Productivity
Apple Shortcuts
Apple's free app for building multi-step shortcuts and automations on Apple devices
What is Apple Shortcuts?
Apple Shortcuts is Apple's free app for combining steps from several apps into shortcuts that run with a tap, by asking Siri, or automatically when an event occurs, such as a time of day or arriving at a location. Shortcuts can come from the Gallery or from apps' built-in shortcuts, or be built step by step, and the Use Model action can send requests to Apple Intelligence models or ChatGPT. It runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch and can sync shortcuts between devices through iCloud.
Good for
- Running a routine automatically at a set time of day
- Reviewing the day's meetings with a tap or by asking Siri
- Passing text to an Apple Intelligence model or ChatGPT and using the reply in later actions
- Combining actions from apps such as Calendar and Reminders into one shortcut
Key features
- Shortcuts that combine steps across apps and run with a tap or by asking Siri
- Automations triggered by events such as a time of day, arriving at or leaving a location, or opening an app
- Gallery of ready-made shortcuts in category rows such as Essentials and Morning Routine
- Built-in shortcuts and actions from Apple and third-party apps
- Use Model action for on-device or Private Cloud Compute Apple Intelligence models, or ChatGPT
- Runs on iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch, with iCloud sync between devices
Limitations to know about
- An automation asks before it runs unless set to run without asking, and only some triggers allow that
- Automations are specific to a device and sync to other devices turned off
- Apple Intelligence is not available in all languages or regions, and its Cloud models in Shortcuts have daily usage limits
- Some features need recent releases: creating a shortcut from a written description needs iOS 27, iPadOS 27 or macOS 27
Apple Shortcuts pricing
Apple Shortcuts is free to use.
Free plan limits: Requires iOS 12.0 or later on iPhone, iPadOS 12.0 or later on iPad, watchOS 7.0 or later on Apple Watch or visionOS 1.0 or later on Apple Vision, per the App Store; Apple Intelligence Cloud models in Shortcuts have daily usage limits
Apple Shortcuts alternatives
IFTTT
Links apps and smart-home devices through simple automations called Applets
Microsoft Power Automate
Microsoft tool for cloud workflows, desktop RPA and process mining
n8n
Workflow automation and AI agent builder you can self-host or use in the cloud
Zapier
No-code tool that connects web apps and runs automated, AI-assisted workflows
Make
Visual no-code tool for building automated workflows and AI agents across apps
Pipedream
Workflow automation for developers, with 3,000+ integrated apps and custom code
Guides that use Apple Shortcuts
Frequently asked questions
Is Apple Shortcuts free?
Yes. Apple Shortcuts is free to use.
How much does Apple Shortcuts cost?
Apple's App Store lists the Shortcuts app, from Apple Inc., as Free. The listing says it requires iOS 12.0 or later on iPhone, iPadOS 12.0 or later on iPad, watchOS 7.0 or later on Apple Watch and visionOS 1.0 or later on Apple Vision. Its description says shortcuts can run with a tap from the Home Screen, by asking Siri, or even automatically.
Can Apple Shortcuts run automatically?
Yes. Shortcuts with automations run actions based on events such as time of day, arrival at a location, or the opening of an app. When the event occurs, you get a notification asking you to run the automation, and you can also enable an automation to run without asking. Automation shortcuts are specific to a device: they are backed up to iCloud and sync to other devices with the automation disabled.
Can Apple Shortcuts use ChatGPT or Apple Intelligence?
Yes. The Use Model action sends your prompt to a model, which you can use to provide input to an action, parse the output of an action, and more. Models include the on-device Apple Intelligence model, which works without a network connection, Cloud models on Apple's Private Cloud Compute, and an extension model that uses ChatGPT. Cloud models in Shortcuts have daily usage limits, and Apple says expanded access will be available for a fee in the future.
What is Apple Shortcuts used for?
Apple Shortcuts is Apple's free app for combining steps from several apps into shortcuts that run with a tap, by asking Siri, or automatically when an event occurs, such as a time of day or arriving at a location. People use it for running a routine automatically at a set time of day, reviewing the day's meetings with a tap or by asking Siri, passing text to an Apple Intelligence model or ChatGPT and using the reply in later actions and combining actions from apps such as Calendar and Reminders into one shortcut.
What are the alternatives to Apple Shortcuts?
Tools that do a similar job include IFTTT, Microsoft Power Automate, n8n, Zapier and Make. Each has its own page here with its plans, limits and prices.
Who makes Apple Shortcuts?
Apple Shortcuts is made by Apple, based in Cupertino, California, US. The company was founded in 1976.
Sources
Every fact on this page comes from the pages below, read on the dates shown: Apple's own pages first, and a named public reference where they are silent.
- apps.apple.com/us/app/shortcuts/id1462947752 (pricing ('Free'), devices and OS versions, Describe a Shortcut) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/welcome/ios (what Shortcuts does; user guide for iPhone and iPad (iOS 27)) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/intro-to-shortcuts-apdf22b0444c/ios (shortcuts across apps, run with a tap or by asking Siri) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/intro-to-automation-shortcuts-apd690170742/ios (automations, the events that trigger them, confirmation before running, sync between devices) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/add-automations-apdfbdbd7123/ios (adding automations; which automations can run without confirmation) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/travel-triggers-apd8ebfc4e8e/ios (Arrive and Leave triggers) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/discover-shortcuts-in-the-gallery-apdd018638ca/ios (Gallery) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/run-shortcuts-with-siri-apd07c25bb38/ios (running shortcuts with Siri on iPhone, iPad, HomePod, Apple Watch and Mac) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/run-app-shortcuts-apd43295406d/ios (built-in shortcuts from Apple and third-party apps) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/use-apple-intelligence-in-shortcuts-tpg3vrvwmclv/ios (Use Model action, Apple Intelligence and ChatGPT models, language and region availability, daily usage limits) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/sync-shortcuts-apdb3a4240b0/ios (iCloud sync across devices, including Apple Watch) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts/ideas-for-custom-shortcuts-apdb272b27ec/ios (examples of use) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/shortcuts-mac/welcome/mac (Shortcuts on Mac (user guide for macOS 27)) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/guide/watch/shortcuts-apd99050d435/watchos (Shortcuts on Apple Watch and which shortcuts work there) read 16 October 2026
- support.apple.com/en-us/149045 (Shortcuts features new in iOS 27, iPadOS 27 and macOS 27) read 16 October 2026
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple_Inc. (company founded and headquarters) read 16 October 2026