Let’s face it: we are all glued to our iPhones. But are you using your device as a simple window into the internet, or are you wielding it as the powerful personal assistant it was designed to be? If you haven't explored the Shortcuts app yet, you are likely doing things the hard way. Many Apple users ignore this app because it looks a bit technical or intimidating, but here is the secret: you don’t need to be a computer programmer to use it.
Think of a Shortcut as a digital domino effect. You push one button (or say one phrase to Siri), and a whole chain of events happens automatically. Instead of opening three different apps to start your morning, one tap can do it all. By automating the repetitive parts of your day, you can reclaim minutes that eventually turn into hours.
Below, we have curated seven "genius" yet accessible iOS shortcuts that will streamline your daily routine, boost your productivity, and frankly, make you feel a little bit like a wizard.
1. The "Morning Briefing" Assistant
How much time do you spend groggily scrolling through your phone the moment you wake up? You check the weather, then you open your calendar to see your first meeting, and maybe you check the traffic or the news. It’s a recipe for distraction.
You can replace this 15-minute scroll hole with a single "Morning Briefing" shortcut. With one tap (or an automation that runs when your alarm goes off), your iPhone can:
- Turn off Sleep Focus mode.
- Fetch the day's weather report.
- Read your first calendar event out loud.
- Start playing your favorite "Wake Up" playlist or podcast.
Pro Tip: You can set this up to trigger automatically when you stop your morning alarm. Go to the "Automation" tab in the Shortcuts app to link your alarm to your briefing!
2. The "Heading Home" ETA Sender
This is a lifesaver for partners, parents, and anyone who has someone waiting for them at the end of the day. We have all been there: you get in the car, start driving, and realize 20 minutes later you forgot to text your spouse that you are on your way. Or, worse, you try to text while driving (a big no-no).
The "Home ETA" shortcut is a classic for a reason. With one tap on your home screen or by saying "Hey Siri, Heading Home," your iPhone will:
- Calculate the travel time from your current location to your home address using Apple Maps.
- Draft a text message that says: "I'm leaving now! The traffic looks okay, I'll be there in [Travel Time]."
- Send it to a specific contact automatically.
- Immediately start your navigation and play your commute playlist.
It takes the friction out of communication and keeps your eyes on the road.
3. The "Super Low Power" Mode
We have all experienced "battery anxiety." You are out late, your battery icon just turned red, and you are nowhere near a charger. The standard Low Power Mode is great, but sometimes you need extreme measures to ensure your phone survives until you get an Uber.
You can build or download a "Super Low Power" shortcut that goes beyond the basics. When triggered, it can simultaneously:
- Turn on the system Low Power Mode.
- Set screen brightness to 10%.
- Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (to stop searching for signals).
- Turn off Cellular Data (optional, if you just need to preserve juice for a phone call).
- Set volume to 0%.
This effectively puts your iPhone into a coma, sipping the absolute minimum amount of power required to stay alive until you reach a power outlet.
4. The "Instant Receipt" Scanner
If you are a freelancer, a business owner, or just someone trying to stick to a budget, managing paper receipts is a nightmare. They crumble in your pocket or fade in your wallet. The "Instant Receipt" shortcut turns your iPhone into a document scanner instantly.
Instead of opening the Notes app, creating a new note, and selecting "Scan Documents," you can place a shortcut widget on your home screen. When you tap it:
- The camera opens immediately.
- You snap the photo.
- The shortcut automatically converts the image to a PDF.
- It saves the file to a specific "Receipts" folder in your iCloud Drive or Dropbox, organized by date.
By the time you’ve put your credit card back in your wallet, the administrative work is already done.
5. The "Focus Time" Timer
The Pomodoro technique (working for 25 minutes, then taking a break) is a popular productivity method, but setting it up on your phone often leads to getting distracted by notifications. This shortcut enforces discipline.
Create a "Focus Mode" shortcut that does the following sequence:
- Turns on "Do Not Disturb" so no notifications come through.
- Sets a timer for 25 minutes.
- Starts a specific playlist (like Lo-Fi beats or White Noise).
When the timer goes off, you can have a second automation that turns "Do Not Disturb" off and vibrates the phone, signaling it’s time to stretch. It creates an instant environment for deep work without you having to fiddle with settings.
6. The "Quick Charge" Toggle
Did you know your iPhone charges faster if it isn't doing anything else? If you only have 15 minutes to charge your phone before running out the door, you want every electron to count.
Similar to the Super Low Power mode, the "Quick Charge" shortcut is designed to be toggled on when you plug in. It turns on Airplane Mode and Low Power Mode simultaneously. This stops background app refreshing, fetching emails, and searching for signals, allowing the battery to absorb the charge much faster. Just remember to toggle it off (or build a "Charge Complete" shortcut) when you unplug!
7. The "Police Interaction" or "Emergency" Recording
This is a more serious shortcut, but one that has become increasingly popular for safety and peace of mind. Often called "I'm getting pulled over," this shortcut is designed to capture objective records of a situation instantly.
With a single phrase to Siri, this shortcut can:
- Dim your screen brightness to zero (so it looks like the phone is off).
- Turn on "Do Not Disturb" to stop incoming calls.
- Send a message with your current GPS location to a designated emergency contact.
- Start recording video or audio immediately using the front-facing camera.
Having this set up in advance provides a layer of security that you hope to never use, but is invaluable if you ever do.
How to Get Started (No Coding Required!)
If you are reading this and thinking, "This sounds great, but I don't know how to build these," don't worry. Apple has done the heavy lifting for you.
- Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
- Tap the Gallery tab at the bottom right.
- Here, you will find hundreds of pre-made shortcuts organized by category (e.g., "Get Stuff Done," "Essentials," "Morning Routine").
- Search for keywords like "ETA" or "Laundry" to find templates.
- Tap the + icon to add it to your library. The app will ask you simple setup questions, like "What is your home address?" or "Who is your emergency contact?"
Widget Tip: To make these truly useful, add the Shortcuts widget to your Home Screen. Long press on your background, tap the (+) in the top left, search for "Shortcuts," and add a folder of your favorites. Now your automations are just one tap away!
Start small. Pick just one of the shortcuts above—perhaps the "Heading Home" text—and set it up today. Once you feel the satisfaction of automating that one small task, you will likely find yourself looking for other ways to let your iPhone do the heavy lifting. Reclaiming your time isn't about adding more hours to the day; it's about spending less time on the phone mechanics and more time on your actual life.