What are Shortcuts and How to Build Them - Shortcuts 101

[@ChrisLawley]

What all would you like to see in future Shortcuts videos?

[@gabrieltataru7366]

Some shortcuts for sharesheet ? :D

[@veritas.ve.42]

Continuing with the notes example, how to get the shortcut to first choose from a list of existing folders and then create a new note (typed or dictated) or clipboard either within a specific existing note or as a new note? E.g. open a folder called “Ideas”, then open a note called “scratchpad” and create the new note or clipboard within scratchpad. Or alternatively create the new note or clipboard as a new note within folder “Ideas”.

[@astra1360]

I'd love for you to review the now very prominent Icon Themer shortcut. It is extremely powerful and really shows what shortcuts are capable of. Also it seems quite useful but many people have reservations about how it works. Just a thought - looking forward to anything!

[@cbasacik]

API’s ?

[@jakepe88]

How to use multiroom streaming “zones”

[@GameKingFaiz]

Wow, as a Software Engineer, I think it's really intuitive how Apple simplified what essentially is basic programming!

[@yukaritakeba8880]

Stop the cap

[@hi-its-matt]

@@yukaritakeba8880 nah it’s not bad, it’s pretty much just scratch but actually functional lmao

[@palmyrene]

@@yukaritakeba8880 err what

[@pabloduarte4470]

Real programming is easier

[@sebastianozorro2138]

Totally agree. After switching from Android I was amazed by the possibilities of custom automations.

[@Jsmithphotography]

My wife and I were just talking about how I really enjoy your videos and that there hasn’t been another person as in-depth and productive with the vast amount things you can do with the iPad. I love your vids!

[@ChrisLawley]

Thank you!! 😃👍

[@Moriningland]

I never use shortcuts because I simply can’t get them to work. I’ve tried a few times over the years to figure them out and I just can’t. Even now, I tried the gallery option to open two apps side by side, followed the prompt and the apps just don’t open up together. Tried it twice with different apps and it just doesn’t work. Nice idea but they are just too confusing to create and implement

[@whatbensees]

I was literally thinking about watching a video about this topic this morning and boom, 2 hours later, it appears!! Thanks for the consistent great content!

[@ChrisLawley]

Perfect!

[@samuelmanny6231]

Google got so good in spying 😂😂😂 and recommending

[@soculese]

I’ve been getting into shortcuts finally. My favorite one that I built turns on stage manager, cranks up the display brightness, volume, and starts playing white noise type sounds on my HomePod. There is an inverse automation that resets everything back and locks the iPad when I disconnect the display. Saves a bunch of swipes and taps.\

[@kaitlynk2145]

So thankful this series is starting!!!

[@lilahmae411]

I want to make a shortcut where its like 5:00 AM to 12:00 a certain image i choose puts itself on my lock screen, and at night, like 7:00 PM to 5:00 AM it change.

[@ToasterEatingToasted]

Where is the done button😭

[@ercanyurttaser6872]

FINALLY! Always loved your shortcuts this was literally one of the main reasons why I subbed 😄

[@ChrisLawley]

Glad you like them!

[@stephonchatmanm4773]

@@SpanischlehrerinYasemin scammer

[@scottsimons2681]

Hi Chris, can you make a shortcut to open the app Zoom and log into a reoccurring meeting or something similar? I think this will be helpful. Thanks bud.

[@adwinalias]

Thank you so much for this! Can’t believe I just automated how I use Evernote. Can’t wait to see the rest of the series

[@MunroMcLaren]

I know how to make basic shortcuts, but the more advanced ones are so confusing.

[@georgee3401]

Excellent tutorial. Many thanks!

[@bradsheffield246]

Great job on the basics of shortcuts. Looking forward to more of these

[@shinymetalvids]

I’d like my watch face to change (to what I set in advance) depending on a date range (a different face for each season) and to also be yet another face within each season on the weekends. Additionally to be another face on set dates (birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas). An extra bonus would be if on a standard date (all faces set at sunrise) it auto picked from two depending on if rain was forecast. There has to be a better way than a huge list of "if-otherwise".

[@TheOneGaming0]

I made a shortcut that opens a random app/game so when i dont know what to play i just use the shortcut

[@Overflow066]

Great idea

[@milgat]

I would love to create a shortcut on Todoist - to add specific items on my existing projects

[@TheGiftedRN]

Can you do a updated version of this for external links used in GoodNotes (apple & fantastical calendars for events, ynab, things 3, message, email, music, etc.)

[@ayschan]

One of the most underrated KZbinr. I am sure you will be rising in the KZbinr world just like the Tesla in automotive industry. Just subscribed to witness that.

