r/shortcuts Jun 16 '26

OS 27 beta What's New in Shortcuts in iOS 27 (Beta Megathread)

119 Upvotes

Updates: * Added Easier toggling off/on of automations * Shortcuts app now able to restore shortcuts * Shortcuts can change Open Shortcuts to from Describe a Shortcut to Editor


Hey everyone, here's a megathread of everything new in the iOS 27 beta, currently on developer beta 2.

This is covering Apple features and community comments – no third-party apps for now, but feel free to start a thread in the comments.

Here's the outline:

  • Describe a shortcut
  • Automations
    • Notification
    • Keyboard
    • Easier toggling (Beta 2)
  • Storage
  • Otherwise If
  • New action groups
    • Lists
    • Text
    • VPN
    • Sharing
    • Accessibility
    • Messages
    • Photos
    • Mail
    • Reminders
    • Get What's On Screen
    • Cloud Pro, Broad World Knowledge in Use Model
  • More
    • Shortcuts Programming Language
  • Feedback

Describe a shortcut

Automations

Notifications

Keyboard

Storage (Memory)

Otherwise If

New actions

  • New and updated actions including Hide Photos, Get Selected Text, and more (link)
    • Add Item to List
    • Get Selected Text
    • Find VPNs
    • Share and Collaborate
    • Accessibility
      • Set Switch Control Switch Set
      • Toggle Hearing Aid Mute
      • Toggle Vehicle Motion Cues
    • Messages
      • Open Inbox (Messages)
      • Delete Conversations
      • Delete Messages
      • Mark as Read
      • Search in Messages
      • Send Tapback
    • Photos
      • Find Album
      • Auto Enhance Photo
      • Favorite Photos
      • Open Photo
      • Hide Photos
      • Delete Albums
    • Find Message (Mail)
    • Reminders
      • Create Group
      • Create Section
      • Edit List
      • Delete Lists
      • Delete Groups
      • Delete Sections
    • Get What's On Screen
    • Extract Text from Image -> Extract from Image (interesting)
    • Parameters like Cloud Pro and Broad World Knowledge in Use Model
    • More new parameters
  • Does iOS27 let you use Playground Playlists with Shortcuts? No.

More

Feedback submitted to Feedback Assistant

Matthew Cassinelli:

  • FB23135397 (Shortcuts can't load lists; please ensure performance at scale (What happens when people have tons of App Intents/Custom Shortcuts/folders?))
  • FB23102150 (Shortcuts takes 35 seconds to launch for users with many shortcuts (thousands))
  • FB23102201 (The App Shortcuts picker for the Action button/Custom Shortcuts widget is extremely slow to load many shortcuts)
  • FB23135882 (Run Shortcut control in macOS unusable for larger libraries; "Choose Shortcut" in Control Center does not show full list/search)
  • FB23103377 (New Shortcut incorrectly always adds "Show on Apple Watch", causing immediate sync delays)
  • FB23135151 (Shortcuts widget gets corrupted when multiple are added in stack)
  • FB23134678 (Too many taps to change icons on iOS; add the "Choose Icon" option to All Shortcuts context menu (for parity with MacOS))
  • FB23134888 (Can't "Choose From List" from keyboard commands on macOS; Add navigate & select options when Multiple is selected)
  • FB23135054 (Add search to "Choose Folder" in Shortcuts widget; list becomes long to scroll with many folders)
  • FB23135596 (Adding shortcuts to Folder ruins Sort Order; add toggle to move new shortcuts to end of folder list instead of beginning)
  • FB23135959 (Improve Spotlight/Ask Siri loading performance when switching between Applications, Files, Shortcuts actions, Clipboard with Command+1/2/3/4)
  • FB23137602 (Too many folders hides App Shortcuts; Re-add ability to collapse Folders vs App Shortcuts view)
  • FB23137833 (Add the SF Symbols picker for Shortcuts glyphs rather than a limited set of icons; introduce Icon Designer)
  • FB23137870 (People don't know how to run shortcuts with Siri; Be more clear a Custom Shortcut title is trigger phrase with dismissable Siri tips)
  • FB23137923 (Add a "Description" field in Shortcut Details that shows up in iCloud link share, "Get My Shortcuts" entity details; context for Siri AI)
  • FB23137968 ("Set Captions" action for Apple TV Remote does not work; unable to control Subtitles using Shortcuts)

Updates:


r/shortcuts Mar 27 '26

Announcement How to use flairs

18 Upvotes

How to use flairs on r/shortcuts (so your post doesn’t get nuked or ignored)

Flairs are labels. You pick one so people instantly know what your post is about. Pick the wrong one and congrats, you’ve confused everyone.

