What The Tech App of the Day: Shortcuts
BY JAMEY TUCKER, Consumer Tech Reporter
Take a look at your iPhone and somewhere on it, you’ll see an app you probably never downloaded and may have never opened.
Shortcuts might be the most powerful app on the iPhone. It lets you automate everyday tasks with a single tap or voice command. Once you start using it, you’ll wonder why Apple doesn’t talk about it more. The app comes pre installed on every iPhone. Open it and tap “Gallery” to see hundreds of
ready made shortcuts you can add instantly. Or create your own.
Here are a few of the most useful shortcuts and how to set them up.
Automatically Text Your ETA Home
This shortcut sends someone a text message with your estimated arrival time when you leave work or head home.
Great for:
● Families
● Teen drivers
● Couples
● Anyone tired of typing “be there in 20 minutes”
How to Set It Up
1. Open the Shortcuts app
2. Tap “Gallery”
3. Search for:
“ETA”
4. Choose:
“Running Late” or “ETA”
5. Tap:
“Add Shortcut”
6. Customize:
○ Who receives the text
○ Your destination
○ The message
Now just tap the shortcut and your iPhone sends the message automatically.
Create a “Take a Break” Button This one is surprisingly useful. Tap one button or say:
“Siri, take a break.”
Your iPhone can:
● Turn on Do Not Disturb
● Lower screen brightness
● Start relaxing music
● Set a timer
● Silence notifications
Basically, it creates a mini digital timeout.
How to Set It Up
1. Open Shortcuts
2. Tap the “+” button
3. Tap:
“Add Action”
Now add these actions in order:
Search and Add:
● Set Focus → Do Not Disturb → On
● Set Brightness → 25%
● Start Timer → 15 minutes
Optional:
Add:
● Play Music
Name the shortcut:
“Take a Break”
Now say:
“Hey Siri, take a break.”
And the whole thing happens automatically.
Turn Voice Notes Into Text
This may be the most useful shortcut for busy people. Tap the button, start talking, and your iPhone instantly converts your speech into text.
Perfect for:
● Story ideas
● Grocery lists
● Quick reminders
● Students
● Journalists
How to Set It Up
1. Open Shortcuts
2. Tap “+”
3. Tap:
“Add Action”
4. Search:
“Dictate Text”
5. Add:
“Show Result”
That’s it.
Tap the shortcut and start talking.
Your words instantly appear as text you can copy anywhere.
Create a Fake Incoming Call
This one is just fun.
Tap a shortcut and a few seconds later your phone rings with a fake incoming call screen.
Useful for:
● Escaping awkward conversations
● Bad dates
● Endless meetings
● Pretending Tim Cook is calling
How to Set It Up
First:
Save a fake incoming call screenshot to Photos.
Then:
1. Open Shortcuts
2. Tap “+”
3. Add Action:
“Wait” → 5 seconds
4. Add Action:
“Play Sound”
5. Add Action:
“Find Photos”
6. Filter:
Favorites or your fake call image
7. Add Action:
“Quick Look”
Now when you run it:
● The phone waits
● Rings
● Shows the fake incoming call screen
Three More Useful Shortcuts
Water Eject Shortcut
Dropped your phone in water?
This shortcut plays low frequency sounds designed to push water from the speakers.
Search online for:
“Water Eject Shortcut”
Then tap:
“Add Shortcut”
People swear by this one.
Combine Screenshots Into One Long Image
Ever take five screenshots of a recipe or text conversation?
This shortcut stitches them into one long image automatically.
Search the Gallery for:
“Combine Images”
Morning Routine Shortcut
One tap can:
● Open Calendar
● Show Weather
● Start Spotify
● Open Maps
● Read today’s reminders
Perfect before work or school.
Quick Setup
1. Create a new shortcut
2. Add actions:
○ Open App → Calendar
○ Open App → Weather
○ Open App → Spotify
3. Name it:
“Morning Routine”
Now one tap launches everything.
The best part about Shortcuts is you don’t have to be technical to use them. Apple already includes hundreds of ideas, and thousands more are available online. Most people spend years using an iPhone without ever opening the Shortcuts app. But once you do, your phone starts feeling a lot smarter.
