Quick Answer
The iOS Shortcuts app (built into every iPhone running iOS 13 or later) lets you automate almost anything on your phone. The 10 shortcuts below are the most practical: low battery alerts, auto-replies, morning briefings, screenshot cleanup, and more. All are free to set up and take under 5 minutes. Browse used iPhones on Swappa to get a capable device without the full retail price.
What Is the iOS Shortcuts App?
The Shortcuts app comes pre-installed on every iPhone running iOS 13 or later. It lets you build automations — either triggered manually (via a home screen icon, Siri, or a widget) or automatically (based on time, location, battery level, and more).
You do not need to know how to code. Each shortcut is built by stacking simple actions, like building with blocks. The automations in this list are beginner-friendly and genuinely useful.
Top 10 iOS Shortcuts Worth Setting Up
1. Low Battery Auto-Message
What it does: When your battery drops below 20% (or any threshold you choose), this automation automatically texts a contact letting them know you might go dark soon.
How to set it up:
- Open Shortcuts and tap the Automation tab
- Tap +, then Create Personal Automation
- Choose Battery Level, set it to “Falls Below 20%”
- Add the action Send Message, choose your contact, and write your message
- Turn off “Ask Before Running” so it fires silently
This is especially handy on older iPhones where battery health has degraded. If you’re shopping for a used iPhone, always check the battery health before buying.
Read more about Apple Battery Health
2. Auto-Reply When Driving
What it does: Detects when you’re driving and sends an automatic text reply to incoming messages letting people know you’re on the road.
How to set it up:
- Go to Automation and tap +
- Select Driving as the trigger
- Add Send Message and write something like: “I’m driving right now — I’ll get back to you soon.”
- You can set it to reply to anyone or only your favorites
iOS has a built-in “Driving Focus” that does something similar, but this shortcut gives you more control over the exact message and recipients.
3. Morning Briefing
What it does: One tap gets you the weather, your first calendar event of the day, and any reminders — read aloud by Siri or displayed on screen.
How to set it up:
- Open the Shortcuts tab and tap +
- Add actions in order: Get Current Weather, Get Upcoming Events, Get Reminders
- Add a Speak Text action to have Siri read everything out loud, or Show Notification to display it
- Add the shortcut to your home screen as a one-tap icon
This pairs well with a Time of Day automation if you want it to fire automatically when you wake up.
4. Delete Screenshots Automatically
What it does: Runs periodically (or on demand) to find and delete all screenshots from your camera roll, keeping your Photos app clean.
How to set it up:
- Create a new shortcut
- Add Find Photos, filter by Media Type = Screenshot
- Add Delete Photos
- Set it to run via an Automation on a schedule (weekly works well), or add it to your home screen as an on-demand button
Screenshots pile up fast. This shortcut alone can free up meaningful storage on your iPhone.
5. Share Your ETA in One Tap
What it does: Grabs your current location, calculates your ETA to a saved destination (like home or work), and texts it to a contact — all in one tap.
How to set it up:
- Create a new shortcut
- Add Get Current Location
- Add Get Travel Time to a saved destination
- Add Send Message with a template like: “I’m on my way. ETA: [travel time]”
- Add to your home screen
This is faster and more personal than sharing a Maps link.
6. Focus Mode on a Schedule
What it does: Automatically enables a Focus Mode (like Work or Sleep) based on the time of day or your calendar events, and disables it when the time period ends.
How to set it up:
- Go to Automation and create a Time of Day trigger
- Set your desired start time (e.g., 9:00 AM on weekdays)
- Add the action Set Focus and choose your Focus mode
- Create a second automation to turn it off at the end of your work day
You can also trigger Focus Mode based on a calendar event matching a keyword, like “Meeting.”
7. NFC Tag Automations
What it does: Tap your iPhone to a cheap NFC sticker (available on Amazon for under $15 for a pack) and trigger any action — turn on Do Not Disturb, play a playlist, dim the screen, run a morning routine, and more.
How to set it up:
- Buy NFC215 stickers (widely available and compatible with iPhone XS and later)
- Go to Automation and select NFC as the trigger
- Tap your phone to the sticker to scan and name it
- Add whatever actions you want to trigger
Common placements: bedside table (sleep mode), car dashboard (driving mode), desk (work focus). This is one of the most creative uses of the Shortcuts app.
