How to Make Apple Shortcuts Run Automatically

You can make some of your home automation shortcuts on iOS run automatically without having to tap run every time. Find out which triggers can be run automatically, and which cannot.
Apple Automation info: apple.co/3wfCZwV

[@jgreaserrr]

Easy to follow. Thanks!

[@KylersStudio]

Glad it helped!

[@nickr7950]

That last bit DID help thank yoi

[@KylersStudio]

Great! Glad it helped!

[@pafrazier56]

Thanks for the video, paused it a few times as I was creating a shortcut. I had created shortcuts to turn airplane mode on/off when I left/arrived at my home but they wouldn't run automatically - instead I was presented with an alert from which I could run them. I was missing that you have to create the shortcut made up of actions first, then automate it by selecting it to run under the circumstances you create. . . or something like that! I was going directly to creating the automation which made sense at the time. I hope I'm not the only one who thinks this could/should be more intuitive.

[@KylersStudio]

It should be more intuitive. The alert is a privacy security thing I think. I've noticed that the GPS based alerts are not very accurate; I think if it loses gps location for a small time, then rediscovers, it triggers the geo trigger, which gets really annoying after a while. Hopefully the next updates will fix some of the issues.

[@reddishcarrot62]

Super helpful, thanks a lot:)

[@KylersStudio]

Glad it was helpful!

[@muelfernandez]

This is the answer my long time question on why my automation won’t run automatically. Thanks a lot man!

[@KylersStudio]

Glad it helped!

[@JoelWitthoeft]

Loved your trailer and found your video when searching for info on shortcuts/automation. Deifnitely subbed, as we share many interests. My Question is not necessarily for smarthome but maybe you can help. The fact that you used automation to run shortcuts makes me think you may be able to help me understand my situation. I use my phone for contacting customers reminding them to place an order, either by text message or email. Currently I am doing this all from memory and it is extremely time consuming and I miss things when I get busy. I have been doing a lot of research on shortcuts and still can't seem to grasp it. The reason why the standard "automation" portion won't work it because I need the messages to go out every other week, or every 4 weeks in some cases, as our delivery schedule is on a 4 week rotation. I do have a calendar built, so I could trigger it off of a calendar, but introduces even more questions when I go to make a shortcut. I would be willing to pay someone to do this, but I also want to understand what I am missing.

[@KylersStudio]

There are a lot of different ways you can do it. You might consider paying for a full lead gen and follow up messaging system so you can keep track of who is responding and connect them to a job. Short of that, you'd have to outline all the things you need. Is it the same email, or a different email? If all the contacts are in a group, you might could just schedule it through your email client instead by just messaging a group. Essentially, you'd have to justify why you're using shortcuts instead of other methods, and then ven the capabilities with the price to determine if it can work. Feel free to email me if you think I can help more.

[@mohamedmamdouh8277]

Did you find any solutions?

[@peterhogenkamp8331]

Hi Kyler, thanks for the video. The two lists right before the end - "Can run automatically" vs. "Cannot" are particularly helpful. This fact isn't well documented on the Apple support pages. However, there's one feature that I was trying to get going by an automation, and it just seems like I can't, however, it's not on either list: Take photo. (I am trying to take a photo of an energy meter every morning automatically with an older iPhone 8 - still able to run the latest OS version.) I can't get that to work without the prompt. Would you happen to know anything about it? I googled it several times already, no success on this rather specific question. Thanks and keep it up.

[@KylersStudio]

Unfortunately, it looks like the taking a photo capability should be added to the "can't" be run automatically. I imagine Apple is foremost concerned about the privacy issue with this. "Here let me borrow your phone for a second", and suddenly you get a daily picture without them realizing it. I mean you could get really creative and automate a switchbot to press the notification on the phone every day, but it might be easier just to get a device that digitizes and tracks your electric information for you. Hope that helps.

[@Ashtons_Corner]

Nice vid

[@KylersStudio]

Thank you! Hope it was helpful.

[@chaolan77]

When shortcuts first came out they would mostly run automatically without a problem. I got on to them early and found a site thinking it was better than jbing because I could still have full access to banking apps etc. Just got back to an iOS device after quite a while so I’m catching up. Certainly seems very restricted now.

[@KylersStudio]

Yes, I think Apple is being careful as no not sabotage their high privacy/security operating systems. Hopefully we'll see more both here and in Homekit programming capabilities.

