Apple Shortcuts is a powerful automation tool, but its built-in actions are a bit limited. It’s easy to get stuck in the middle of building something when you realize it’s not possible. The free Actions app now helps by adding 141 actions, many of which Apple should have included in the first place.
Shortcuts 101 – 7 How to Build Shortcuts for App Icons, Menus, QR Codes, and HomeKit Switches
I could spend the rest of this article listing its features, but I’ll spare you and just say that it’s a lot. Highlights include lots of unit conversion tools, a ton of system integrations for checking things like whether a particular Bluetooth or Wi-Fi device is connected, and a ton of features for working with images and lists. The app works for both mobile devices, including the iPhone and iPad, and Macs. A few of the actions only work on one or the other, but the vast majority work across all devices.
To get started, simply install the application and create a new shortcut. The best way to get a feel for the new possibilities is to go to Shortcuts, create a new shortcut, and check out the actions per app. You'll find everything under "Shortcuts",
I had a lot of fun with this. The first workflow I built turns all highlighted text into an image with a random image from Unsplash as the background. Here’s how the shortcut works:
