The fastest way to add a shortcut on your iPhone

Open the Shortcuts app (it comes built-in on most iPhones), tap the plus icon in the top right corner, then choose "Create Blank Shortcut" or pick a pre-made shortcut from the gallery. If you want a shortcut someone else made, you can add it by tapping a link they send you, or by searching the Shortcuts Gallery inside the app itself.

Once you add a shortcut, you can run it from the Shortcuts app, from your home screen, from Siri, or from the lock screen — depending on which method you choose. Each method takes a different number of steps, so pick whichever fits how you actually use your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • The Shortcuts app is built into iOS 12 and later; if you don't see it on your home screen, search for it or download it free from the App Store.
  • You can create a blank shortcut from scratch, use a template, or add a shortcut someone else built by tapping a link or searching the gallery.
  • Shortcuts can run from the Shortcuts app, your home screen as an icon, your lock screen, or by asking Siri to run them by name.
  • To put a shortcut on your home screen, create or open it, tap the three dots, select "Add to Home Screen," and choose an icon and name.

Finding and adding shortcuts from the gallery

The Shortcuts app includes a built-in gallery of shortcuts other people have made. Open the Shortcuts app, tap the Gallery tab at the bottom, and browse by category — you'll see shortcuts for things like "Convert Currency," "Create a GIF," "Sleep Timer," and hundreds more. Tap any shortcut to see what it does, then tap "Add Shortcut" to add it to your library.

You can also add a shortcut by tapping a link someone sends you. When you tap a link to a shortcut (usually shared via text, email, or a website), your iPhone will open a preview showing what the shortcut does and what permissions it needs. Tap "Add Shortcut" to save it to your Shortcuts app.

Creating a shortcut from scratch

Open the Shortcuts app and tap the plus icon in the top right. Choose "Create Blank Shortcut" to start with nothing, or pick a template if you want a starting point. The app will open an editor showing a blank canvas and a search bar at the bottom.

Search for the action you want — for example, "open app," "send message," "take photo," or "play sound." Tap an action to add it to your shortcut. Each action has settings you can customize: if you add "Open App," you'll choose which app to open; if you add "Send Message," you'll type the message text and pick a contact. Keep adding actions in order until your shortcut does what you want. Tap the play button to test it, then tap "Done" to save.

Adding a shortcut to your home screen

Once you've created or added a shortcut, you can put it on your home screen as a tap-able icon. Open the Shortcuts app, find the shortcut you want, tap the three dots next to it, and select "Add to Home Screen." A dialog will appear asking you to choose an icon (a photo, emoji, or one of the app's built-in symbols) and a name for the icon.

After you confirm, the shortcut will appear on your home screen as its own icon. Tapping it will run the shortcut immediately — no need to open the Shortcuts app first. You can move it around like any other app icon by long-pressing and dragging.

Running shortcuts from your lock screen

iOS 16 and later let you run shortcuts directly from your lock screen without unlocking your phone. Long-press your lock screen to enter edit mode, tap "Customize," scroll down, and tap the plus icon next to "Shortcuts." Choose which shortcuts you want to appear on that lock screen, then tap "Done."

Once you've added them, you'll see shortcut icons at the bottom of your lock screen. Tap any icon to run that shortcut. This is useful for shortcuts you run often — like turning on a flashlight, starting a timer, or sending a quick message.

Using Siri to run shortcuts by voice

You can name a shortcut anything you want and then ask Siri to run it. Open a shortcut, tap the three dots, and look for a field labeled "Siri Phrase" or "Voice Command." Type the phrase you want to use — for example, "start my workout" or "call mom." Tap "Done" to save.

Now you can say "Hey Siri, [your phrase]" and your iPhone will run that shortcut. Siri will confirm the action before running it, unless you turn off confirmation in the shortcut's settings. This works even when your phone is locked.

Editing and organizing your shortcuts

To change a shortcut after you've made it, open the Shortcuts app, tap the shortcut you want to edit, and tap "Edit" at the bottom. You can add new actions, delete actions, rearrange them by dragging, or change the settings of any action. Tap "Done" when you're finished.

To organize your shortcuts, you can create folders inside the Shortcuts app. Tap the three dots in the top right of the main Shortcuts screen, select "Create Folder," name it, and then drag shortcuts into it. You can also rename a shortcut by tapping the three dots next to it and selecting "Rename."

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I share a shortcut I made with someone else?

Yes. Open the shortcut, tap the three dots, and select "Share." You can copy a link to send via text or email, or share it directly to another app. The person who receives the link can tap it to add your shortcut to their Shortcuts app.

What if a shortcut asks for permission to access my photos or contacts?

When you add or run a shortcut, it will show you what permissions it needs — like access to your camera, location, or contacts. You can see these permissions before you add it. Tap "Add Shortcut" only if you trust the source and are comfortable with what it's asking for. You can change permissions later in Settings > Shortcuts.

Can I run a shortcut from another app, like Mail or Messages?

Some apps let you run shortcuts through their own menus or share sheets. In Mail, for example, you can sometimes trigger a shortcut as part of an automation. Check the app's settings or share menu to see if shortcuts are available. You can also create an automation that runs a shortcut when something happens — like when you arrive home or at a certain time of day.

Why doesn't the Shortcuts app appear on my iPhone?

The Shortcuts app comes built-in on iOS 12 and later. If you don't see it, search for "Shortcuts" on your home screen or in Settings. If it's not there, you can download it free from the App Store. Make sure your iPhone is running iOS 12 or later.

Can I delete a shortcut I don't use anymore?

Yes. Open the Shortcuts app, tap and hold the shortcut you want to remove, and select "Delete." If the shortcut is on your home screen, long-press the icon and select "Remove App," then confirm. Deleting a shortcut from your home screen doesn't delete it from the Shortcuts app — it just removes the icon.