You can use Apple Shortcuts to automate interactions with Things by setting up triggers based on your geolocation, time of day, or other environmental factors. Here are some examples about how you could use it.
To get started with Automation, see Apple’s instructions.
Trigger actions based on your 📍 location
You can use Automation to trigger Shortcuts actions when you are Arriving at or Leaving a certain location.
For example, you could:
- Be reminded about items you want to buy when you’re at a specific store.
Things opens to your Shopping area, filtered by that store’s tag. - Be reminded about things to discuss with your parents when you arrive at their house.
Things opens and displays all to-dos tagged Parents. - Be reminded about tasks to perform when you get into your car.
Things opens and displays Today, filtered by Errands.
Use Apple’s Shortcuts app to configure the action you want, and choose what location will trigger it. Your iPhone will then prompt you to run the action when you arrive or leave.
Trigger actions at a ⏰ time of day
You can use Automation Shortcuts to trigger actions at a specific time of day.
For information about setting regular time-based reminders for your to-dos or projects, see this page.
For example, you could:
- Be reminded in the morning, after turning off your alarm, to open Things and plan your day.
Things opens to your Today list, showing your to-dos and events for the day. - Be reminded at night, just before you go to sleep, to review your to-dos for the next day – you can couple this with Apple’s Sleep feature.
Things opens to your Upcoming list, showing your to-dos and events for tomorrow.
Use Apple’s Shortcuts app to configure the action you want, and choose what time you want it to run. Your iPhone will then prompt you to run the action when the time comes.
Get help
If you want to read more about how to set up your Automations, be sure to read Apple’s guide.
Siri, Automation, and the Shortcuts app are made by Apple, so we have no way to provide support for those technologies ourselves. If you have any questions about how they work, or any trouble using them, please contact Apple for assistance.