Actions are the building blocks of a shortcut. As you add actions to your custom shortcut, you can view information about each action, sort the list of available actions by category or by search term, and create favorite actions for future use. Because many actions use other apps on your device, you can also view actions sorted according to the app they use.
As you build a shortcut, the Shortcuts app predicts what actions you may want to use next. For example, if the last action is a Contacts action, the app suggests actions such as Call or FaceTime. In a shortcut that ends with a Get Current Song action, the list suggests actions such as Add to Playlist or Get Details of Music.
Note: Actions that use another app on your device to accomplish a task may require you to grant permission by tapping Allow Access in the shortcut editor.
View all actions in a specific category
In the Shortcuts app
on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap on a shortcut.In the shortcut editor, tap
to display a list of action categories.Tap a category name (Media or Web, for example).
All actions related to the category you chose appear in the list, organized by subcategory.
on a shortcut.
to display a list of action categories.View information about an action
In the Shortcuts app
on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap on a shortcut.In the shortcut editor, tap
to display a list of action categories.Tap an action category in the list, then tap
for a specific action.A brief description of the action appears, including the type of content that can be used as input (if any) and the resulting output. To learn more about inputs and outputs, see Intro to how shortcuts work on iPhone and iPad.
Tip: Once an action is placed in a shortcut, you can tap the action’s icon, then tap Show Info to display the action’s description.
for a specific action.Search the list of actions
In the Shortcuts app
on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap on a shortcut.In the shortcut editor, tap
to display a list of action categories.Enter a term in the search field.
The list is sorted to show actions containing that search term as well as the apps used by those actions. Try searching for get, find, or add to explore a variety of actions across multiple categories. You can also search for specific topics like music or events, or for apps and services you use.
View all available actions for an app
As you build a custom shortcut or modify and existing shortcut, you can easily sort the list of available actions by app name—for example, to see all of the actions that use the Safari app.
In the Shortcuts app
on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap on a shortcut.In the shortcut editor, tap
to display a list of action categories.Tap Apps.
Tap an app name.
All actions related to the app you chose appear in the list.
View actions suggested by Siri
Siri Suggestions appear in the action list and are based on how you use your device.
In the Shortcuts app
on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap on a shortcut.In the shortcut editor, tap
to display a list of action categories.Scroll down to see suggestions based on how you use your device.
Siri-suggested actions appear in the list.
Tap
to display a description of an action.
For information on adding shortcuts to Siri, see Run suggested shortcuts on iPhone or iPad and Use Siri to run shortcuts with your voice.
Mark an action as a favorite
In the Shortcuts app on your iOS or iPadOS device, do one of the following:
In the shortcut editor: Tap the icon of the action you want to mark as favorite, then tap Favorite.
In the action list: Tap
on the action you want to mark as favorite, then tap Add as Favorite.
The action is added to the Favorites category of actions.
View favorite actions
In the Shortcuts app
on your iOS or iPadOS device, tap on a shortcut.In the shortcut editor, tap
to display a list of action categories.Tap Favorites.
Actions that you previously marked as favorites appear in the list.
