Day (e.g., during working hours).
    • Tap Next.
  3. Add Action: Send Email
    • Tap Add Action.
    • Search for “Send Email” and select it.
    • Fill in the Recipients, Subject, and Body with your auto-response message.
  4. Disable “Ask Before Running”:
    • Toggle Ask Before Running to OFF.
    • Confirm by tapping Don’t Ask.
  5. Save the Automation:
    • Tap Done.

Important: Automated email responses might require additional setup depending on your email provider. Consider using official vacation responder features provided by email services for more reliable automation.

How to Use It:

  • Enable Do Not Disturb: When you turn on Do Not Disturb, the automation will trigger and send the auto-response to specified contacts.
  • Scheduled Auto-Responder: The email automation will send responses based on the time of day you set.
  • Caution: Ensure that your automations are configured correctly to avoid unintended messages. Review your settings periodically.

Battery Saver Icon Battery Saver

What It Does:

Optimizes your device settings to extend battery life with a single tap, making it easier to manage power consumption during low battery situations.

How to Create It:

  1. Open the Shortcuts App:
    • Launch Shortcuts on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Create a New Shortcut:
    • Tap the + icon in the top-right corner.
    • Tap Add Action.
  3. Enable Low Power Mode:
    • Search for “Set Low Power Mode” and select it.
    • Toggle Turn to ON.
  4. Adjust Screen Brightness:
    • Tap the + button below the previous action.
    • Search for “Set Brightness” and select it.
    • Slide the brightness level to a lower percentage (e.g., 30%).
  5. Disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (Optional):
    • Bluetooth:
      • Tap the + button.
      • Search for “Set Bluetooth” and select it.
      • Toggle Turn to OFF.
    • Wi-Fi:
      • Tap the + button.
      • Search for “Set Wi-Fi” and select it.
      • Toggle Turn to OFF.
  6. Add a Notification (Optional):
    • Tap the + button.
    • Search for “Show Notification” and select it.
    • Enter a message like “Battery Saver Activated”.
  7. Name and Save the Shortcut:
    • Tap the Settings icon (three dots).
    • Enter a name like “Battery Saver”.
    • (Optional) Tap Add to Home Screen for quick access.
    • Tap Done to save.

How to Use It:

  • Run the Shortcut: Tap “Battery Saver” from the Shortcuts app or your Home Screen.
  • Effect: The shortcut will enable Low Power Mode, reduce screen brightness, and optionally disable Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to conserve battery.
  • Tip: Customize the shortcut based on which settings you prefer to adjust for maximum battery saving. You can also create a corresponding “Battery Saver Off” shortcut to revert settings when needed.

Morning Routine Icon Morning Routine

What It Does:

Sets up your device for the day by adjusting settings, fetching information, and starting activities like playing music or reading news.

How to Create It:

  1. Open Shortcuts:
    • Launch Shortcuts → Tap + → Add Action.
  2. Get Weather:
    • Search for “Get Current Weather” and select it.
    • Select your current location.
  3. Show Weather:
    • Add “Show Notification” or “Speak Text”.
    • Format the weather information (e.g., “Good morning! It’s currently [Temperature]° with [Condition].”).
  4. Play Music:
    • Add “Play Music” and select your favorite morning playlist.
  5. Show Calendar Events:
    • Add “Find Calendar Events”.
    • Set the filter to Today.
    • Add “Show Notification” to display your day’s schedule.
  6. Adjust Settings:
    • Add “Set Brightness” to a preferred level.
    • Add “Set Volume” to a comfortable level.
  7. Name and Save:
    • Name it “Morning Routine”.
    • Tap Done.

How to Use It:

  • Run the Shortcut: Tap “Morning Routine” from the Shortcuts app or your Home Screen, or say, “Hey Siri, Morning Routine.”
  • Effect: It will provide a weather update, start your playlist, display your day’s events, and adjust device settings accordingly.

Focus Mode Switch Icon Focus Mode Switch

What It Does:

Quickly activates Focus Mode (e.g., Do Not Disturb) along with related settings to help you concentrate without distractions.

How to Create It:

  1. Open Shortcuts:
    • Launch Shortcuts → Tap + → Add Action.
  2. Set Focus Mode:
    • Search for “Set Focus” and select it.
    • Choose Do Not Disturb or another Focus mode you’ve set up.
  3. Adjust Device Settings:
    • Add “Set Brightness” and set it to a lower level.
    • Add “Set Volume” and set it to a lower level.
  4. Stop Notifications:
    • While Set Focus handles most notification settings, you can add additional actions like “Set Bluetooth” to OFF if you prefer.
  5. Name and Save:
    • Name it “Focus Mode”.
    • Tap Done.

How to Use It:

  • Run the Shortcut: Tap “Focus Mode” from the Shortcuts app or your Home Screen, or say, “Hey Siri, Focus Mode.”
  • Effect: Activates Do Not Disturb, lowers brightness and volume, and adjusts other settings to help you concentrate.

Share ETA Shortcut Icon Share ETA Shortcut

What It Does:

Sends your estimated time of arrival (ETA) or current location to a selected contact, keeping them informed about your whereabouts.