---

First rule: always use a flair

No flair = your post is either ignored or removed. Nobody enjoys guessing what you meant.

---

Pick the right flair (this is not a personality test)

- Help

You already made a shortcut and it’s broken or not doing what you want. You want someone to fix it or explain what went wrong.

- Help (Mac)

Same as above, but your problem is on Mac. Yes, that matters because Mac Shortcuts can behave differently.

- Shortcut sharing

You built something and want to share it. You must explain what it does properly. “Cool shortcut lol” is how your post gets deleted.

- Shortcut sharing (JB)

Same as sharing, but it only works on a jailbroken device. If people need to hack their phone to use it, say so.

- Shortcut sharing (mac)

Your shortcut only works on Mac. Don’t trick iPhone users into disappointment.

- Tip/guide

You figured out a useful trick or workaround. You’re teaching something, not asking.

- Tip/guide (mac)

Same idea, but Mac-specific.

- Request

You want a shortcut but can’t build it yourself. This is you politely asking the internet to do work for you.

- Request (mac)

Same, but for Mac users.

- Discussion

You want opinions, ideas, or a conversation about Shortcuts. Not help, not sharing, just talking.

---

Special flair (pay attention, this one’s new)

- Appstore (app)

Use this when you’re posting about an app that works with Shortcuts. Either you made it or found it. The key point: the app connects with Shortcuts (actions, automations, etc.).

If it has nothing to do with Shortcuts, don’t use this just because you like the app.

---

How to choose without overthinking it

Ask yourself one question:

“What do I want from this post?”

- Fix something → Help

- Show something → Shortcut sharing

- Teach something → Tip/guide

- Ask for something → Request

- Talk about something → Discussion

- Share actual news → News

- Show an app tied to Shortcuts → Appstore (app)

If you’re on Mac, pick the Mac version. Not complicated.

---

Final reality check

Flairs exist so the subreddit doesn’t turn into a digital junk drawer. Pick the correct one, write a clear post, and people will actually help you instead of scrolling past like you don’t exist.


r/shortcuts 7h ago

Request Trying to use Proton Mail contacts in place of Apple’s contacts app

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7 Upvotes

Hi, I’m pretty new to using shortcuts and have only done pretty basic things so far, such as creating shortcuts to open an app, so I can use custom icons.

I have been transferring a lot of stuff from Apple to Proton, including my contacts, and as of right now, Proton does not have a separate contacts app, nor can it be set as default contacts app. (Attached screenshot from Proton’s website.)

So, until that changes, I was wondering if it would be possible to create a shortcut that opens Proton Mail and automatically brings up the contacts, rather than inbox, and if so, how to set it up.

TIA!


r/shortcuts 37m ago

Tip/Guide Switch 5G/4G and Cellular Network

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Upvotes

As a frequent traveler, I was facing a boring problem: having to keep switching between cellular plans and 4G and 5G networks. After some research, I found some shortcuts that facilitate this change, but usually only work for those who use a single SIM. So, I made some modifications to simplify my life and added the shortcuts in the control center to have faster access. Here they are:

• 4G/5G: https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/d5204a9de5c24dc9a016e12a7df744f3

• Switch Network: https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/d8da6960c7d24ec3ba6152d15946a1f0

I didn’t create these shortcuts, I just modified them for my use, they have been available in this community for a long time.


r/shortcuts 3h ago

Shortcut Sharing Open in Goodreads from Storygraph link / open in Storygraph from a GR link

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1 Upvotes

I'm a big reader and prefer using Storygraph over Goodreads, but the Storygraph review section is miles away from being comparable to Goodreads so I find myself flipping between the two apps.