[@1986BBG]

Tried to automate a shortcut that will speak text when I connect to my WiFi but it only brings up a notification which requires me to actually push the run button to hear the speech, Same with all location based shortcuts like when leaving or arriving somewhere l, it brings up a notification that requires the user to run the shortcut. So for some reason location based automated shortcuts are not really able to run automatically by themselves. Is there a cheat or workaround for this. The nes that don’t fully automate are, Arrive, Before I Leave, Bluetooth, Leave, Time Of Day and WiFi. Really don’t know why apple won’t let these run fully automated. Any help would be great. Thx

[@KylersStudio]

Apple has categorized which actions require security interventions and which do not. Some things you can change, some not.

[@1986BBG]

@@KylersStudio yeah I get that but I’m not sure a verbal hello you are connected to such and such WiFi is a security problem.

[@KylersStudio]

@@1986BBG Oh, if you're expecting a shortcut to run in the background like a script based on an external trigger, I don't think that capability is built into shortcuts yet. You could press a button that checks your network and speak differently based on what network it is on, but I don't know how to script it to run constantly to monitor when it connects to wifi. There may be something in the script editor or terminal that will trigger that, but I don't know. You might be able to have the shortcut connect to the network, and then have it say hello though.

[@1986BBG]

@@KylersStudio I just find it strange that I can set it to trigger and speak text when my iPhone is at a certain battery level. The trigger is there it just wants to be a pain in the butt and make me press run and not be a lazy bones person I guess. If your going to add the trigger in the automations area then it should work for all triggers, but for some reason apple thinks this is some security issue I suppose.

[@HeroSphereTCG]

@@1986BBG I’m having the same problem. I want mine to automatically prompt me to answer a question when I open a specific app but it just send a notification that I have to tap first which is much more avoidable…

[@renzo52764]

Hi, thanks for the good content man! Is it possible to automatize a shortcut in a mac too?

[@KylersStudio]

You can do a bunch of automation on the mac through Shortcuts, including Homekit devices. However, I'm noticing that there are a lot of bugs still on the mac app where the iOS phone app functions better. For example, when I leave the studio, I press one button on my streamdeck that turns off my studio equipment, lights, makes the computer sleep, and turns on the lights outside the studio for several seconds so I'm not left in the dark.

[@renzo52764]

@@KylersStudio yes, I think that Apple doesn’t like to have the freedom to automate like we have in the iPhone. I’m trying to find a way to reduce the bright of the mac’s screen each time I connect it to an external monitor.

[@KylersStudio]

@@renzo52764 Agreed; they don't always play well with other hardware either. There was an app that used to work to dim external monitors with the software, but no longer works with the update. I'm not sure if that's just an oversight, or if it's purposeful to sell more of their own monitors.

[@BicycleFunk]

I saw a thread just now that mentioned if "Do Not Disturb" is on, automations that wouldn't normally run automatically now will. I just tested this myself and it seems to have worked. Give that a try.

[@KylersStudio]

Oh interesting find! I'll have to try it.

[@BicycleFunk]

@@KylersStudio it does not seem to work how I was hoping. If you are using the phone, it works automatically which is why I thought this was a total success;. Instead it shows up as a notification that when you select, runs automatically, as opposed to opening up, for example a pre-populated text for you to send. The shortcomings of Apple Shortcuts drives me mad. I've spent too many hours trying to find a workaround so that my phone will automatically text my wife when I get to work.

[@KylersStudio]

​@@BicycleFunkApple has a check in feature that might do what you're wanting. Otherwise I've heard a rumor that your shortcut might run automatically with Do Not Disturb mode on, though I haven't confirmed.

[@BicycleFunk]

@@KylersStudio unfortunately "check in" is used as a one-time solution. I'll just go with the semi-functioning shortcut until Apple lets me do otherwise. Thanks!

[@GregoryGomez-jz5zy]

Hi Kyler, Thanks for the video. I am trying setup an automation for a de-icing mat that I have outside on a landing. What I would like to do is when it snows at my address, to have the mat turn on. I do not think that Shortcuts is capable of that, so am I stuck with IFTTT?

[@KylersStudio]

I think it's possible if your mat is setup with homekit and accessible. 1. Create your shortcut. Search for Get Details of Weather Condition parameters. For instance you could set up a daily automation to run this shortcut every 4 hours. If Precipitation Amount from Weather Conditions is greater than 0 inches, then if the temperature is below 0 degrees, then turn on the mat, and turn off after 4 hours. Otherwise nothing. 2. Create a Automation to run this shortcut every 4 hours in the SHORTCUTS APP. It's confusing because Apple designed the HomeKit and Shortcuts app to appear very similar, but you can create time of day Automations in the Shortcuts app. If you have the device turn off after 4 hours, you could run this automation to check the weather conditions every 4 hours to determine if the device should remain on. Hope that helps!!

