Apple is preparing a major overhaul of the Shortcuts app—and this time, it’s powered by Apple Intelligence, the company’s cutting-edge AI initiative, as part of the broader Apple Intelligence initiative driving the integration of advanced AI capabilities. Expected to debut at WWDC 2025, Apple’s Worldwide Developers Conference, which will be held at Apple Park in California in June, this redesigned version promises smarter automation, deeper system integration, and a user experience that adapts to both beginners and power users. With AI at the core, Apple’s AI-powered Shortcuts app could redefine how we interact with iPhones, iPads, and Macs.
The Shortcuts app traces its origins to Apple’s acquisition of the indie app Workflow in 2017. This acquisition was a pivotal moment that shaped the evolution of Apple’s automation tools, laying the foundation for the current Shortcuts experience.
According to Mark Gurman, who has reported extensively on Apple’s plans, the upcoming overhaul and AI integration are expected to be major highlights of the event.
Introduction to Automation
Automation is rapidly transforming the way we interact with technology, making everyday tasks faster, easier, and more efficient. At its core, automation is about using software to perform actions that would otherwise require manual effort—whether that’s sending a message, organizing files, or controlling smart devices. On Apple devices, the Shortcuts app stands out as a powerful utility that empowers users to create custom workflows, connecting apps and services in ways that save time and reduce repetitive work.
With the latest advancements, the Shortcuts app is increasingly integrated with AI capabilities, allowing users to create automations using natural language interactions. Instead of piecing together actions step by step, users can now simply type or speak what they want to happen, and the app will interpret and build the workflow. This shift toward natural language and voice commands means that even complex system-level functionalities are just a simple text prompt or voice command away. Whether you want to automate daily routines, streamline business processes, or just make your device more responsive to your needs, the Shortcuts app on Apple devices is unlocking new possibilities for users to perform actions with ease.
AI-Driven User Experience: From Text Prompts to Natural Language Commands
In the current Shortcuts app, automation creation requires some manual configuration—linking actions, specifying triggers, and testing flows. However, the current interface can be complex and intimidating for less technical users. The revamped version aims to transform automation into a natural conversation by integrating AI capabilities.
Instead of building workflows step-by-step, users will be able to type or speak simple natural language instructions like:
“When I get home, dim the lights, play my chill playlist, and open Netflix on the TV.”
Apple Intelligence models will interpret this request, pull relevant actions from installed apps, and create a functioning shortcut without manual assembly. By integrating AI capabilities, this new app will be more capable, allowing users to automate tasks with simple voice commands or text prompts. This AI model will:
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Interpret vague commands and clarify missing details.
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Suggest enhancements based on user habits.
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Learn from your device usage to improve future automations.
Shortcuts App Use Cases
The versatility of the Shortcuts app means there’s almost no limit to what users can automate on their Apple devices. For everyday users, shortcuts can handle simple tasks like sending a daily weather update, sharing your ETA with a contact, or automatically silencing your phone during meetings. For power users, the app becomes a robust tool for creating complex workflows that span multiple apps and services.
For example, you might create a shortcut that automatically backs up important files to Google Drive, or one that compiles data from different sources into a single report. Another popular use case is automating smart home controls—imagine arriving home and having your lights, thermostat, and favorite playlist adjust automatically. The Shortcuts app also excels at streamlining repetitive business tasks, such as data entry, file management, or scheduling meetings.
With the integration of AI capabilities, these workflows are becoming even more dynamic. Users can now create shortcuts that adapt based on context, like sending a notification to a family member when you reach a certain location, or generating personalized reminders based on your calendar and habits. Accessibility is another area where the Shortcuts app shines, enabling users to set up custom workflows for tasks like making phone calls, sending messages, or managing reminders with just a tap or voice command. As Apple continues to expand the app’s capabilities, expect to see even more innovative and powerful use cases emerge, making automation an essential part of the Apple experience.
Third-Party Developer Access & Apple Intelligence Expansion
Apple is expected to open up new APIs for developers, enabling third-party apps to fully integrate with the Apple Intelligence-powered Shortcuts ecosystem. As part of its ongoing efforts in developing new AI-driven features, Apple is working on enhancing Apple Shortcuts with advanced automation and natural language capabilities.
This means:
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More app-specific actions inside Shortcuts.
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Access to external data sources, including web data integration, for richer automation (e.g., weather APIs, stock market feeds).