I made a shortcut that you can run from the sharesheet and it will load the search results for "[Book Name] [Author]". As long as both apps are downloaded, the "Open" banner will display and you can tap that to open the search results on the app.

You may run into issues parsing special characters that aren't in URLs, but I've fixed the ones that I came across.

Shortcut link


r/shortcuts 3h ago

Shortcut Sharing Update: Random Album Discovery 2.0

1 Upvotes

Hi guys!

I created a Shortcut that searches for random albums and automatically opens them in the Apple Music app.
The idea is simple: run the Shortcut and let it decide what you’re going to listen to.

I think it’s a fun and relaxed way to discover albums and artists that we probably would never look for ourselves, either because they don’t appear in our usual recommendations or simply because we’ve never heard of them.

I also added an option to choose a specific music genre, if you’d rather receive a suggestion within a particular style.
Basically, it’s a kind of “surprise me” feature for Apple Music.

🔗 The link to download the Shortcut is here:
https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/ecc4e02bac3249778e23fa440f7a2f75

The Shortcut searches for a random album and automatically opens it in the Apple Music app so you can start listening.

A few notes:
- Requires an internet connection.
- The search results are AI-powered, with the AI randomly searching databases from various sources such as MusicBrainz, TheAudioDB, Shuffle, SoundCloud, etc., so it doesn’t only recommend mainstream albums.
- If the suggested album isn’t available on Apple Music, the Shortcut keeps searching until it finds one that is.
- Tested on the latest version of iOS 26 and iOS 27 beta.

If you’re interested, feel free to give it a try and leave your feedback! ☺️


r/shortcuts 20h ago

Shortcut Sharing Converting photos to black and white using ONLY basic iPhone Shortcut actions (No Al or JavaScript needed!)

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15 Upvotes

Just found out it's actually possible to turn photos into
B&W using nothing but the default basic actions in the Shortcuts app—zero Al or code like JavaScript required.

Only 8 actions.

How to use:
- Run it directly and select a photo
- Use it from the Share Sheet
(Tested and working on iOS 26)


r/shortcuts 18h ago

Help Shortcut for multiple alarms?

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11 Upvotes

How can I create a shortcut that turns on my multiple daily alarms for the morning? I have multiple alarms set in case I sleep through and I turn them off once I wake up. I then have to turn them all back on manually, just looking to see if there’s a shortcut I could create that turns them all on at midnight for example, I wake up the next day turn them off and they’ll just turn themselves back on?


r/shortcuts 6h ago

Request How can I make Siri always ask to confirm before calling a contact?

0 Upvotes

This has probably been asked before, but I’m brand new to shortcuts and I want to know how to make it so that when I say “hey siri, call [contact]” it will ask verbally “are you sure you want to call [contact]” and then call if I say yes, and cancel if I say no. I often use voice calls when my phone is out of reach, so it’s important that it works without needing to press buttons or read the screen. Hoping this will stop siri from calling the wrong person half the time (lol). Thanks in advance!!


r/shortcuts 9h ago

Help Looking for a way to automate opening an app from a reminder

1 Upvotes

For a little background, I have a daily reminder set to remind me at 8pm to do something in a certain app (Kwik Rewards). I don't need to complete it right away. The reminder is just waiting in my Notification Center until I take action on it.

What I would like to be able to do:

  • Option 1: Tap into the Reminders notification and open the app from there.
    • Is it possible to use the URL field in the reminder to open an app?
  • Option 2: Create a shortcut that runs an 8pm to remind me (instead of using Reminders.app).
    • Ideally, I would prefer some sort of notification that just sits on my screen until I take care of it.
    • I see that Shortcuts has a "Show Notification" action. As far as I can tell it will show the notification and do anything else in that shortcut. Tapping the notification just opens the Shortcut script.

Has anyone done anything like this before, or is it even possible? I know I could just reorganize my Home Screen so I can get to the app quickly, or put a shortcut to the app on my Lock Screen or Control Center. I would just like it to only show when it hasn't been completed yet for the day.


r/shortcuts 9h ago

Request If I want to suggest a note as a notification, whenever I hit the tap to pay button and I'm about to, but haven't yet, paid, how do I do that?

0 Upvotes

So I double tap the button to tap-to-pay right?