[@GregoryGomez-jz5zy]

@@KylersStudio Thanks very much, Ill play with the apt and see if I can figure it out

[@TheShabooka]

thank you so much but can you do this on mac ? i think i saw something on reddit somewhere called Run Shortcut later and does it sync with the rest of ur icloud devices?

[@KylersStudio]

You can run shortcuts on the mac through the shortcuts app. I think the same or similar logic applies to what can be run automatically and not. Also dependent on your mac being on and probably awake.

[@joaquinrodriguez2786]

THANKSSS

[@KylersStudio]

Welcome! Hope it helped!

[@EnzoV1993]

FYI some automations still need you to confirm. For security reasons they can't be fully automated.

[@KylersStudio]

True. I think Apple is being very methodical and arguably slow with implementation because they value privacy over features.

[@HeroSphereTCG]

Which features do this?

[@Fritted]

@@HeroSphereTCG the ’when recieving a message’ automation is one i know

[@casinonight3443]

For example, I would like to be able inside of a shortcut to give me the battery percentage of my Apple Watch then I could use that shortcut in a personal automation when I wake up. can that be done?

[@KylersStudio]

It doesn't seem like Apple has fully integrated all the things we thing should be possible, including all devices in iCloud. Security and privacy above convenience.

[@casinonight3443]

@@KylersStudio do you know if there a way to find out what the battery percentage is on your Apple Watch through a shortcut? For example, I created a wake up alarm goes off personal automation that verbally tells me the local weather and my battery percentage on my iPhone but I’d love to add the battery percentage on my watch when I wake up as well .

[@Noid1220]

My location based automation for wifi toggle to on or off does not seem to work

[@KylersStudio]

Sorry to hear that. Sometimes the location based automations can be finicky.

[@Kontor23]

If I select "create home automation" instead of "personal automation" because I want for example a door sensor as a trigger, than it didn't show the shortcuts app so I can't select run shortcut as an option. Is there a solution for that.

[@KylersStudio]

When creating the automation, do you see "Convert To Shortcut" at the bottom? Pressing the shortcut will be the trigger; otherwise if it's triggered by something else, it's not a shortcut, it's an automation. Apple separated them out so you can run things between everyone, or just on your phone. Not the best design in my opinion, but we work with what we have.

[@henriquedelben]

When i click on run shortcuts, it asks me to allow access to run shortcuts, and I can’t

[@KylersStudio]

Try this: Remove a shortcut’s access to data If you previously chose Always Allow when a shortcut requested access to necessary data, you can override that decision. In the Shortcuts app on your Mac, double-click a shortcut. The shortcut editor opens. Click to open Details. Click Privacy. Note: If you don’t see the Privacy tab, the shortcut does not have access to your data. Deselect an option-for example, Location or Safari. To remove access to all data for this shortcut, click Reset Privacy.

[@SertEngineering]

There is a get around with iOS 16 that runs shortcut automatically in the background (even sending message or the items you highlighted as can’t run section)

[@KylersStudio]

Interesting. Do you have a video or reference? Still debating on switching to Home Assistant.

[@HeroSphereTCG]

Would love to learn how to do this!!!

[@MomentswithSay]

@@KylersStudio I don’t have automation button on my shortcut

[@KylersStudio]

@@MomentswithSay The automation tab is currently only in the Shortcuts iOS app.

[@matouseksimracer]

@@KylersStudio There is a trick especially with "When you come home/leave home". You can simply create a FOCUS called "HOME". Focus will use geolocation without you having to manually confirm it. Just do not select any restrctions for Focus mode unless you want to. (Such as apps, notifications etc.) In automations you can choose that Focus you just created as a rule "When Focus Home activated" or "When Focus Home deactivated" and you do not have to manually confirm such automations. You can use this for any locations, you will only have to create Focus for each locations...

[@BANKIHANMA]

i can seem to run it when the atomatic notificaton comes up after updating to ios15.5

[@KylersStudio]

Oh phooey! Hopefully they fix it in the next update. Double check your settings are right in the meantime.

[@OpenMachines_]

Can you get one to run on bootup

[@KylersStudio]

Great question! I haven't done that one yet. But you could probably find a work around.

[@casinonight3443]

Can Siri be opened inside shortcut to do task?

[@KylersStudio]

It doesn't seem like that has been added yet natively.

[@jonny621]

hello, can you please set this somehow? I have an automation that turns off my apple watch always on after going to the address. but after arriving at the place, only the notification of the shortcut pops up, and after clicking on it, I have to press to start the shortcut 🤷 ♂️ ... I saw that you set the notification to be turned off, but then it plays itself???