[@NeuroBoy314]

Great video Chris, with this series all be able to make my own shortcuts instead of stealing yours from your web site. Shortcuts is awesome BUT it only works with very few apps, I'm a Google and Microsoft ecosystem user and shortcuts is almost for Apple apps!

[@peter.organist]

Excellent intro to Shortcuts! Thank you!

[@chaskinsnc]

IOS 18 features of Calendar and Reminders for creating a Meeting Note? Can a note be created with a basic template and assign a Tag?

[@03cobrah]

Now that the action button for the iPhone 15 can utilize shortcuts. I’d love to see more tutorials utilizing this

[@astra1360]

great Video man! Looking forward to the advanced ones!

[@ToddMcKeever]

Truly glad I found your channel and have learned so much from you. I must admit this time with this video on shortcuts I was extremely excited to watch. This time you lost me and this was suppose to be shortcut 101? I will rewatch again. Overall, keep up the great job you are doing.

[@b1nzy]

Are you using an external mouse & keyboard with your iPad? If so, which ones? Thanks

[@stupacmoto]

Yes!!!! This is what ive been waiting for... thanks so much. Looking forward! 👌🏽

[@ChrisLawley]

Hope you like it!

[@stupacmoto]

Christopher Lawley love your videos. I know i will enjoy it. Thanks for your content. Keep at it 😀

[@crocandy1]

Me too. I've always watched the videos and thought that's amazing but probably beyond my ability.

[@kriscastro]

thanks for this! perfect timing because i've been binging your recent ipad videos and was curious about what shortcuts i could use to improve my workflow and how to even make them

[@ChrisLawley]

Great to hear!

[@rustycage55]

bro u da only one who knows how to explain shortcuts in whole youtube

[@blankcheckguy69]

how do I make a shortcut that links my icloud notes with my Obsidian brain?? can u help me out Christopher? big fan. been following awhile.

[@holgernikola6110]

Not sure if I‘m right here but it seems you’re pretty familiar with shortcuts. Is there a way to create a shortcut that enables the VPN connection and opens the mail app by pushing just one soft button? Appreciate your help.

[@deepakkhatri8194]

very informative. thank you for such a nice video

[@ms20700]

Awesome... very good explanation... can u share your iPad wallpaper link?

[@daryn78912]

@Christopher Lawley, where is the link you mentioned is listed in the comments?

[@Stefano-nz9kg]

It is possible to make a shortcut for selecting a specific Bluetooth device?

[@Dr-CAPT-Bret]

Please teach us how to generate a shortcut to create a journal into Notability

[@lucasbouche2255]

Perfect tutorial/presentation/initiation

[@ChrisLawley]

Glad you think so!

[@lucasbouche2255]

Christopher Lawley hey thank you your channel is amazing. I became a productivity master of IPad and I review and train my English with you (I’m french)

[@kevinwagner5023]

well done, thanks for taking the time to make a high quality presentation that hits all the key points

[@rabii3983]

Could you do a tutorial so it can remind me to wear Sunscreen every time the UV index is equal to 2 or above from weather app? I did it by accident correctly (I think) but can’t make it again.

[@stevendurbahn1957]

Hi Christopher, Do you have a shortcut to turn on or turn off "show my caller id"?

[@jeff2tc99]

great job Chris. Suggestion Countdown from a number at a selected interval. Great for counting reps for an exercise so you can watch/read something instead counting.

[@ChrisLawley]

Great suggestion!

[@hexxxis1]

I am trying to figure out how to make a shortcut that downloads twitter videos from the documents app. Please do one if this is beneficial.

[@apkoevoet3488]

Im using your today summary but when i have multiple events on my calendar it gets all mixed up, do you know how to fix that?

[@baldfvi]

How can I create a link that opens an app already installed in my iPhone? I want to use this link in a daily reminder I already configure on the Reminders App. Appreciate any help!

[@ARC928]

Can I create a shortcut to change location settings for a specific app?

[@vvibin31]

Is there a shortcut to lock screen without using lock/unlock button?

[@Mallymutts86]

I like your video. I’m trying to set up some different “scenes” if you will in my house with shortcuts. Example is morning coffee time, I’d like a slideshow of a photo album to play on my Apple TV, while a pre selected music playlist plays on my HomePod. I can’t seem to get this to work, but I have a lot of these scenes that I’d like to set up.

[@StriversMedia]

Can a shortcut command be created that would [turn Bluetooth OFF] IF [AIRPODS are NOT connected]?

