If you have an iPhone or an iPad and you haven't yet experimented with the Shortcuts appYou're missing out on a world of Automations in iOS These features can save you time, screen taps, and even distractions with routine tasks. From turning on Do Not Disturb mode at a certain time to transforming your iPad into a pseudo-Kindle or tracking your workday, everything can be left almost on autopilot.
The best part is that many of these things can be achieved without being an expert; you just need to understand how they work. triggers and actions within the Shortcuts app, and combine it with other system features like Voice Control. Next, we'll see, step by step and with very specific examples, how to create automations with Shortcuts in iOS, what you can do, and what limitations it has, especially when you want the iPhone to "click" on the screen for you.
What is automation in Shortcuts and what does it allow you to do?
Within Apple's Shortcuts app, there is a specific section called AutomationThese shouldn't be confused with regular shortcuts that run when you tap them or use Siri. Automations are triggered automatically when a condition is met, such as a specific time, arriving at a certain location, or receiving a message.
These automations can be of two main types: personal ones, which only affect your iPhone or iPad Your user account and home automations are already set up, which are geared towards smart home automation with HomeKit. In this article, we'll focus on personal automations, which help you accomplish more on a daily basis with your iOS device.
The idea is very simple: you choose a trigger (for example, "Time of day" or "Upon arrival at a place") and then define one or more actions that you want the system to run automatically, such as opening an app, activating a focus mode, changing the screen brightness, or playing a music playlist.
All of this is done from within the Shortcuts app itself, without needing to install anything unusual or jailbreak, and with a very visual interface where you go dragging and arranging actions To build what you need. What makes the difference is understanding what the triggers are and how to combine them with the right actions.
How to get started: creating your first personal automation
First, open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad and go to the tab Automationwhich you'll see at the bottom of the screen. If you've never created an automation before, the app itself makes it easy with a main button.
If this is your first time logging in, you'll see a central option that says something like "Create personal automation." However, if you already have automations created, you'll need to click on the Automation tab and then tap the add icon in the upper right corner to start a new one.
Clicking “Create personal automation” opens a screen displaying all possible triggers, organized by type: time, location, communication, trip, etc. This step is crucial because it defines when your automation will run and how the system will behave.
Once you choose the trigger you're interested in, the app will ask you to adjust certain parameters, such as the exact time, the days of the week, or the specific location where it will be triggered. After configuring these options... activationYou just have to tap "Next" to move on to the fun part: defining the actions.
Types of triggers available in iOS automations
Triggers are the starting point of any automation; they are the events that cause the shortcut to run without you having to do anything. In iOS, there are several categories of triggers, such as... of eventTravel and communication tools, along with other system-specific ones. We'll review them in general terms, because most useful ideas come from here.
Event triggers include things like the time of the dayThese reminders can be set to trigger at dawn or dusk, or when a specific condition is detected on the device (for example, when it's plugged into a power outlet or a wireless charger). They are very useful for routine tasks, such as activating a specific mode at a fixed time.
Travel triggers are based on location and movement. You can have an automation launch when you arrive at a location, when you leave a location, or when you start a car trip, for example. This is ideal for things like adjusting your focus mode. upon arriving at work or homeor start a playlist when you connect your iPhone to the car.
Communication triggers are related to calls, messages, or emails. For example, you can trigger a shortcut when you receive a message from a specific person, although the actual options depend on the iOS version and how Apple expands the possibilities with each update.
Finally, there are device-based triggers, such as switching to focus mode, connecting to a specific Wi-Fi network, or opening a particular app. These allow you to configure certain apps to always open automatically. brightness or volume whatever you want, among many other uses.
Choosing and configuring a trigger: practical examples
When you choose a trigger from the list, the app takes you to a screen where you need to fine-tune the details. For example, if you choose "Time of day," you can define whether you want the automation to repeat daily, only on certain days of the week, or only once at a specific time.
For location, if you choose "When I arrive at", a map will open so you can enter the specific address, and you can adjust the activation radius (that is, how much distance around that point is considered "arriving"). This way you can make the automation trigger only when you are actually at work or at home.
Once you've selected the activation options, the "Next" button will take you to the automation editor view, where you'll see a summary of the chosen trigger at the top and, below, the space to add actions. Apple will also show you suggestions for pre-made automations or the option to use an existing shortcut as a base.
In almost all cases, you have the option to decide whether the automation requires manual confirmation before running or if you want it to run automatically. fully automaticallyDepending on the iOS version and the type of trigger, this option may change, because Apple limits some automations to prevent abuse or unexpected behavior.