How to Create It:

  1. Open Shortcuts:
    • Launch Shortcuts → Tap + → Add Action.
  2. Get Current Location:
    • Search for “Get Current Location” and add it.
  3. Get Travel Time:
    • Add “Get Travel Time”.
    • Destination: Set to a specific contact’s address or use Ask for Input to choose dynamically.
  4. Format the Message:
    • Add “Text”.
    • Create a message template like:
      • Hey [Contact Name], I’m on my way! My ETA is [Travel Time]. See you soon!
  5. Send the Message:
    • Add “Send Message”.
    • Recipient: Select the contact or use Ask Each Time.
    • Message: Use the formatted text from the previous step.
  6. Name and Save:
    • Name it “Share ETA”.
    • Tap Done.

How to Use It:

  • Run the Shortcut: Tap “Share ETA” from the Shortcuts app or your Home Screen, or say, “Hey Siri, Share ETA.”
  • Effect: It will calculate your travel time to the destination and send an automated message to your selected contact.
  • Tip: Customize the destination to frequently visited places like home or work for quicker setup.

Health Check Icon Health Check

What It Does:

Provides a quick summary of your daily health data, such as steps taken, heart rate, and more, directly from the Health app.

How to Create It:

  1. Open Shortcuts:
    • Launch Shortcuts → Tap + → Add Action.
  2. Get Health Data:
    • Search for “Get Health Sample” and select it.
    • Choose the data type (e.g., Steps, Heart Rate).
    • Set the date range (e.g., Today).
  3. Combine Text:
    • Add “Text”.
    • Create a summary, such as:
      • Today you took [Steps] steps and your average heart rate was [Heart Rate] bpm.
  4. Show or Speak the Result:
    • Add “Show Notification” or “Speak Text” to display or hear the summary.
  5. Name and Save the Shortcut:
    • Name it “Health Check”.
    • Tap Done.

How to Use It:

  • Run the Shortcut: Tap “Health Check” from the Shortcuts app or your Home Screen, or say, “Hey Siri, Health Check.”
  • Effect: Displays or reads out your daily health metrics.

Expense Tracker Icon Expense Tracker

What It Does:

Quickly log your daily expenses into a spreadsheet or note for easy tracking and budgeting.

How to Create It:

  1. Open Shortcuts:
    • Launch Shortcuts → Tap + → Add Action.
  2. Ask for Input:
    • Add “Ask for Input”.
    • Prompt: “What did you spend money on?”
    • Input Type: “Text”.
  3. Ask for Amount:
    • Add another “Ask for Input”.
    • Prompt: “How much did you spend?”
    • Input Type: “Number”.
  4. Format the Entry:
    • Add “Text”.
    • Create a log entry:
      • [Current Date]: [First Input] - $[Second Input]
  5. Save to Notes or Spreadsheet:
    • Notes:
      • Add “Append to Note”.
      • Select or create a note named “Expenses”.
    • Spreadsheet (using Numbers or Google Sheets):
      • Integrate with the respective app’s actions or use “Save File” to export entries.
  6. Name and Save:
    • Name it “Log Expense”.
    • Tap Done.

How to Use It:

  • Run the Shortcut: Tap “Log Expense” from the Shortcuts app or your Home Screen, or say, “Hey Siri, Log Expense.”
  • Effect: Enter what you spent on and the amount, and it logs the information in your chosen location.

Currency Converter Icon Currency Converter

What It Does:

Quickly converts amounts between different currencies using current exchange rates.

How to Create It:

  1. Open Shortcuts:
    • Launch Shortcuts → Tap + → Add Action.
  2. Ask for Amount:
    • Add “Ask for Input”.
    • Prompt: “Enter amount to convert.”
    • Input Type: “Number”.
  3. Ask for Currency Type:
    • Add another “Ask for Input”.
    • Prompt: “Convert from (e.g., USD).”
    • Input Type: “Text”.
  4. Ask for Target Currency:
    • Add another “Ask for Input”.
    • Prompt: “Convert to (e.g., EUR).”
    • Input Type: “Text”.
  5. Fetch Exchange Rate:
    • Add “Get Contents of URL”.
    • URL: Use an API like ExchangeRate-API:
      https://v6.exchangerate-api.com/v6/YOUR_API_KEY/latest/[First Currency]
    • Replace YOUR_API_KEY with your actual API key.
    • Replace [First Currency] with the first input (from currency).
  6. Parse JSON:
    • Add “Get Dictionary Value”.
    • Key: [Second Currency] (the target currency).
  7. Calculate Conversion:
    • Add “Calculate”.
    • Formula: [Amount] * [Exchange Rate].
  8. Show Result:
    • Add “Show Result” or “Speak Text”.
    • Example:
      [Amount] [From Currency] is equal to [Result] [To Currency].
  9. Name and Save the Shortcut:
    • Name it “Currency Converter”.
    • Tap Done.

How to Use It:

  • Run the Shortcut: Tap “Currency Converter” from the Shortcuts app or your Home Screen, or say, “Hey Siri, Currency Converter.”
  • Enter Details: Provide the amount, source currency, and target currency.
  • Receive Conversion: View or hear the converted amount.

