iOS 12: How to Choose Shortcuts App Shortcuts on iPhone

To choose a shortcut in the Shortcuts app on iOS 12, open the app, tap the shortcut you want to run, then tap the play button (▶) in the preview screen that appears. You can also run a shortcut directly from the Today View widget or by asking Siri, but the app itself is the primary place to select and launch them.

Background: What the Shortcuts App Is (and Isn’t)

The Shortcuts app arrived with iOS 12 in September 2018, replacing the older Workflow app that Apple had acquired the year before. It is a visual scripting tool: you build a sequence of actions (like “Get Current Location,” “Send Message,” or “Open App”) and chain them together. Each saved sequence is called a shortcut. On iOS 12, the app is preinstalled on new devices, but on older iPhones you may need to download it from the App Store. It works with iPhone 5s and later, and with iPad and iPod touch models that support iOS 12.

A common misconception is that the Shortcuts app is a library of pre‑made “shortcut buttons” you can pick from. In reality, it is a builder and a runner. The “Gallery” tab inside the app offers ready‑made shortcuts you can add, but you still have to choose one and add it to your list before you can run it. The app also integrates with Siri: you can record a custom phrase for any shortcut and then say that phrase to trigger it.

How to Choose a Shortcut in the Shortcuts App (Step by Step)

On iOS 12, the process is straightforward once you know where to look. Here are the exact steps:

Open the Shortcuts app – tap the multicolored icon on your home screen. If you don’t see it, swipe down on the home screen and search for “Shortcuts.”
Go to the “My Shortcuts” tab – this is the default tab when you open the app. You’ll see a list of all shortcuts you have created or added from the Gallery.
Tap the shortcut you want to run – this opens a preview screen showing the shortcut’s name, its actions, and a large play button.
Tap the play button (▶) – the shortcut will start running. Some shortcuts may ask for input (like text or a photo) before they proceed.

If you have many shortcuts, you can also use the search bar at the top of the “My Shortcuts” screen to find one by name. Tapping a shortcut in the list does not run it immediately; it opens the preview. That’s a deliberate design—it lets you review what the shortcut does before you trigger it.

Choosing a Shortcut from the Today View Widget

iOS 12 added a Today View widget for Shortcuts. Once you add the widget (swipe right on the home screen, scroll to bottom, tap “Edit,” then add “Shortcuts”), it shows a list of your shortcuts. Tapping one runs it immediately, without opening the app. This is often the fastest way to choose and run a shortcut on iOS 12.

The widget shows only a limited number of shortcuts (usually the most recently used or the ones you’ve pinned). To pin a shortcut to the widget, open the Shortcuts app, tap the “…” (ellipsis) on the shortcut, then toggle “Show in Widget.” You can reorder them by editing the widget list.

Choosing a Shortcut with Siri

On iOS 12, you can assign a custom phrase to any shortcut. To do that:

In the Shortcuts app, tap the “…” on a shortcut.
Tap “Add to Siri.”
Record a phrase like “run my morning routine.”
Tap “Done.”

After that, you can say “Hey Siri, run my morning routine” and the shortcut will run. This is not really “choosing” a shortcut in the app, but it’s a way to select and run one without touching the screen. On iOS 12, Siri integration is limited to shortcuts you’ve explicitly added; you cannot say “run shortcut X” for any shortcut unless you’ve set up the phrase.

Common Problems When Choosing Shortcuts on iOS 12

Users often report a few issues when trying to select or run shortcuts on iOS 12:

Shortcut doesn’t appear in the list – if you just created it, tap the “+” in the top right to create a new one. If you added it from the Gallery, it should appear under “My Shortcuts.” If it’s missing, check that you’re signed into iCloud and that the shortcut wasn’t deleted accidentally.
Play button is grayed out – this usually means the shortcut has an error (like a missing action or a permission issue). Open the shortcut and look for a red or yellow warning icon. Tap it to see the problem.
Shortcut runs but does nothing – some shortcuts require input or permissions. For example, a shortcut that sends a message may need access to your contacts. Go to Settings > Privacy and make sure the Shortcuts app has the needed permissions.
Widget doesn’t show the shortcut – make sure you’ve toggled “Show in Widget” on the shortcut’s settings. Also, the widget may need to be refreshed; swipe down on the widget to reload it.