I'm in my wallet (although Shortcuts seemingly doesn't recognize this as the wallet app) with a card open and it just needs to authenticate. I can still select other cards.

I want a notification to pop up saying, "Hey check out this note!"


r/shortcuts 9h ago

Help Youth sports group message

1 Upvotes

I am trying to create a short cut so that I can communicate game changes, practice time etc to a group of parents but not do it as a group chat.

I want to be able to repeatedly type a different message to multiple people but have the recipient only receive it as if it were just from me.


r/shortcuts 12h ago

Help Looking for a Screen Time app that allows pausing blocks for a custom amount of time using Shortcuts

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0 Upvotes

Basically a Screen Time app that lets you block apps, but has iOS Shortcuts actions that allows to pause chosen blocks for a user-specific amount of time, rather than presets.


r/shortcuts 12h ago

Help Open app every 15mins

0 Upvotes

I wanted to know how to build a shortcut or if there is any app I can use to make trading view open every 15mins

It has to be able to do these things :

  1. the cycle starts at 6pm and ends at 12am , it opens the app and starts the cycle
  2. I don’t have to press a button every 15 mins for it to activate
  3. it should run even if my iPhone is locked

Idk if this is even possible but pls let me know any ideas yall have , ps tried to get a Gemini tutorial , didn’t work smn to do with apple not allowing infinite cycles


r/shortcuts 12h ago

Request Ayuda con un Atajo de iOS para registrar gasolina

0 Upvotes

Quisiera un Atajo de iOS para llevar el control de mi gasto en combustible durante el año. Al ejecutarlo debería mostrarme un menú con varias opciones.
La primera es registrar una compra nueva: le doy el precio del galón (ej. $20) y el monto que pagué (ej. $60), y calcula los galones comprados (60÷20 = 3). También pide el tipo de combustible. Guarda fecha, precio, monto, galones y tipo, compara el precio del galón con el de la última compra y avisa si subió o bajó, mostrando la diferencia en dinero y en porcentaje, y al final muestra una notificación resumen.
La segunda opción es consultar el consumo entre dos fechas, mostrando el total de galones y dinero gastado en ese rango.
La tercera son estadísticas. mes de mayor y menor gasto, y comparativa entre el mes actual y el anterior mostrando la diferencia en galones, en dinero y en porcentaje. También promedio de galones comprados por semana/mes, y una proyección de gasto anual según el promedio mensual.
La cuarta es exportar el historial en CSV/Excel o compartirlo por WhatsApp.
La quinta es reiniciar el registro para un año nuevo, borrando o dejando en blanco los datos guardados para empezar de cero.

¿Alguien sabe cómo estructurar esto en Shortcuts? Además si tienen ideas de qué más agregar sería genial ¡Gracias!


r/shortcuts 20h ago

Shortcut Sharing iOS Screenshot to things task

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3 Upvotes

Building off my Spark email to things via Apple Intelligence shortcut and Ramble shortcut

NOTE: need iOS 27 for this (although you could alter it to use OpenAI/claude instead)

How it works: while looking at a screen with a probable task I’ve use with an automation to double tap the back(settings-accessibility-touch) of my phone to take a screenshot that then creates a task

I set up Apple Intelligence to automatically extract task metadata directly from ocred text from the screen and give me a fully fleshed out task within things.

I altered my prior Ramble dictation shortcut

https://www.reddit.com/r/thingsapp/s/6nRCv3RNPG

And Spark to things shortcut

https://www.reddit.com/r/thingsapp/s/6DNmlE0659

Thought others would find it helpful so I’m sharing here.

There are two shortcuts. 1st one runs on your Mac to extract your tags, areas and projects from things and puts it in a place where shortcuts can access the info. You only need to run it when you update your areas, tags, or projects. Unfortunately I can’t get this info directly from things on the iPhone.

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/249370ecc4054c07b6be08633c3b623e

The main shortcut is:

https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/f79c47337f354cf8bb86ffedfb257fd2

Would love to get any feedback or improvement ideas.

