Apple has added new actions to the Shortcuts app in iOS 17 to make automation and task management even more efficient. Here are some of the new features that users can benefit from:
iOS 17 adds new actions to shortcuts
The Shortcuts app is an essential feature of Apple’s iOS, iPadOS, and macOS platforms, and is designed to make it easier to automate various tasks and functions. This allows users to create custom workflows that can automate a series of actions across multiple apps.
For example, a single tap or voice command to Siri can trigger shortcuts like sending a text message, setting an alarm, or even launching an app.
New action for shortcuts
In iOS 17, Apple added new actions across various categories and system features. These include “Audio Transcription,” “Open Camera,” “Show Password,” and more.
Apple has also updated some actions. For example, “Set Timer” can start a new timer even if another timer is active. Get network details has been updated to include channel number, hardware MAC address, and data transfer rate.
Shortcut example
New shortcut actions help people be more productive, enhance their workflows, and generally simplify their lives. For example, freelancers working from home can use Shortcuts to interview sources, record personal and/or business transactions, and manage passwords.
Transcription of the interview
For example, users can take advantage of the new “transcribe audio” action that converts audio recordings to written text.
- Capture the interview using the Record Audio action.
- The “transcribe audio” action then converts the saved audio file to text.
- Use the Save File action to save the transcribed text as a .txt file in the specified folder in the Files app.
- Finally, select the Show Notification action to alert the user that the transcription is complete and the text file has been saved.
This is useful for journalists, students, or anyone who needs to quickly convert spoken language into written language.
Log transactions
In addition to new actions, iOS 17 introduces new automations related to the Wallet app. Users can use the “Transactions” automation to automatically perform various tasks, such as recording new purchases in a spreadsheet.
- Open the Shortcuts app and at the bottom[オートメーション]Tap the button and select the plus sign in the top right corner.
- Scroll down and find “Transactions”.
- Users can then choose to add their purchases to an Apple Notes note or to a spreadsheet they created.
Newly introduced transaction automation allows users to categorize transactions based on the credit or debit card used, the type of expenditure, and even the specific store where the purchase was made.
Open iCloud Keychain
For users who use iCloud Keychain to store their passwords, Apple has finally added a “Show Password” action to iOS 17. This only requires one action, but users can also search for specific accounts.
- Open the shortcut and search for the “Show Password” action. The password section of iOS settings will open. Users can stop here and tap the share icon to add it to their home screen, or they can continue using the “Search Terms” filter.
- Tap the arrow icon for the Show Password action.
- Long press the text field and select Ask every time. This allows users to search for accounts. For example, enter “Amazon” and he opens his Amazon password, or enter another account.
- Users can then still choose to add it to their home screen or keep it within the Shortcuts app.
Freelancers can use shortcuts to search for various online accounts and log into content management systems.