If a shortcut still won’t run, try deleting it and re‑adding it from the Gallery, or rebuilding it step by step to isolate the issue.

How to Choose Between Multiple Shortcuts (Comparison)

If you have several shortcuts that do similar things, you can organize them into folders. On iOS 12, tap “Edit” in the top right of the “My Shortcuts” screen, then tap “New Folder” to create a folder. You can move shortcuts into folders by dragging them. This helps when you have many shortcuts and need to choose the right one quickly.

You can also rename shortcuts to make them more descriptive. For example, instead of “Shortcut 1,” rename it to “Send ETA to Mom.” That makes choosing the right one easier when you’re scanning the list.

Costs and Availability

The Shortcuts app is free and does not require a subscription. Some shortcuts in the Gallery may use third‑party services that require their own accounts or fees (like a shortcut that orders food or books a ride), but the app itself is free. On iOS 12, there is no in‑app purchase for the core functionality. The app is available on all iPhones that support iOS 12, which includes iPhone 5s and later.

Note that the Shortcuts app on iOS 12 is not the same as the “Shortcuts” feature in iOS 13 and later, which added automation (like “When I arrive home”). On iOS 12, you can only run shortcuts manually—there is no automatic triggering based on time or location.

Safety and Privacy Considerations

When you choose a shortcut from the Gallery, you’re essentially downloading a script that can access your data and control apps. Apple reviews Gallery shortcuts, but that doesn’t guarantee they’re completely harmless. Always review the actions in a shortcut before running it, especially if it asks for personal information like your location, contacts, or photos.

You can see exactly what a shortcut does by opening it and scrolling through the actions. If you see an action that seems unnecessary or suspicious, don’t run it. Also, be cautious when downloading shortcuts from the internet—they can contain actions that send your data to third‑party servers. Only use shortcuts from sources you trust.

Alternatives to the Shortcuts App on iOS 12

If the Shortcuts app doesn’t meet your needs, there are alternatives:

Workflow – the predecessor, but it’s no longer available on the App Store. If you already have it, it still works on iOS 12, but it’s not updated.
Launch Center Pro – a third‑party app that lets you create custom launchers for actions and URLs. It’s more limited than Shortcuts but still useful.
Scriptable – a JavaScript‑based automation app for iOS. It’s more powerful for advanced users, but requires coding knowledge.
Do it manually – for simple tasks, you might not need a shortcut at all. For example, instead of a shortcut that opens a specific map route, you can just open Maps and type the address.

These alternatives are not built into iOS 12, so you’ll need to download them separately. They are not as tightly integrated with Siri as Shortcuts is.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why don’t I see the Shortcuts app on my iPhone?

The Shortcuts app was not preinstalled on all iOS 12 devices. If you don’t see it, go to the App Store and search for “Shortcuts” – it’s free. It requires iOS 12 or later, so if your phone is older, you may not be able to install it.

Can I run a shortcut without opening the app?

Yes. You can add the Shortcuts widget to your Today View and tap the shortcut there. You can also use a Siri phrase if you’ve set one up. On iOS 12, there is no other way to run a shortcut from outside the app.

How do I delete a shortcut I don’t want?

In the Shortcuts app, tap “Edit” in the top right of the “My Shortcuts” screen, then tap the red minus button next to the shortcut and confirm. You can also swipe left on a shortcut and tap “Delete.”

Why does my shortcut ask for permission every time?

Some actions require permission (like accessing your location or sending a message). On iOS 12, the Shortcuts app may ask each time because it doesn’t have “always allow” for all actions. You can go to Settings > Privacy and grant permanent access for certain data types, but some actions will still prompt.

Can I share a shortcut with a friend?

Yes. In the Shortcuts app, tap the “…” on a shortcut, then tap “Share.” You can send it via AirDrop, Messages, or Mail. Your friend must have the Shortcuts app installed on iOS 12 to receive it.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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