Clipboard Manager Icon Clipboard Manager

What It Does:

Manages your clipboard by saving copied items automatically or clearing the clipboard after a set time for privacy.

How to Create It:

Automatically Save Clipboard to Notes

  1. Create a Personal Automation:
    • Open Shortcuts → Tap Automation → Create Personal Automation → App.
  2. Trigger:
    • Select “App”.
    • Choose “Any App” (or specific apps like Safari, Notes).
    • Select “Is Opened”.
    • Tap Next.
  3. Add Action:
    • Search for “Get Clipboard” and add it.
    • Add “Append to Note”.
    • Select or create a note named “Clipboard History”.
  4. Disable “Ask Before Running”:
    • Toggle “Ask Before Running” to OFF.
    • Confirm by tapping Don’t Ask.
  5. Save the Automation:
    • Tap Done.

Automatically Clear Clipboard

  1. Create a New Shortcut:
    • Open Shortcuts → Tap + → Add Action.
  2. Set Clipboard to Empty:
    • Add “Set Clipboard”.
    • Leave the content blank to clear it.
  3. Set a Timer (Optional):
    • Add “Wait” and set the desired time (e.g., 10 minutes).
    • After waiting, run the “Set Clipboard” action.
  4. Name and Save the Shortcut:
    • Name it “Clear Clipboard”.
    • Tap Done.

How to Use It:

  • Clipboard Saving Automation: Whenever the specified app is opened, the current clipboard content is saved to your “Clipboard History” note.
  • Clipboard Clearing Shortcut: Run “Clear Clipboard” manually or set up an automation to run it periodically.
  • Caution: Automatically clearing the clipboard may interfere with your workflow if you rely on copied data.

Using & Managing Icon Using & Managing the Shortcuts

  • Add to Home Screen:
    • Open the Shortcuts App and navigate to My Shortcuts.
    • Tap the ellipsis (•••) on the shortcut you want to add.
    • Tap the Share icon at the bottom.
    • Select Add to Home Screen.
    • Customize the icon and name if desired, then tap Add.
  • Use with Siri:
    • Name Your Shortcut Clearly: Use simple and distinct names (e.g., “Battery Saver,” “PDF Converter”).
    • Activate with Siri: Say “Hey Siri, [Shortcut Name]” to run the shortcut.
    • Example: “Hey Siri, Battery Saver”
  • Set Up Automations:
    • Open Shortcuts App and tap Automation at the bottom.
    • Tap the + icon to create a new automation.
    • Choose a Trigger (e.g., time of day, arriving at a location, connecting to Wi-Fi).
    • Select the Shortcut you want to run automatically.
    • Follow the prompts to customize and enable the automation.
  • Customize Shortcut Icons:
    • Edit the Shortcut: Open Shortcuts, tap the ellipsis (•••) on the shortcut.
    • Change Icon: Tap the Settings icon, then tap Icon and choose a color and glyph that represent the shortcut.
    • Save Changes: Tap Done.

Tips & Cautions Icon Tips & Cautions

  • Customize Based on Your Needs:
    • Modify prompts, messages, and actions to better fit your personal or professional workflow.
  • Organize Your Shortcuts:
    • Use folders within the Shortcuts app to categorize shortcuts (e.g., Productivity, Health, Utilities).
  • Use Variables for Flexibility:
    • Incorporate “Ask for Input” and variables to make shortcuts dynamic and adaptable to different scenarios.
  • Combine Multiple Actions:
    • Create powerful shortcuts by chaining multiple actions together, such as fetching data, processing it, and sharing results.
  • Test Your Shortcuts:
    • Run your shortcuts after creation to ensure they work as expected and make any necessary adjustments.
  • Keep Shortcuts Updated:
    • Periodically review and update your shortcuts to accommodate any changes in your routines or to integrate new features.
  • Leverage Automation:
    • Use automations to run shortcuts based on triggers like time of day, location, or device status.
  • Legal/Copyright:
    • Only download files you have rights to.
  • File Types:
    • If you’re not sure of the file extension, you can set “Save File” to prompt you.
  • Network Connectivity:
    • Ensure you’re on Wi-Fi (especially if the file is large).
  • Service Blocks:
    • Some streaming sites block direct downloads.
  • Renaming:
    • If you want more control, you can chain actions like “Rename File” or use “Save File” with a custom path.

Final Wrap-Up Icon Final Wrap-Up

The **PDF Converter**, **Auto-Responder**, and **Battery Saver** shortcuts enhance your iOS device’s functionality by automating common tasks, managing your device’s power consumption, and ensuring timely communication. Additionally, shortcuts like **Morning Routine**, **Focus Mode Switch**, **Share ETA Shortcut**, **Health Check**, **Expense Tracker**, **Currency Converter**, and **Clipboard Manager** offer a range of utilities to streamline your daily activities and improve productivity. By leveraging these popular shortcuts, you can significantly enhance your workflow, maintain better organization, and optimize your device’s performance. Remember to **customize**, **test**, and **organize** your shortcuts to maximize their effectiveness and ensure they align with your specific needs. Enjoy a more efficient and personalized iOS experience!