Apple Simplifies Shortcuts App with New iOS 17 Update

Apple is making its Shortcuts app simpler to use with iOS 17. The app, which allows power users to create automation for their favorite apps, will receive an updated user interface, making it easier to find Shortcuts as well as the actions a given app can perform.

The Evolution of Shortcuts

The Shortcuts app has typically had a small but devoted following. Those with the skills to build shortcuts frequently built their own custom app icons to match their new iPhone Home Screen themes and widgets. However, the app has been more widely adopted by everyday users in recent years.

New Design Features

With iOS 17, Apple is hoping to make Shortcuts even more appealing to the everyday user with a new design. In the updated app, your Shortcuts are organized in featured rows, enabling you to get started with your favorite apps with minimal extra steps. The redesign also makes it easier to identify the actions associated with an app and simplifies the process of creating automation.

Spotlight Search

When searching for an app in Spotlight search, users can also see common actions associated with that app. Developers can adopt colors that are associated with their app that will appear when their app is displayed in Spotlight on the Shortcuts app. Thumbnail images can also be used for each entity instance.

Siri Integration

Apple made some subtle changes to Siri to make it easier to use spoken commands to trigger App Shortcuts. Even if the exact wording isn’t used, Siri will be able to understand the phrase as the Shortcut’s trigger, thanks to on-device machine learning that will allow similar phrases to also work.

HomePod Compatibility

App Shortcuts will now work on HomePod if the associated app is installed on a companion iOS or iPad device.

Improved Automation Setup Process

The Automation setup process was also improved, but as this is more of a consumer-facing feature, Apple didn’t discuss the redesign in its developer session.