[@KylersStudio]

Make sure you've updated software on everything, then double check the type of automation you're doing and in what app. There may be a difference. Let me know what you find.

[@Kairu-em6uh]

How do I get it to run once a year I have problems with birthdays so I want it to sent the bday texts forbme

[@KylersStudio]

Good question. If it's possible, it would take some research to figure out.

[@ytpremott2221]

When I receive otp on mobile messages and want to forward to whatsgroup how to do it automatically

[@KylersStudio]

You'll have to search for receiving a message as the trigger and copy that message text into the next app to send it. Not all triggers and apps are supported yet, but that is where you'll start.

[@kulikopiadiksi8042]

i dont have the option “ask before running” the toogle is missing

[@OOBLAB]

There are some options which can’t be run automatically. That’s the reason it isn’t showing up. 01:30

[@KylersStudio]

Correct. For presumably security reasons or things that you wouldn't want just running automatically, it's not on every option.

[@TheMarkeyen]

Just saw a video where someone automated a text message? Can messages be automated now?

[@KylersStudio]

Yes they can! For instance, I have a shortcut icon on my iPhone that I click and it gets driving directions to my house and texts my ETA to my wife. Or you can automatically respond to a text that contains a particular phrase.

[@TheMarkeyen]

@@KylersStudio but can you make it run automatically without having to push the notification to run it?

[@KylersStudio]

Well every action needs some kind of trigger, so you just have to figure out what and when that is. It wouldn't make sense to just run arbitrarily, and no, the platform isn't quite to the point of assuming when you'll want it, though it's getting closer.

[@tejas2789]

I tried a lot but no luck, it asks me to 'tap to respond' and then the message comes pre populated in case of whatsapp and then again I need to hit 'send'. This ain't no automation if I manually need to interact with the phone twice. Apple needs to improve this.

[@sreeragsirosh]

@@tejas2789 Exactly my point, I was trying to figure out a way where I can select if a particular person texts me “where are you” I can run automation to fetch my location details and share it with that person without actually having to interact with my phone. as of now you still have to tap on “run this automation” every time to achieve this, which kind of defeats the purpose. Thinking of scenario like where you are driving and your wife/family texts you to know where you are and it is automatically taken care of - would be something cool

[@IamSoylent]

Apple's website claims that the wifi automation is supposed to be able to run without confirming, but I can't get it to do so. iOS 14.

[@KylersStudio]

You may look for some forums that have more details, as updates could change the answer.

[@jonashubacek1341]

I would like to trigger to play “now playing” when headphones are connected. What is the reason why BT cant run automatically please?

[@KylersStudio]

What is your trigger? I was thinking the "now playing" functionality was native, but may depend how you connect.

[@jonashubacek1341]

The whole idea of apple security is big shit. I’m jailbroken so i added tweak Truecuts to run it automatically. Screw with Apple however their phones are the best😆with jailbreak even better.

[@KylersStudio]

@@jonashubacek1341You can do a lot more if you don't care about your privacy or security of your devices.

[@jonashubacek1341]

@@KylersStudio yep, but i just wanted proper working apple feathure like shotcuts. Which was btw inspired by Activator from one of jailbreak tweaks developer.

[@KylersStudio]

@@jonashubacek1341 I hear you. Let's all hope for some major updates and wider homekit support this year!

[@HeroSphereTCG]

Can a script run automatically when an app is opened? I’m noticing mine send a prompt only with this trigger

[@HeroSphereTCG]

Or does it depend on what you’re automatically trying to do? For example, I’ve noticed when I try to automatically send a prompt to either select an option or input text, those automations seem to only run if I click a notification.

[@KylersStudio]

You could try opening the app with shortcut instead. I don't see a direct trigger for if an app is opened yet. Or you could use a different program to script it like better touch tool, but still requires a trigger of some sort.

[@HeroSphereTCG]

@@KylersStudio I ended up making a shortcut on my homepage with the same logo as the app I had in mind such that when I click the decoy app logo, it opens the app and runs the shortcut I wanted!

[@KylersStudio]

@@HeroSphereTCG Awesome work around! Way to go!

[@SimpleClearHelpful]

What would your favourite shortcut for a blind person be ?

[@KylersStudio]

I'm curious what you're using it for thus far.

[@vinG91]

Trying to make an automation to disable data when I join my home wifi It ask for approval to run still. Pretty useless So much potential

[@KylersStudio]

I so wish Apple would put more focus on the logic and programming in HomeKit. You're right that there is so much potential for being the dominant platform out there, but a lot is still lacking and might be a while. Hopefully with Matter coming out, they will release a breadth of programming options in a beautiful UI and become the dominant platform.