Add actions to your automation step by step
With the trigger configured, it's time to define what you want to happen when the condition is met. To do this, click on "Add action," which opens an actions browser divided into two main sections: Categories and Apps.
In the Categories section you will find actions grouped by task type: scripts, multimedia content, documents, system settingsetc. This helps when you're not entirely sure what specific action you're looking for, but you do know what area you want to modify, such as volume, brightness, connectivity, or notifications.
In the Apps section, you'll see a list of applications that offer actions compatible with Shortcuts. When you open each one, you'll see the possible actions that app exposes to the system, such as opening a specific screen, playing something, or creating a new item. This way, you can make an automation interact not only with the system but also with... third party apps.
You can also use the actions search bar by tapping it at the top of the actions browser and entering a term. If you type words like “open app,” “adjust brightness,” or “play music,” Shortcuts will show you relevant actions. This is much faster when you already know the type of action you need.
To add an action to the automation, simply tap and hold it in the list and drag it to the automation editor space in the exact position where you want it, or tap it once to add it to the end of the actions list. You can add as many actions as you need and rearrange them by dragging the blocks so that they run in the correct order.
Test, adjust, and save your automation on iOS
Once you've added the actions you're interested in, it's time to check if everything is working as expected. At the bottom or top of the screen (depending on your iOS version), you'll find the button to test automation, which executes the actions immediately, temporarily ignoring the trigger.
Testing before saving is highly recommended, especially if you've added several chained actions or are experimenting with system settings, to ensure the order is correct and any steps are missing. If something isn't right, you can always return to the actions list and modify parameters or remove unnecessary steps.
In some cases, you'll also have a control to turn automation on or off, so you can leave it configured but turned off until you need it, or stop it if you don't want it running in the background. It's a convenient way to pause automations without having to delete them.
When you're happy with the result, tap "Next" to see a final summary of the automation, including the trigger and the list of actions. If everything looks good, tap OK, and the automation will be saved and added to the main Automation screen, where you can edit or delete it at any time.
Real-world example: recording work entry and exit using Shortcuts
One of the most interesting uses that many users are looking for is the ability to register their work entry and exit automatically, preventing oversights when "clocking in." This combines what Shortcuts can do with what the timekeeping apps themselves allow, and we have to be realistic about the limitations.
A common scenario is that of people who have managed to set the time clock app to open automatically at a specific time, or upon arrival at their workplace. This is already an improvement, because it saves you from having to remember to open the app every day at that crucial time.
However, what many are considering is going a step further and getting the system to not only open the app but also automatically tap the clock-in button corresponding to the screen, without the user touching anything. And this is where the security and privacy limitations that Apple imposes on iOS come into play.
The reality is that Shortcuts doesn't natively allow you to simulate direct taps on screen coordinates or interact with other apps' interface elements with such precision. Therefore, even if you can open the app at the correct time, you can't complete the clocking-in process with a simple, standard "automatic click" from within Shortcuts.
Why there is no native “autoclick” in iOS with Shortcuts
The main reason iOS doesn't offer a direct autoclick is security. If any app or shortcut could simulate screen taps In a free-flowing manner, it would be easy for malicious software to press buttons such as accept, make in-app purchases, grant access permissions, etc., without the user noticing.
For this reason, Apple severely limits what automations can do to the interface of other applications. Shortcuts can open apps, send data to specific extensions, or use specific URL schemes, but they cannot select an area of the screen and touch it like a phantom finger.
What some users are looking for is precisely an "autoclicker" that repeats taps on a specific point for a certain amount of time, or that automatically taps the same area every time. On open or jailbroken platforms this is more feasible, but on a closed system like iOS Apple blocks these possibilities at the system level.
Therefore, although creative ideas may arise with Shortcuts, any method that involves simulating a physical touch without user intervention usually requires questionable tricks, applications of dubious origin, or even jailbreaking, which is not advisable due to the risks involved.
Combine Shortcuts with Voice Control to simulate taps
However, there is an advanced method that some users have explored to achieve something similar to autoclicking on iOS without jailbreaking: combining the Shortcuts app with the accessibility feature called Voice Control. It's not an official Apple solution designed to automate clocking in and out, but it does allow you to do some very interesting things.
Voice Control is an accessibility tool that allows you to control your iPhone or iPad using voice commands, including taps, gestures, and actions. Among its advanced features is the ability to create custom commands that reproduce gestures recorded in a specific area of the screen.
