Siri Shortcuts have been around for a while, but Apple just really made them useful with iOS 14. More options are available, automations are easier to run, and using a shortcut no longer launches the Shortcuts app. These are all excellent things. Here are the top 12 Siri Shortcuts and automations for iPhone power users if you’re trying to use Shortcuts to simplify your life.
Best Siri Shortcuts and Automations for iPhone in 2022
There are several shortcuts available for the iPhone shortcuts app. However, the most of them are really simple and won’t significantly improve how you use your iPhone. However, there are also quite a few that are incredibly helpful.
In this article, we’ll go over the iOS 14 shortcuts that are most useful. This covers all types of shortcuts, including those for music, automations, and video games. If you don’t want to go through the full list, utilise the table of contents to jump to a certain shortcut.
1. Change Apple Watch Face
You can now simply change the face of your Apple Watch using shortcuts thanks to iOS 14 and watchOS 7. Additionally, since Shortcuts can be used directly on Apple Watch, you are not required to run it from your iPhone.
Additionally, you can programme an automation to switch watch faces on its own at particular times, places, etc. For instance, after work hours, I like switching my watch face to one that is simpler. Here’s how to go about it.
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap on Automation . Tap on the plus icon on the top right of your screen.
- Tap on Create Personal Automation and select Time of Day .
- Select the time you want to change the watch face, then tap on Next .
- Tap on Add Action . Search for watch and tap on Set Watch Face .
- Tap on the Face placeholder as shown below and choose the watch face you want to switch to.
- Tap on Next , disable Ask Before Running and tap Done .
Your watch face will change automatically at the moment you specify thanks to the automation.
2. Get Song Links Across Streaming Platforms
Given the variety of music streaming services available, it’s possible that you and your friends utilise various services. Therefore, sending a Spotify link to someone who uses Apple Music is essentially pointless. Fortunately, you can share URLs across platforms by using this shortcut.
- Download the shortcut here.
- Open the streaming app you want to share music from. I m using Apple Music here. Tap on the three dot menu. In the share sheet, scroll down a bit and tap on the Song.Link option.
- The shortcut will show you streaming services along with whether a link was found or not. Select the one you want. I m choosing Spotify.
- You can now copy the URL, share it, or directly open Spotify with the link. Once you re done, just tap on Exit to close the shortcut.
3. Automatically Launch Spotify When Connected to Bluetooth Device
If you enjoy using Spotify while you drive, this automation will come in handy. Because Spotify doesn’t appear in the list of apps in Shortcuts, configuring it is more difficult than configuring any other app. There is, however, a workaround.
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap on Automation . Tap on the plus icon on the top right of your screen.
- Tap Create Personal Automation and select Bluetooth .
- Tap Choose and select the device you want. For testing, I m choosing my AirPods and AirPods Pro. Tap Done .
- Tap Next and then tap on Add Action .
- Choose Scripting and then tap on Open App .
- Tap on Choose and select Spotify from the list.
- Tap Next and then tap on Done .
This automation’s only drawback is that it won’t operate automatically. Your iPhone will prompt you to decide whether to perform the automation whenever it is paired with a Bluetooth device. Unfortunately, there isn’t yet a solution to this.
If your car has CarPlay, you can utilise that as the trigger rather than Bluetooth, and the automation will then operate on its own.
4. Launch Spotify Playlist When Connected to Bluetooth Device
You can follow the instructions below if you want to always listen to the same Spotify playlist while driving.
- Open the playlist you want in Spotify. Tap on the three dot icon and then tap on share.
- Copy the URL for the playlist.
- Create a new automation with Bluetooth or CarPlay triggers and select Add Action . Search for URL and select Open URLs .
- Paste your copied URL into the action. Tap Next and save the automation.
Now, whenever this automation runs, the Spotify app will launch the Spotify playlist for you immediately. Pretty cool, no?
5. Schedule Messages to be Sent Later
This Siri Shortcut for iPhone is quite helpful if you frequently find yourself in circumstances where you need to send messages at a later time without forgetting. It takes some effort to set up, but once you have reminders scheduled, you’re ready to go.
This shortcut can be downloaded from here.
Please be aware that using the shortcut will not deliver the message at the stated time automatically. You will instead receive a notice for the message. When you tap the notice, the shortcut will send the message on your behalf.
6. Toggle DND When Playing a Game
Notifications that pop down while playing games are undoubtedly one of the most annoying things. They obscure your perspective, and if you’re playing COD Mobile or PUBG Mobile, the distraction will certainly cause you to lose the game.
However, this issue can be resolved for you with some basic automation.
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap on Automation . Tap on the plus icon on the top right of your screen.
- Tap on Create Personal Automation and select App .
- Choose the app you want to run the automation for. I m choosing Call of Duty. Tap Next .
- Tap Add Action . Search for Do not disturb and select Set Do Not Disturb .
- Tap on the variable that reads off and change it to on .
- Tap Next , disable Ask Before Running and tap on Done .
Your iPhone will now enter Do Not Disturb mode once you launch your preferred game (in this case, COD).
7. Enable Guided Access While Playing Games
If you’re anything like me, you probably use three or four fingers to play Call of Duty. But frequently, tapping the fire button with your index finger will result in you dragging down the control centre. Fortunately, you can immediately start guided access when you start your games thanks to Siri automations in iOS 14.
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap on Automation . Tap on the plus icon on the top right of your screen.
- Tap on Create Personal Automation and select App .
- Choose the app you want to run the automation for. I m choosing Call of Duty. Tap Next .
- Tap Add Action . Search for Guided Access and select Start Guided Access .
- Tap Next , disable Ask Before Running , and tap on Done .
8. Speak Text When Battery is Fully Charged
You receive notifications from iOS 14 when your Apple Watch is fully charged. It would be fantastic if you could simply determine when your iPhone was finished charging, though, wouldn’t it? That is possible with a simple automation.
- Open the Shortcuts app and tap on Automation . Tap on the plus icon on the top right of your screen.
- Tap Create Personal Automation and select Battery Level .
- Drag the slider to the end, and select Equals 100% . Tap Next .
- Tap Add Action . Search for Speak and select Speak Text .
- Tap on Text and type the phrase of your choice.
- Tap Next , disable Ask Before Running , and tap on Done .
As soon as your iPhone reaches 100% charge, your selected phrase will start to play. In other words, you can take it off the charger once the charging is complete to avoid having your battery charge unnecessarily.
9. Shortcut to Read Weather, Play News and More
You probably check the forecast for the day and read the news every morning. On an iPhone, shortcuts can simplify this for you. Download this shortcut by yourself (download).
This shortcut will read out the weather, your Calendar events and reminders, the news, and finally the weather.
10. Download YouTube Videos
You don’t need to try out random downloading apps if you want to save a movie you’re watching on your iPhone for sharing or editing. YouTube videos can now be downloaded using Siri Shortcuts.
11. Switch User Accounts on Apple TV
You can swap user accounts using Siri Shortcuts if you have an Apple TV in your home. That may be really helpful. If you believe you might want to do this, you should read our post on switching Apple TV users using Siri Shortcuts.
12. Eject Water from iPhone
Yes, it is what you read. You may even use Siri Shortcuts to eject water from inside the iPhone if it was submerged in water or if you decided to wash it because it was just too dirty (not advised, by the way).
Use Siri Shortcuts and Automations on your iPhone
The following list includes 12 practical Siri shortcuts and automations for iPhone that you may apply right away. As you can see, Siri Shortcuts are really versatile right now, especially with their improved app integration. Which Siri automations and shortcuts are you currently using on your iPhone? Please share any further fascinating automations you may have in the comments section.