[@practisingthelawofnature2705]

I iPhone would ask us for the pass code before we can turn it off, if it's stolen people that have it will be unable to turn it off so we can find it using find my iPhone. make shortcut on that. thaks

[@KylersStudio]

Sounds like a clever security hack! Good luck pulling the battery out of an iphone!

[@TommyTheMadDog]

How do I automatically send messages through Snapchat and/or Facebook messenger

[@KylersStudio]

First you need a trigger, but secondly, I don't think those are natively supported yet in Apple shortcuts.

[@TommyTheMadDog]

@@KylersStudio so in other words I can’t do it

[@KylersStudio]

@@TommyTheMadDog Where there is a will, there is always a way! However, without it being native, it won't be easy, and may require some programming.

[@eos30me]

Hi I am trying to create an iPhone short cuts app action, whenever the chosen app is opened between Time A and time B each day, it will automatically go to home screen then lock screen. Anybody know how? Thanks

[@KylersStudio]

There are tutorials out there how to use a shortcut to block specific apps without native security. There is a slight lag, but still seems to accomplish what you're looking for. Let me know if you can find it. Best of luck.

[@santoshs6586]

Hey man, I created a personal automation to show that when my iphone charged upto 85% it has speak a text. It worked fine for three days after it is not working. What to do??

[@KylersStudio]

Oh interesting! Try duplicating it and tweaking it. I wonder if it reset permissions or if something you programmed hit a snag of sorts. Odd that it worked, then stopped working.

[@Rick.Colorado]

It sucks that emails and messages can't run automatically. In my case, as a Deaf person, say, I am sleeping, my boss texts me at 2AM to let me know that a server is down, I won't know until morning. I would set it up as 'If I receive a text from boss, then Turn on Hue lights". I could set up my phone LED light to flash with Accessibility, but then every text I receive will wake me up all night long. Only if Apple could move messages to the "allowed to run automatically" list.

[@KylersStudio]

Are you using the Automations in the shortcuts app? I have one that can send a text or activate a Hue scene after receiving a text from x person containing "x phrase". But it might give a notification before running. You could also look into IFTTT to see if that has the functionality you want. Or maybe it's time to try Home Assistant. That's complex, but seems very capable.

[@Rick.Colorado]

@@KylersStudio Yes I am using the Automations in the shortcuts app. I get the same thing, I get a notification and then I have to press "run" to get it to run. Hmm, I don't think IFTTT has any options for iPhone SMS or messages to trigger something, they do for Android though. I'll check Home Assistant, I don't recall seeing anything for iPhones as well, but that was 2 years ago. Thanks.

[@Petrolhead11]

I want an automaton which can turn WiFi and data on and off based on location but it always stuck on notifications to run it manually. Someone any workaround trick for this?

[@KylersStudio]

I find the gps is rather unreliable for a trigger. At least for me, I get rogue notifications that I’ve left a location when instead my phone perhaps just lost signal for a minute. Not ready for prime time automatic automation in my opinion.

[@Petrolhead11]

@@KylersStudio true

[@lazarosmantalos4198]

Having automations asking you to complete a task exactly the opposite of what an automation is.. very stupid by Apple Nice of you to sort them like that though thanks

[@KylersStudio]

I think it's a slow step into it to avoid potential security and privacy concerns. Hopefully in the future, they open it up.

[@lifezearaj8896]

i dont have automation on my shortcuts...

[@KylersStudio]

Really? LIke at the bottom you don't show an automation tab?

[@lifezearaj8896]

@@KylersStudio yeah..

[@Juanfernandoz]

this videi needs to be update to IOS17

[@KylersStudio]

True. I wish youtube helped with dynamically editing video uploads, but unfortunately it doesn't work that way yet.

[@AmrutKatigar]

Hey not working in ios 16

[@KylersStudio]

Sorry about that. Some things change with the update, for better or worse.

[@luiscuba9188]

@@KylersStudioany way of running or turning on an automation when a specific focus is turned on ? even if its with pressing button?

[@KylersStudio]

@@luiscuba9188 There is a "get current focus" so that might get you what you want.

[@peterwan小P]

it is just so stupid that after me setting it as an automation, my input is still needed to activate it.

[@KylersStudio]

What trigger are you using? I'm guessing it's an Apple safety net so they aren't liable for something being buggy; part of their privacy and security mentality.

[@MultiKy23]

Hi I’m Kyler

[@KylersStudio]

Haha Hi Kyler!

[@SimpleClearHelpful]

What would your favourite shortcut for a blind person be?

[@KylersStudio]

Not sure, but automating whatever is most difficult or needed most often would be the top priority.