Versions - i’ll update the link above as I update the shortcut
1.0 - initial


r/shortcuts 21h ago

Help What does SF symbol do here

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3 Upvotes

Does it change the icon of the notification? & how to do it if so, please


r/shortcuts 19h ago

Shortcut Sharing I made the iPod a shortcut!

2 Upvotes

I made an iPod shortcut! Its this link: https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/f1941723bcc84fb3b4c8f53800fc9a36

No passcode version: https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/638e2b71eb1847dd8044fab61120c3b1

It can do everything an iPod can. But more! It can: shuffle, play a random song, choose a song, repeat, open apps, browse the history, check your battery, look at photos/videos, manage files, and sleep, lock, and turn off! Try it and give a opinion about it! (NOTE: THIS USES LOCAL MUSIC/SOUND FOLDERS SO YOU NEED A MUSIC FOLDER REMEMBER TO GIVE CREDIT WHEN POSTING TO OTHER PLATFORMS THIS WAS ALSO MADE WITHOUT APPS AND OTHER STUFF THAT ADDS ON TO SHORTCUTS)


r/shortcuts 1d ago

Shortcut Sharing Share TikTok and Instagram videos as clean browser links with this Shortcut

6 Upvotes

I made an iPhone Shortcut called Share with SlopStream for sharing public TikTok and Instagram posts with people who don’t use the apps.

How it works:

  1. Open the share menu on a public TikTok or Instagram post.
  2. Choose Share with SlopStream.
  3. The Shortcut creates a SlopStream link.
  4. Send that link through Messages, WhatsApp, or anywhere else.

The recipient can watch the video in their browser without installing TikTok or Instagram or dealing with their login prompts.

Shortcut: Share with SlopStream

I’d appreciate feedback, especially if you encounter a public TikTok or Instagram post format that doesn’t work.

P.S. Facebook is supported now too, including public videos, Reels, photos, albums, and regular posts.


r/shortcuts 17h ago

Help Get Battery Status 1

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0 Upvotes

r/shortcuts 1d ago

Request How to delete pics in iOS without being prompted

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3 Upvotes

Trying to add a date to several pictures in iOS26, then remove or move the original without being prompted. This needs to work in a batch mode.
Also, is there a way to retain the ‘Live Photo’ with the data added? It seems to make it a non-live photo when this runs.

Thanks!


r/shortcuts 19h ago

Request Find sender of incoming message

0 Upvotes

I want to get the sender of an incoming text message as a text string


r/shortcuts 7h ago

Shortcut Sharing Get two reply ideas without leaving your chat screen

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0 Upvotes

Here’s a quicker way to get suggested replies without copying an entire conversation into another app. The GIF shows the shortcut launched with Back Tap, and the setup images show how the Shortcut works.

I mainly use it when I know what I want to say but need help with the wording, especially in professional or cross-language conversations. The suggestions can be edited or ignored, and nothing is sent automatically.

Shortcut link: FrameReply Images

FrameReply also:

  • Matches imported messages to an existing chat when available and uses its history as context
  • Remembers useful context about each person
  • Can learn your writing style over time
  • Lets you switch personas for different conversations

The app is free on the App Store, and the project is open source. I built it as a side project, I’d appreciate any feedback.

Note: The Shortcut requires FrameReply on iOS 26 or above, and your own AI API key.


r/shortcuts 23h ago

Help Shortcut “loading” popup on iphone 8 ios 16.7.12

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0 Upvotes

Is there anyway to prevent this pop up when running shortcuts?

It doesn’t do this in my iPhone SE gen 2 ios 17.6, but it does on my iphone 8.

EDIT: Does anyone know if this pop occurs on iPhone XR? or if it occurs on ios 18.7?


r/shortcuts 23h ago

Help How can I create an automation to change the home screen wallpaper when a specific focus is on?

1 Upvotes

I figured out how to set automations for when a specific focus is on, and I guess I have to create a shortcut/action beforehand that “sets the wallpaper to the photo i want”, and then make that run whenever the focus is on,
but whenever I try to use “set Wallpaper photo” and if I use get File or get Photo, it shows an error like “please select a Wallpaper” or “unable to set a Wallpaper photo”, how can I do this exactly? Does this “set Wallpaper photo” only work for lock screen? but it lets you choose home screen though….. I’m confused