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AI models adapting based on both system and third-party data.
By doing so, Apple is taking a step toward a more open automation ecosystem, something the developer community has been requesting for years.
Siri, Health App, and System-Level Enhancements
Alongside the Shortcuts app redesign, Apple is reportedly overhauling Siri to work seamlessly with Apple Intelligence. This means Siri will no longer just perform single commands—it will be able to:
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Run multi-step automations entirely via voice.
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Access system settings without the need to dig into menus.
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Use context awareness (time, location, device state) to respond intelligently.
The Health app will also receive an AI boost—integrating with Shortcuts to create personalized wellness routines. As part of the broader iOS 26 update, a redesigned health app will enhance health data management and user experience. For example:
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If your Apple Watch detects poor sleep, a morning shortcut could delay alarms, activate gentle lighting, and queue a calming playlist.
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Workout shortcuts could automatically adjust based on heart rate and recovery data.
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A shortcut could automatically edit a sleep log or workout entry when new data is detected, streamlining content modifications within your wellness routines.
Power Users: Going Beyond Simple Automations
For automation-curious users, the new interface will make creating shortcuts easier than ever. But power users will gain advanced controls like:
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Conditional logic based on AI-detected context.
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Multi-device automations (trigger something on your iPhone and Mac simultaneously; for instance, when you arrive home, your Mac unlocks and your iPhone starts a playlist).
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Integration with Mac system-level functionalities—think opening Final Cut Pro, loading your latest project, and applying specific workspace setups in one command.
Advanced shortcuts can be created using the new tools, allowing users to design and customize complex workflows before saving them as reusable automations.
Here’s a quick comparison table of the current vs. new capabilities:
|
Feature |
Current Shortcuts App |
AI-Powered Shortcuts App |
|---|---|---|
|
Automation creation |
Manual, step-by-step |
Natural language + AI suggestions |
|
Siri integration |
Basic |
Context-aware, multi-step |
|
Third-party support |
Limited |
Expanded APIs + data integration |
|
System settings access |
Manual navigation |
Voice or AI-triggered |
|
Learning ability |
Static |
Adaptive via Apple Intelligence |
Why This Matters: Broader Industry Trends
Apple’s move is part of a larger automation wave across tech. Competitors like Google and Microsoft are embedding large language models into productivity tools, with Microsoft’s Copilot+ bringing advanced AI-driven automation to Windows. These tools make it easy for users to automate all sorts of stuff, from organizing files to managing daily routines, with simple commands. But Apple’s tight ecosystem offers something unique:
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Privacy-focused AI running largely on-device.
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Hardware-software synergy that makes automation feel invisible.
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Consistency across iPhone, iPad, Mac, and potentially Vision Pro.
Analysts believe this overhaul will drive adoption among casual users while giving power users unprecedented control.
External Read:Mark Gurman’s Bloomberg Coverage on Apple AI
The Road to WWDC 2025
As WWDC 2025 approaches, expectations are high. Some features that were initially planned for an earlier release have been rescheduled for WWDC 2025, raising anticipation for what Apple will unveil. If Apple delivers:
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Smarter Shortcuts that require no manual scripting.
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A more useful Siri that actually handles complex requests.
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Health-driven automations for wellness optimization.
…it could signal a new era for automation on Apple devices—one where AI-powered Shortcuts become as essential as the App Store itself.
**Related Internal Link:**How to Find Your Wi-Fi Password on iPhone and Android Devices
Final Words
The redesigned Apple’s AI-powered Shortcuts app is more than just a quality-of-life upgrade—it’s a strategic move that could set the standard for mobile automation. By combining natural language understanding, deep system integration, and personalized AI suggestions, Apple is making automation accessible without sacrificing control.
Whether you’re an automation newbie or a power user building complex workflows, WWDC 2025 might just deliver the most exciting upgrade to Apple devices in years.
FAQs
1. Will the new Shortcuts app work on older devices? Apple is expected to limit Apple Intelligence features to devices with the latest chips, but basic Shortcuts functionality should remain widely available.
2. Can I still build manual workflows? Yes—manual editing is not going away, but AI can now handle the heavy lifting.
3. Will it work offline? Some actions will run on-device, but AI features requiring large language models may need internet access.
4. Will developers have to update their apps for this? Yes, to fully integrate with Apple Intelligence APIs, developers will need to add new support.