[@ruanaich]

Would love the create PDF to work. It always fail. Have found no solution to this. Even fails when re created. Specifically need it to work with Notes.

[@Robynia777]

Can I make an action that will tell me a food order when I pull into a specific restaurant?

[@rodgaray]

Thank you so much for this series of videos Chris!!! I’m really want to use the everyday, I’ll follow this series of videos very thoroughly! Again, thank you so much

[@friscodog]

I need to be able to open a new Numbers document using a specific Template I've created for my daily facilities checklist (looking for burned-out lightbulbs, water leaks, or any other problems).

[@edwardwillard243]

Thanks for the video. I've learned how to setup shortcuts, now, but wonder why there doesn't seem to be a way to create a shortcut where you could have your wallpaper change every hour, or every time you turn on your iPhone i.e.?

[@BeekSizl]

Hi. Thanks for your video. Is there a way in shortcuts to find an Apple 1 music radio station and play the latest episode? Thank you

[@richardlcraven3966]

Christopher - How do I edit a Shortcut? From time to time I have to add and delete URLs from a Shortcut that opens web pages in tabs on my iMac. The EDIT selection within Shortcuts does not work well or easily.

[@michaelwebb4500]

What do I do if a shortcut becomes corrupted and no longer works? I am trying to use the remember this shortcut. I worked then stopped saving inputs

[@Geiir]

YES! This is exactly what I needed. Thanks for your always amazing content 😄

[@271830066]

, do you have a shortcut to call a conference number and have the iPhone automatic switch the speaker phone on without me doing it. I can’t figure this out. Thanks

[@terrywarnold]

I figured out how to add a shortcut for2 apps to open in split screen but, is there a way to make the apps connected to that shortcut perform a specific action? Example, the shortcut I created was for the Notes app and Calendar to open in split view. I would like that every time I run the shortcut, the Notes app opens to a specific note cause it’s notes that I refer back to pretty often. Thanks!!! Great video btw!!!

[@davidtopp1972]

Chris, I am wondering if you could suggest how I can create a simple shortcut to Open an Excel file on my iPad. I am running iPadOS 17.5.1. I know I could do this in earlier versions just by doing: Open File in default app, but now that does not work.

[@davidtopp1972]

Chris, I have done some additional experiments, and have discovered that the issue seems to be “Password Protected” files. Excel files without passwords will open, but files with passwords will not open.

[@zoulhhh]

Nice explanation. Looking forward for more. I always found shortcut tutorials confusing. But this is great. Thank you.

[@akaalx]

Hi. I need a shortcut for my disabled brother. We got him a iphone and I used the OK Google shortcut so he could turn on KZbin Music and Sirius XM, but there is no way to turn them off using his voice. Any ideas? Thanks.

[@farbencut]

So many people under-estimate the power of shortcuts. But this is kind of awesome!

[@oliviermela]

Awesome! Thanks for this video.

[@6FootFungus9]

Is there a way to make the app send a notification which opens a note when I click it? It's 1AM and Im struggling to find this out.

[@MrLbeazley]

I have about 4 different Bluetooth output devices i connect my phone to, would love to create a shortcut that just gives me 4 choices of speaker/output device, rather than diving into settings all the time - is that even possible?

[@Proteenshake]

How do u make it to where it clicks a specific area on the screen

[@levisaranas]

Hi! Is there a way to create a shortcut that will ask for input (time) and then it will create an Automation that will run a particular app/shortcut at the time given as input. Thanks!

[@PHamm54]

I managed to create a “message to be sent at later time. It keeps going off & I don’t know how to stop it. Can u help?

[@jackkemp7256]

My favorite shortcut is through the little shop in Mushroom Mall

[@headfer]

Hi. I have just installed an app that control a lightsabers soundboard by Bluetooth. Is there a form to create a Siri shortcut to control the app with voice commands?

[@kimbrown1225]

I need to make a very very simple shortcut, probably so simple that I shouldn’t even need the shortcut app to do it. Just can’t seem to find a way. Under the settings app in iPhone 12, there is a submenu that I use daily: Settings>Accessibility>Hearing Devices. This shows the current connectivity status of my hearing aids to my phone. My goal is to simply have a shortcut icon that takes me straight to that screen. Idk how to code, and the shortcuts app seems so complex to me. Can you help?

[@uLtRaSeXxX666]

Is there a shortcut you can make to toggle on/off show/hide caller id instead of going into setting and jumping through menus to get to it

[@sivakumarkathiravan]

Thanks a lot! Looking forward to your future videos.