8. One-Tap Wi-Fi Toggle for a Specific Network
What it does: Connects to (or disconnects from) a specific Wi-Fi network in one tap — useful if you frequently switch between networks at home, work, or a client site.
How to set it up:
- Create a new shortcut
- Add the action Set Network
- Specify the network name
- Add to your home screen with a recognizable icon and label
Note: iOS does not allow fully silent Wi-Fi switches without a confirmation tap, but this shortcut gets you there in two taps instead of five.
9. Translate Text Instantly
What it does: Copies text from your clipboard and translates it into a language of your choice, then displays or speaks the translation.
How to set it up:
- Create a new shortcut
- Add Get Clipboard
- Add Translate Text, set your target language
- Add Show Result or Speak Text
- Add to your home screen or share sheet for quick access
Useful for travel, international contacts, or reading product listings in other languages.
10. Back Tap to Run Any Shortcut
What it does: Double-tap or triple-tap the back of your iPhone to trigger any shortcut you’ve built. This is technically an Accessibility setting, but it integrates directly with the Shortcuts app.
How to set it up:
- Go to Settings > Accessibility > Touch > Back Tap
- Choose Double Tap or Triple Tap
- Scroll down and select any shortcut from your library
This turns the back of your phone into a hidden button. Popular uses: open the camera, turn on the flashlight, mute audio, or launch your morning briefing shortcut.
Comparison Table: Manual Shortcuts vs. Personal Automations
| Feature | Manual Shortcut | Personal Automation |
|---|---|---|
| How it runs | You tap it (home screen, widget, Siri) | Triggers automatically |
| Common triggers | Home screen icon, share sheet | Time, battery, location, NFC |
| Requires confirmation | No | Optional (“Ask Before Running”) |
| Best for | On-demand tasks | Hands-free, recurring tasks |
| Setup location | Shortcuts tab | Automation tab |
Getting the Most Out of Shortcuts on a Used iPhone
The Shortcuts app works on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later, which covers iPhones going back to the iPhone 6S. If you picked up a used iPhone on Swappa, it almost certainly supports everything on this list.
A few things to confirm when setting up Shortcuts on a used device:
- iOS version: Update to the latest iOS your device supports to get the most current Shortcuts actions
- Location permissions: Several automations require Location access — check Settings > Privacy > Location Services
- Battery health: If your used iPhone’s battery health is below 80%, the low battery shortcut becomes even more useful as a daily habit
If you’re thinking about upgrading your iPhone, you can list your current iPhone on Swappa and put that money toward a newer model with a healthier battery and more Shortcuts compatibility.
FAQ
Does the iOS Shortcuts app work on older iPhones?
Yes. The Shortcuts app is available on any iPhone running iOS 13 or later, which includes the iPhone 6S and all newer models. Some newer actions (like Back Tap) require iOS 14 or later, and NFC automations require iPhone XS or later.
Do iOS Shortcuts drain battery?
Most shortcuts use minimal power. Automations that run frequently in the background (like location-based triggers) can have a small impact, but it is generally negligible compared to screen-on time or streaming.
Can I share my shortcuts with others?
Yes. You can export any shortcut as an iCloud link and share it. There are also large online communities (like r/shortcuts on Reddit and RoutineHub.co) where people share pre-built shortcuts you can import in one tap.
What’s the difference between Shortcuts and Siri Suggestions?
Siri Suggestions are automatic predictions based on your habits — Siri might suggest an app at a time you usually open it. Shortcuts are intentional automations you design yourself. Both live on your iPhone, but Shortcuts gives you full control over what happens and when.
Can I use Shortcuts on iPad and Mac too?
Yes. The Shortcuts app syncs across iPhone, iPad, and Mac (macOS Monterey and later) via iCloud. A shortcut built on your iPhone is available on your Mac automatically if you’re signed into the same Apple ID.
Bottom Line
The iOS Shortcuts app is one of the most powerful tools sitting on your iPhone right now — and most people never open it. The 10 automations above cover the most practical use cases: communication, battery management, focus, and cleaning up clutter. Start with one or two, and you’ll find yourself building more.
If you’re shopping for an iPhone that can handle all of the above, Swappa has verified listings with clean ESN, accurate condition ratings, and no surprise fees for buyers.
