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iOS 27 Shortcuts App May Write Custom Actions for You Using AI

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Apple continues to develop a new feature for its Shortcuts app that will let users generate unique actions using Apple Intelligence models, based on backend code discovered by Nicolás Alvarez and confirmed by MacRumors.

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For those unfamiliar with the Shortcuts app, the tool lets users create elaborate custom workflows or actions – called shortcuts – to perform tasks automatically or with minimal interaction. Actions can include anything from sending messages to controlling smart home devices. The app emerged out of Apple's 2017 acquisition of Workflow, which was rebranded as Shortcuts the following year.

As part of iOS 26, Apple added Apple Intelligence support to the Shortcuts app, allowing AI models to be incorporated into shortcuts. In contrast, the new version that Apple is working on will let users create actions using Apple Intelligence models – by issuing voice commands in natural language, for example – which should give the app more mass appeal.

Last June, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman reported that Apple was working on the AI-driven feature for release in 2025, but he said that delays could see it launch in 2026. For iOS 27, Apple is expected to include a revamped Siri that functions like a genuine conversational chatbot and can interact with apps, so it's likely that the shortcuts generator will be part of its skill set.

Article Link: iOS 27 Shortcuts App May Write Custom Actions for You Using AI
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/03/31/ios-27-shortcuts-app-custom-actions-ai/
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All I want it to do is disable locking when it knows I'm in my car so my phone stays awake, would be so handy but it doesn't allow system functions.
 
Must have been like this from day 0. Apple is so ridiculously SLOW at everything. Why do we have to wait for BASIC FUNCTIONALITY for so long?

I mean those are few lines of code, you can already ask AI assistant of your choice to make shortcut for you or give some ideas for shortcuts
 
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It's a good use of AI, because people might want some quirky action that no one else wants and if this helps them create that shortcut then that sounds good. I have used LLMs before to help with my ytdl shortcut and you can test and iterate—not to build it because it's not good enough to do it just how I wanted, as I'm very particular, but to fix when it stopped working. Models have many issues for this use case, but in time this will improve.

I think Apple should develop a drag-and-drop design app that also has natural language vocal input as an modern day design tool—it's time. Like a modern day iWeb, but for all areas of design from logo design, to app icons, to glyphs and software buttons, and the app could even feature website making with some level of Squarespace and Shopify integration.

You shouldn't need a third party design app to make app icons for Apple's platforms. Being a design focused company Apple is suited to develop such an app, and they should. They could use it themselves internally and include versions of it on all their platforms. Call it Apple Designer or Designer Pro.
 
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Apple_Robert said:
It will be interesting to see how much 3rd party incorporation happens with the app ability.
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I'm looking foward to this. I am hoping it will allow more control in apps. One I would find super useful is opening Arbor, screen shotting the timetable and sending to my son every time he text's asking what his timetable is 🙂
I'd also like to be able to run a shortcut that launches Xbox Family or Deco and blocks wifi/time on said apps. Automate everything!
 
Shortcuts was a stop gap for Siri being so dumb. Instead of asking Siri to set something up or do something Apple had to create shortcuts and it was still too confusing.

Let's hope we can just ask Siri to do something, set something up or just create actions or shortcuts for us. If there is no specific setting in the menu let us just ask Siri to change something or create a custom switch in the menu. Just like creating custom emojis with AI if there is no emoji you just want.
 
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Apple never seems to even take a passing glance at what other platforms are doing. I create robust and complex automations using the Alexa app to control Hue lights and sensors, Echo speakers, and Fire TVs. I walk into the kitchen in the morning, the lights spring to life, one screen gives me the weather, and another turns on the local news. For years now.

These are the kinds of "it just works" experiences I don't get from Apple Home or Shortcuts.
 
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Very much looking forward to this.

I have an occupancy sensor in my office. It works really well but isn’t perfect. Sometimes, it I’m very still, concentrating on my screen, it stops detecting my presence and my lights go out.

I wanted to create a simple shortcut.

If the occupancy sensor stops detecting occupancy, start a three minute timer then turn off the lights. If occupancy is detected while the timer is active, cancel it (thus leaving the lights on.)

It was damn near impossible to do. But i would love AI to get involved in setting things like that up quickly. It’ll really open up possibilities, especially for the less technically-minded.
 
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jonnysods said:
All I want it to do is disable locking when it knows I'm in my car so my phone stays awake, would be so handy but it doesn't allow system functions.
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This is definitely not the use case I would suggest telling Apple about when requesting the addition of a “Set Auto-Lock” action. I assume the intent is something to do with navigation, although it reads more as “I want to actively use my phone while driving.”

Note that Apple offers an API for apps to disable Auto-Lock themselves while they’re in the foreground. Check the settings of whatever app you’re using (or quit texting and driving, if that’s the use case).
 
I'd rather them fix Shortcuts automations, which they destroyed in iOS 26, than add more stuff. Sure, this new feature might be cool, but right now Shortcuts automations fail more than they fire, and multiple highly detailed reports to Feedback Assistant have done precisely nothing to get attention on the problem.

I feel like Apple is already punting on fixing many of OS26's failures (Shortcuts automations, macOS Music app, Siri unable to play music from local libraries, etc.) to try and address them somehow in the OS27 release. Which is frustrating -- OS 26 is basically a lost year.
 
Shortcuts is good but it has been so limited until recently. On Mac I can now make an automation that can disable Night Shift and TrueTone when launching DaVinci Resolve, and re-enable them when I quit. Couldn't even do that for many years because it didn't even have app launch/quit triggers. But the concept is good and I'm glad they're taking it more seriously. Not having to use single-purpose apps for every tiny thing is good.
 
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I tried to use the Shortcuts app once. Instead of the desired action, all that happened was a notification that the iPad needs to be unlocked for the shortcut to work.

This limits quite a bit of things that you might think of doing in the background, potentially while the device is locked. There was no information in the app indicating that this was a limitation to consider.
 
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