How to Use Siri Shortcuts to Automate Tasks on Your iPhone

Apple’s Siri Shortcuts is a powerful feature designed to help you save time and boost productivity by automating routine tasks on your iPhone. Whether sending a message, adjusting settings, or performing multi-step actions across different apps, Siri Shortcuts lets you customize your iPhone to do the heavy lifting for you with just a voice command or a tap. In this guide, we’ll walk you through what Siri Shortcuts are and how you can set them up to automate your day-to-day tasks.

1. What Are Siri Shortcuts?

Siri Shortcuts allow you to streamline actions by creating automated sequences of tasks, which can be triggered by either a voice command with Siri or by tapping a button in the Shortcuts app. These shortcuts can combine actions from your iPhone’s built-in apps, third-party apps, and even web services, letting you automate virtually any repetitive task.

For example, you can create a shortcut that sends a message to your partner when you’re leaving work, adjusts your home’s thermostat, and plays a podcast—all with a single command like, “Hey Siri, I’m heading home.”

2. Getting Started with Siri Shortcuts

Before you dive into creating your own shortcuts, it’s helpful to explore the pre-made suggestions that iOS offers based on your usage patterns. Here’s how to access Siri Shortcuts:

Open the Shortcuts App: If it’s not already installed, you can download it from the App Store.

Tap the Gallery tab: This section offers popular ready-to-use shortcuts based on apps you frequently use. It’s a great way to start exploring what’s possible.

Once you’ve familiarized yourself with the basics, you can start building your custom shortcuts.

3. How to Create a Custom Siri Shortcut

Creating a custom shortcut is simple and allows you to combine several actions into a single command. Here’s how to do it:

Open the Shortcuts app and tap the + button in the top right corner to create a new shortcut.

Search for the action you want to automate, such as Send Message, and customize it. For example, you could choose a contact and pre-set a message to be sent automatically when triggered.

Add multiple actions if needed. You can string together multiple tasks into a single shortcut, like sending a message, then turning on a smart light, and playing a specific playlist.

Set the trigger phrase. Once you’ve built your shortcut, tap the Settings icon (the small toggle in the upper-right corner) and give your shortcut a name. This is the phrase you’ll use to activate it with Siri, such as “Reading Mode.”

4. Customizing Your Shortcut Triggers

One of the great things about Siri Shortcuts is that they’re not limited to voice commands. You can trigger shortcuts in several different ways:

Via Siri Voice Commands: Simply say your custom phrase, and Siri will execute the shortcut for you. For example, you might say, “Hey Siri, start my morning routine,” which could turn on the lights, play the news, and set a reminder for the day.

Adding Shortcuts to the Home Screen: You can add shortcuts to your iPhone’s home screen for quick access with a single tap.

Tap the menu expander at the top of the screen and select Add to Home Screen

Using Automation: You can trigger shortcuts based on conditions, like a specific time of day, your location, or when connecting to a Wi-Fi network. This allows for a completely hands-free experience.

Go to the Automation tab in the Shortcuts app, and choose a Personal Automation, such as arriving at home or at a specific time of day.

5. Examples of Useful Siri Shortcuts

Here are a few examples of how you can use Siri Shortcuts to make your life easier:

Morning Routine Shortcut:

Trigger Siri to turn off your alarm, read the weather, open your calendar, and start your favorite morning playlist with a single voice command like, “Hey Siri, good morning.”

Commute Shortcut:

Create a shortcut that automatically pulls up directions to your work or home, sends an ETA message to your family, and starts playing a podcast.

Do Not Disturb at Work:

Set a shortcut that automatically enables Do Not Disturb when you arrive at your office, and turns it off when you leave.

Home Arrival Routine:

Create a sequence that adjusts your smart thermostat, unlocks the front door, and turns on the lights when you arrive home.

6. Managing and Editing Your Shortcuts

If you ever need to modify a shortcut or want to delete one, here’s how to manage them:

Open the Shortcuts app and go to the My Shortcuts tab.

Tap on the shortcut you want to edit, and you can rearrange or change actions by tapping the action cards.

To delete a shortcut, press and hold it, then tap Delete.

You can also duplicate shortcuts if you want to create similar automations with small tweaks.

7. Tips for Making the Most of Siri Shortcuts

Start simple: Begin with one or two basic actions before building more complex shortcuts. This will help you get familiar with how everything works.

Experiment with automation: Use location-based or time-based automation to trigger your shortcuts without manually activating them.

Check out the Shortcuts Gallery: The built-in gallery is full of ideas for productivity, entertainment, health, and more. These are great for inspiration and as a starting point.

Conclusion

Siri Shortcuts are a game-changer for anyone looking to save time and automate their iPhone tasks. With just a few taps or a simple voice command, you can streamline your day-to-day routines and improve your productivity. Whether you’re automating your morning routine, controlling smart home devices, or simplifying your commute, Siri Shortcuts gives you the power to create personalized solutions that fit your life.