[@lipem14]

how can I use some actions in Procreate app? Because I dont think its every app that allows the Shortcuts app to do actions on it :(

[@brandonr3950]

how do I move the automations to a folder?

[@sycrayt124]

Can you make a shortcut where whenever you turn on blue tooth it goes back off? Pls show me how.

[@MichaelSchwark-yn3jb]

Whenever I have the shortcuts on my iPhone 8+ programmed they are properly executed but return an error message as a notification. I would love to know why that is. I know that some cannot trigger without manual confirmation but still all of them (even time related) result in an error notification. Is there a workaround? I have iOS 15 Beta 6 installed! Thx fort the great tutorial! Saludos!

[@ChrisHolly]

Perfect tutorial, thank you so much!!!

[@ChrisLawley]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@eloisedoolightful3233]

So I do a lot of studying. So I didnt know if I can use a shortcut to open the same app in the side by side screens (Goodnotes document containing textbook on left, and Goodnotes document containing notes folder on right) and then also have another app pull from the side screen that I can pull in and out when need to. Can I set it up to have two of the same app on the split and pull another from the side?

[@rayflanagan9970]

Great tutorial. Love the menu option. Quick question: When using the clipboard option, the note takes on the name "new note." I don't see a way in NOTES to rename that note to something more relevant. Am I missing something?

[@rayflanagan9970]

Disregard..... found it.

[@siddharthjain543]

How can I use Shortcut app to open a speaker app and switch on speaker and it instantly gets connected to the speaker (BOOM 3)

[@maxortner1997]

Would it be possible to create a shortcut which can control Spotify from an other app (from safari without to open the control center? Maybe with a keyboard shortcut) ? E.g. to skip a song or go to the previous one? Thanks!

[@AdityaRajKapoorLordFuseBox]

How can I do an arrive shortcut on ios15 iPhone 12 without asking to run even when enabled. Please help.

[@openmfc]

Very useful - thank you.

[@KVergot]

Id love to have a shortcut for how to see metadata on your photos

[@djoscarmix]

i want from a spreadsheet with address add a shortcut that open that address in maps, is this possible?

[@ianandsusanbroadway2508]

Short cut for hole 19 to start on my home course?

[@nternalPractice]

I want to create a shortcut that runs the AirPods "ear tip fit test". I have no idea how to get this to work.

[@danielworrell3438]

I would like to lock the settings app

[@mrksbrntnr5460]

Hey Christopher! As an English teacher in Germany, I have to create documents in Pages in English as well as in German. Can I create a shortcut to quickly switch between these language settings in Pages?

[@ChiMobileX]

Is there a way to make a shortcut to enable screen recording without having to swipe up in control center

[@AlanSpackman]

Chris thanks for your time explaining shortcuts. But wouldn’t it be faster just opening the app notes and listing what you would like to do. Why the run around entering data?

[@SirMopy]

Thanks man! Very easy to follow along and nicely explained!

[@ssn694]

Nice job. You really take your time in all of your videos to patiently explain what you are doing. Question: at 11:22 you mention that hitting the return key is like clicking done instead of adding a new line. Seems like since ios14 my magic keypad return key doesn't have that action anymore, it just adds a new line and the only way I can select done on a shortcut is with the mouse or touch. Can't seem to find an answer anywhere. Any ideas?

[@ChrisLawley]

Oh maybe they fixed it. It’s been like that for years, and I guess I haven’t checked since being on iOS 14.

[@bzaymhrzn]

How to create an automation of cellular data on /off when wifi connected on our device?

[@shantanusharma2957]

Is there a way to create a shortcut that acts as a CRM so to speak? I mean if we can create a shortcut to create a contact that is automatically added to a group (clients, customers, cold contacts) and based on that group it creates a followup reminder to call/message/email him after 24 hours. And if all that can be tracked on notes or something like first contact date etc.

[@gadgetmanmac]

Hi how do you do quick message short cut plz I looking to send text messages at a curtain time or day like schedule messages is it possible with short cuts

[@veda_prashanth]

Hi, I would like to know how to keep my Iphone in silent/vibrate mode when i am at work( or a time-frame). Once i leave work, It should turn normal again automatically based on my location. I tried focus methods but DND doesn't fulfill what i need. DND isolates certain people and eliminates the others. I want all calls and notifications to be on silent/vibrate mode only. The physical switch above the volume buttons does the job but I don't want to end up forgetting to turn it back on every single day. I tried creating a shortcut but i couldn't keep the "ringer volume" down. There was only a "volume" down. This cuts me from listening to songs but rings and notifications are aloud. Lemme know if there is a way. Thanks. :)