Do you ever feel like your day is filled with small, repetitive tasks? Whether it’s sending reminders, adjusting settings, or just staying on top of things, these tiny chores can eat up a surprising amount of time. What if your iPhone could handle some of these tasks for you? Thanks to iPhone automations, it can.
By using the Shortcuts app, you can set up smart workflows that handle repetitive actions for you, making your daily routine smoother and more efficient. In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the best iPhone automation ideas that can simplify your life.
What Are iPhone Automations?
iPhone automations are pre-defined actions that your phone can carry out automatically based on certain triggers. These triggers can be time-based (like every morning at 8 a.m.), location-based (when you arrive at work), or even activity-based (when you open an app).
The magic happens through the Shortcuts app, a free tool available on all modern iPhones. With this app, you can create and manage automations easily—no coding required!
Why Automate Daily Tasks on Your iPhone?
The idea behind iPhone automations is simple: let your phone take care of repetitive tasks so you can focus on what matters most. Here are some reasons to start automating today:
- Save Time: Free up minutes—or even hours—by letting your iPhone handle routine tasks.
- Stay Organized: Automations help ensure nothing falls through the cracks.
- Enhance Productivity: Reduce decision fatigue by streamlining workflows.
- Unlock iPhone’s Potential: Use your device more effectively and get the most out of its features.
Getting Started with iPhone Automations
Before we dive into the ideas, let’s quickly review how to set up automations using the Shortcuts app:
- Open the Shortcuts app. If you don’t already have it, download it from the App Store.
- Go to the Automation Tab. This is where all your automations live.
- Create a New Automation: Tap the “+” sign and select “Create Personal Automation.”
- Choose a trigger: Pick what will start your automation, like time of day, location, or an app.
- Add Actions: Define what your iPhone should do when the automation is triggered.
- Test It Out: Save your automation and test it to ensure it works as expected.
Related: How to delete apps from your iPhone in iOS 14
Top 10 Best iPhone Automation Ideas
Now that you know how automations work, let’s look at the 10 best automation ideas to simplify your daily tasks:
1. Morning Routine Automation
Mornings can be hectic, but with automation, your iPhone can set the tone for a productive day. Here’s how you can automate your morning routine:
- Trigger: Time of day (e.g., 7:00 a.m.).
- Actions:
- Turn Off Do Not Disturb: As soon as your alarm goes off, silence is lifted, and you’re ready to receive calls or messages.
- Launch Your Morning Playlist or Podcast: Let your favorite tunes or motivational podcasts play automatically to energize you.
- Show the Weather Forecast: Display or read aloud the day’s weather conditions so you can dress appropriately.
This automation ensures you wake up to a perfectly tailored morning experience without manual effort.
2. Location-Based Reminders
Ever forget to buy something or pick up an item? Location-based reminders can help.
- Trigger: Arrival or departure from a specific location.
- Example:
- When you arrive at the grocery store, your iPhone can display your shopping list.
- If you leave home without your wallet, your phone can send a reminder to grab it.
Set this up by choosing “Arrive” or “Leave” as your trigger and adding a custom message or list.
3. Low Battery Alerts
Running out of battery at critical moments is frustrating. With this automation, your iPhone helps you conserve energy and stay charged.
- Trigger: Battery level falls to a specific percentage (e.g., 20%).
- Actions:
- Display a notification: “Your battery is at 20%. Plug in your charger.”
- Automatically enable Low Power Mode to reduce power usage.
- Reduce screen brightness to save energy.
This ensures your device lasts longer when the battery is low.
4. Automating Text Messages
Some texts, like daily updates or reminders, don’t have to be typed every time. Automate them to save effort.
- Trigger: Specific time or location.
- Examples:
- Send “On my way home!” to your partner automatically when you leave work.
- Wish your friends or family a happy birthday by scheduling messages to be sent at 9 a.m. on their special day.
This not only saves time but also ensures you never forget important communications.
5. Weather Updates
Stay prepared for the day’s weather without checking it manually.
- Trigger: Time of day (e.g., 6:30 a.m.).
- Actions:
- Display the current weather conditions.
- Provide a brief summary of the forecast, including temperature, rain chances, and wind speeds.
This automation is perfect for planning outfits, commutes, or outdoor activities.
6. Smart Home Control
Turn your iPhone into a hub for your smart home devices, like lights, locks, and thermostats.
- Trigger: location-based or time-based.
- Examples:
- When you arrive home, your iPhone can:
- Unlock your front door.
- Turn on the living room lights.
- Adjust the thermostat to a comfortable temperature.
- When you leave home, your iPhone can:
- Turn off all lights.
- Lock the doors.
- Enable your security system.
- When you arrive home, your iPhone can:
This creates a seamless and secure smart home experience.
7. Focus Mode Activation
Stay productive and avoid distractions by automating Focus Mode.
- Trigger: time of day, calendar events, or app launches.
- Actions:
- Enable Focus Mode to block notifications.
- Allow only essential apps and contacts to notify you during work hours or meetings.
- Disable Focus Mode after the event or time window ends.
This is especially helpful during work hours, study sessions, or when you need quiet time.
8. Health and Fitness Tracking
Take care of your health effortlessly by automating fitness and wellness tasks.
- Trigger: Time of day or completion of a fitness activity.
- Examples:
- Hydration Reminders: Set a recurring notification every 2 hours to remind you to drink water.
- Workout Logs: Automatically log workouts or start a workout playlist when you open the fitness app.
- Bedtime Routine: At 10 p.m., your phone can dim the screen, silence notifications, and remind you to wind down.
These automations ensure you stay on track with your health goals.
Related: How to Fix Most Common Apple TV Problems
9. App Launch Shortcuts
Save time by automating specific actions when you open apps.
- Trigger: App launch.
- Examples:
- When you open the Camera app, enable Do Not Disturb so you’re not interrupted while taking photos or recording videos.
- When you launch your Notes app, your phone can automatically create a new note titled with the current date and time.
This makes using your apps faster and more convenient.
10. Travel and Commute Assistance
Make your daily commutes or travel plans stress-free with helpful automations.
- Trigger: Leaving for work or arriving at a transit station.
- Examples:
- Automatically start navigation to work with traffic updates when you leave home in the morning.
- When you approach a transit station, display your train or bus schedule.
- If you’re driving, play your favorite playlist or podcast to make the commute enjoyable.
These automations are a lifesaver for staying on schedule during travel.
Conclusion
With these 10 iPhone automation ideas, you can streamline your daily tasks and focus on what truly matters. Automations are more than just time-savers—they make your phone smarter and your life simpler. Start small, experiment with different triggers and actions, and soon, your iPhone will feel like a personal assistant.
Take advantage of the Shortcuts app and let your iPhone work for you!
FAQs
1. What is the Shortcuts app, and how do I use it?
The Shortcuts app is a free tool on iPhones that lets you create automations and workflows to perform tasks automatically.
2. Can iPhone automations run without my interaction?
Yes, some automations can run automatically, but others may require confirmation for security reasons.
3. Are these automations compatible with older iPhones?
Automations work on iPhones running iOS 14 or later. Some features may require newer devices.
4. Can I create automations without coding knowledge?
Absolutely! The Shortcuts app is user-friendly and doesn’t require coding skills.
5. What are the best resources for learning more about automations?
Apple’s support page and communities like Reddit and YouTube are excellent places to find tutorials and inspiration.