Three Helpful Shortcuts
Every few months I have a little problem that is “Shortcut-shaped”, meaning it can be addressed with a small iOS shortcut. Here’s a couple of the ones I use the most. I hope you find them as useful as I do.
Open Page on Web Archive
This solves the problem of getting blocked by a paywall when trying to read an article. It’s not perfect, and the archive site goes down from time to time, but overall it’s extremely helpful and likely my most used shortcut.
It can be triggered directly from the iOS sharesheet and I have versions for both Safari and Google Chrome.
Map Home
This next one automates opening Maps and mapping yourself home when you start your car. It’s probably made obsolete by CarPlay, but I don’t have CarPlay! It uses “connected to Bluetooth device” as a signal and offers to open mapping directions from your current address -> Home if you are far enough away. Adding this to your device will start some onboarding questions where you select the Bluetooth device name for your car, and enter your home address.
Connect to AirPods
Finally, a super simple one that takes 1 tap off of something I have to do all the time, it adds up! I have AirPods that I connect to both my phone, and my work Macbook, which isn’t signed in to my Apple Account. Automatic handoff doesn’t work well in this situation and Apple decided reconnecting your phone to in-use AirPods should be a two tap process. This shortcut can be added to your Control Center and does it in just one tap.
A Bonus! Open Settings for Current App
I found out about this one from Quinn Nelson. It simply opens up Settings to whatever app is currently in use. Like the AirPods one, it’s intended to be used from Control Center.