Some users have documented in videos, such as a well-known one on YouTube, how to set up a Voice Control command that performs a repetitive tap on a point on the screen, and then use Shortcuts to activate that command or prepare the environment so that the gesture is executed where desired.
The idea is a bit convoluted, but effective in certain cases: Shortcuts opens the app or takes you to a specific screen, and Voice Control executes a pre-recorded gesture that acts as automatic clickAll this without installing external apps or resorting to system modifiers.
It should be noted, however, that this type of configuration requires patience to properly record the gestures, adjust the voice commands, and ensure that the app's interface does not change design, because even a small change in the button's position can cause the gesture to no longer coincide with the correct location.
Example of using Voice Control with automations
Imagine you want your iPhone to open a time tracking app at a specific time and also press a button. With Shortcuts, you can create an automation that opens the app at that time. So far, so good. The next step would be to configure Voice Control so that when you give a spoken command, a tap on the clock-in button is played.
To do this, you would need to go into iOS accessibility settings, enable Voice Control, and create a new custom command. When configuring it, you would record a gesture that involves tapping the exact area of the clock-in button on the screen, so that the system can repeat that gesture when you command it.
Once the command is created, every time you're in the timekeeping app, you can say the associated phrase (for example, a made-up word) and Voice Control will perform the pre-recorded tap in the location where the button was during the recording. This way you achieve a kind of voice-controlled autoclick.
Some users take it a step further and combine this with Shortcuts to automatically open the app at the chosen time, so all they have to do is speak the voice command to execute the gesture. It's not a 100% automatic process, because there's still some user intervention, but it greatly reduces daily friction.
This method, while ingenious, is not without its drawbacks: if the app updates and moves the button, the gesture has to be recorded again; if the screen resolution changes or the device switches to landscape mode, the touch may not fall in the correct place; and if you have several similar screens in the app, it's easy for the gesture to end up pressing something it shouldn't.
Other useful automation ideas for iPhone and iPad
Beyond the specific case of clocking in at work, the combination of Shortcuts and automations It opens the door to many small improvements in your daily life. For example, some users have created a shortcut that turns your iPad into a kind of Kindle, adjusting color filters, brightness and dark mode to facilitate reading.
A typical automation for this would involve detecting when you open your favorite reading app and automatically reducing the brightness, activating a warm color filter, and putting the device in Do Not Disturb mode. This way, every time you sit down to read, the iPad adapts on its own, without you having to manually adjust various settings.
Another common possibility is to use the time of day to turn functions on or off, such as activating the work concentration mode Set it to a specific time and turn it off when you leave, or adjust the volume of the alerts at night so you don't receive noisy notifications while you sleep.
You can also use location-based automations so that when you arrive home, Wi-Fi is activated, your favorite relaxation playlist is played, and mobile data is turned off, while the reverse happens when you leave home. All of this can be combined into a single automation with several ordered actions.
If you travel by public transport or car, you can take advantage of motion-related automations or CarPlay connectivity to start a podcast playlist, activate Do Not Disturb mode while driving, and reduce visual notifications so you can focus on the road.
Tips for creating secure and stable automations
When you start creating a lot of automations, it's easy to get carried away and want the iPhone to do everything on its own, but it's important to maintain a balance. It's crucial that any automation that changes... sensitive settings of the system (such as connections, concentration modes or volume) is well thought out.
A good trick is to initially leave the option to request confirmation enabled before running the automation, especially for tasks that might throw you off if they trigger at an inconvenient time. This way, you can test for a few days whether it's triggering as expected, and then you can disable the confirmation if you're happy with it.
It's also a good idea to give your automations clear and descriptive names, so that when you look at the list in the corresponding tab, you can see at a glance what each one does and when it's triggered. Over time, you'll accumulate several, and it's very useful to have them readily available. well organized.
If an automation starts behaving strangely or stops working as it used to, try temporarily disabling it, check that the triggers are still valid (for example, that the arrival address hasn't changed), and verify that the actions are still compatible with your iOS version and the apps involved.
Finally, be wary of methods that attempt to mimic autoclicking without fully respecting iOS guidelines. While some tricks may work, it's best to avoid unfamiliar third-party apps or instructions that require... modify the system beyond what Apple allows, as they can put your data or device stability at risk.
Mastering automations with Shortcuts on iOS takes some practice, but once you understand how triggers and actions are combined, and you know advanced tools like Voice Control, you can get your iPhone or iPad to adapt to your routine almost without you noticing, from opening apps at key times to preparing your device to work, read or rest with just a couple of taps or a simple voice command.
