How I use Shortcuts automations to make life run more smoothly

Cupertino, February 27, 2020

Shortcuts for automating applications

Source: Joseph Keller / iMore

Earlier, I explained how shortcuts make my iPad more enjoyable and productive. Shortcuts have become essential to transforming my iPad into my computer for both work and life. But on my iPhone, the equation is different. While I still use shortcuts on my iPhone, everything that really stands out on my iPhone is automation that I use regularly.

If the welcome screen on my iPad is more task-oriented, because of the shortcuts I placed there, the home screen of my iPhone is still application-centric. Instead of relying on the shortcuts on my iPhone (though they are becoming more and more present on my home screen), using the shortcut application on my iPhone focuses on automation. The automations allow me to quickly deal with some of the more ordinary activities in my life, and this just helps everything work better.

Here's how I use automation to help make life better.

First things first: What are shortcut automations?

In shortcuts, an automation is essentially a shortcut that is triggered under a certain condition. Instead of expecting it to run manually, the Shortcuts application essentially pays attention to meeting the specific trigger condition, then executes your automation or, in some cases, begins the process of executing it, asking for your permission.

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In general, there are two types of automation: those that run automatically when triggered and those that ask for permission to run when the trigger condition is met. The first group includes those automations that have a certain type of active trigger, such as touching your iPhone with an NFC tag or sticker or starting a workout on the Apple Watch. The second group has several passive triggers, such as when you arrive or leave a location. Basically, if the trigger requires direct user interaction with the device to activate, then Shortcuts does not have to ask you if you can run your automation.

So why use automation instead of creating shortcuts and adding them to the iPhone home screen or the quick access widget? First of all, I would not want these things to clutter my Home screen, as it only applies at certain points in the day. Secondly, I don't want to accidentally trigger them by touching their icons when using iPhone. And third, I do it because it's fun and interesting.

Awakening

Awakening

Source: iMore

I hate alarms. I just hate them. Whether it's a tone or a song, I eventually get scared and, especially if it's a song, my anxiety level increases as soon as I hear it.

Light, on the other hand, does not cause such anxiety. I have a set of Nanoleaf Aurora panels mounted on my wall. These LED panels are colorful, programmable with different scenes and, most importantly, connect to HomeKit. I am not a fan of illuminated rooms, which is why most of the time, Aurora panels are my main light source in my bedroom. I also serve as my wake up alarm at 6:15 a.m. every week in the morning. I also added a modifier that should only be activated when I'm at home, so if I'm ever out of town, my lights won't turn on.

While this is a bit misleading, because it uses HomeKit instead of shortcuts, it is an essential automation in my routine and is often a gentler wake-up call than most alarms I have ever used.

Training time

Training time

Source: iMore

Most mornings, I get out the door early to go for a run, which I watch on the Apple Watch. I take my iPhone with me as well as the AirPods Pro. In addition to noise cancellation, the AirPods Pro features an audio transparency feature that lets you hear the outside world while wearing AirPods. For those exercising outdoors, this can be an important safety feature that will help keep us up to date with our surroundings, while still allowing us to listen to our favorite music.

The automation we built on all of these automatically activates audio transparency for the AirPods Pro when starting a workout on the Apple Watch. The first part of my training involves crossing many streets, so it is good to hear the cars coming, as well as others sharing your training space in the morning. Simple automation, but very useful.

He goes to work

He goes to work

Source: iMore

After I get back from training, I clean and get dressed, it's time for work. I am lucky to be able to work from home, so commuting from my room to the office is extremely fast. This also means that my office is in my HomeKit loop, along with my room. Automating the "Morning Rout" means I can turn off the room lights and turn on those in my office at the same time with one action.

This automation uses an NFC tag. NFC, or close field communication, is a wireless communication protocol that allows the transmission of information between two NFC enabled objects as they approach each other. An NFC tag is a small object, often a sticker or, in my case, a small plastic disk that your iPhone can read. Particular disks can be linked to specific automations from the shortcuts and I have one installed next to my bedroom door. When you touch the iPhone on it, this automation is turned off.

Not only does this automation turn on the light next to my desk in the office, it also lights up the Apple TV and open the TV app on it. Often I like to have something in the background while working, usually a movie or a show that I have seen a lot. And because Apple TV uses CEC to control my TV, the TV itself is switched on when I open my office door.

The end of the day

The end of the day

Source: iMore

This automation is exactly the opposite of the previous one. Enabled when I close my workday, this is another NFC-based automation, activated from a label that sits in the corner of my office. The touch that turns off the light and leaves the Apple TV to sleep, which in turn turns off my TV. It also activates the Aurora panels in my room and sets a color pattern that I find particularly relaxing.

On the road

On the road

Source: iMore

Low power mode is a great feature for iOS, which reduces back or turns off certain features on your iPhone, such as background multitasking, to keep battery power. But, after you've fed or started charging, you need to remember to stop it. With this automation, I don't have to rely on my memory. If I was away and away from a charger for a while and started on low power consumption, this automation automatically shuts it off, removing memory from the equation.

This automation uses CarPlay as the trigger. Once I plugged my iPhone into the car, it starts charging and, once CarPlay is activated, it also does the automation, turning off the low power consumption mode and allowing the iPhone to take over the full range of capabilities again.

Your automations

These are the automations that help improve most of my days. It may seem like they are dealing with trivial issues, but it only eliminates the extra friction one day and makes a difference.

Did you create something like that? Do you have automations that you use to make your days easier, or do you just do common tasks? Tell us in the comments.

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