Why Shortcuts?
Sorry for those who don’t use Apple products, but for me, it’s the Shortcuts that make the difference compared to other manufacturers. iOS Shortcuts are one of the main reasons why I remain in the Apple ecosystem. Just like home automation, Shortcuts are a tool to simplify daily tasks and spend more time on things that really matter. They make it possible to turn a simple smartphone into a true personal assistant, capable of anticipating your needs and performing complex actions in a single gesture.
Concrete examples in daily life
iOS Shortcuts allow me to automate simple but essential tasks. For example, when I leave home, my phone automatically sends a command to Home Assistant to activate the alarm. Also, when I use my phone to make a payment, the transaction is automatically logged in a spreadsheet, allowing me to track my expenses effortlessly. Additionally, when I disconnect from CarPlay, my phone automatically saves my location so I always know where I parked. But that’s not all, shortcuts can also: send a predefined message to your loved ones when you leave work, launch a specific playlist as soon as you plug in your headphones, turn your connected lights on or off depending on the time of day, create productivity routines such as enabling Focus mode then opening your work apps with a single tap, and so much more... With shortcuts, you can create automations that function nearly like standalone applications.
The Advantages
- Time-saving: a single action can trigger multiple tasks.
- Customization: each user can create shortcuts tailored to their lifestyle.
- Integration: they work with Siri, HomeKit, and many third-party apps.
- Accessibility: they simplify phone usage for people who want to reduce repetitive actions.
Limitations
No one around me uses them. People don’t even know what Shortcuts are for. The programming isn’t intuitive at all, even for people like me who are comfortable with programming. There’s real potential… but it takes a bit of persistence to fully unlock it. That’s why I’ll be sharing my own Shortcuts on this Website, along with tutorials to help those who want to use them.
Tips for Getting Started
- Start with simple shortcuts (sending a message, opening an app).
- Explore the gallery of shortcuts provided by Apple, which already contains many ready-to-use models.
- Test your shortcuts regularly to make sure they work as expected (especially after updates, where regressions can occur).
- Don’t hesitate to share your creations with the community, you’ll often find inspiring ideas. On Reddit, there are quite a few topics on this subject.
Conclusion
If you’re part of the Apple ecosystem, Shortcuts are essential to unlock the full potential of your home automation system. By mastering them, you’ll gain both comfort and efficiency.