Workflow, the automation app that Apple acquired back in March of 2017, was today updated to version 1.7.8, introducing a new Mask Image action, and a long list of other bug fixes and improvements.

As MacStories points out, the Mask Image action added in today's update is a feature Workflow users have been wanting for several years. The new action, which applies a mask to an image and cuts it into any desired shape, is designed to make it easier to simplify image editing workflows that require image masking features.

workflowforios
By default, the masking feature offers rounded rectangle, ellipse, and icon masking options, but custom masks can also be used.

The new Workflow update also introduces new fields for the Add Things To-Do action, it makes items reorderable in the dictionary action, and it adds support for opening workflows to the URL scheme. Extracting text from PDFs has also been improved, as has drag and drop handling. Multiple bug fixes are included, as outlined before:

  • Workflow names are now case-insensitive
  • Fixed a crash when running the Edit Image action
  • Fixed Todoist and Slack authentication when using a Google account
  • Fixed an issue where icons from Search App Store and Get My Workflows were saved as JPEG, not PNG
  • Fixed an issue where the Encode Media action may not delete temporary files properly when encoding to MP3
  • Fixed an issue where the Custom X-Success URL parameter of the Open X-Callback-URL action did not work
  • Fixed an issue where variables could not be added to arrays in the Dictionary action
  • Fixed an issue where booleans could not be added to dictionaries inside dictionaries in the Dictionary action
  • Fixed an issue where a duplicate workflow could appear after searching for a workflow
  • Fixed an issue where Workflow could crash when deleting many workflows at once
  • Fixed an issue where double-tapping a variable button cleared the variable
  • Fixed an issue where the Tweet and Post on Facebook actions did not work from the Today Widget or Apple Watch
  • Fixed an issue where passing the output of Scan QR Code to Open URL did not work properly
  • Fixed an issue where workflows could not be edited after being opened via 3D Touch
  • Performance improvements to workflow running
  • VoiceOver improvements
  • Other bug fixes and minor additions

Since purchasing Workflow in March of 2017, Apple has continued to provide regular updates to the Workflow app, allaying fears that it would be discontinued and abandoned.

The last update to the app, introduced a long list of bug fixes for third-party app actions, was released in November of 2017.

Workflow can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Top Rated Comments

Stella Avatar
97 months ago
Workflow is screaming to have integration with Siri. Must be coming soon.

Create easily your own Siri workflows
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dannys1 Avatar
97 months ago
Every time an update comes out for this i’m reminded that it’s a brilliant app I still haven’t found a use for.

Then people post their ideas in replies and I think they’re great. Try a few out, totally forget about them and never use it again.

I dunno, I guess I’ll just never get Workflow to work in my “workflow” and probably because I use iOS as little as I can.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
petsounds Avatar
97 months ago
Every time an update comes out for this i’m reminded that it’s a brilliant app I still haven’t found a use for.

Then people post their ideas in replies and I think they’re great. Try a few out, totally forget about them and never use it again.

I dunno, I guess I’ll just never get Workflow to work in my “workflow” and probably because I use iOS as little as I can.
That's pretty much me right now as well. My work is done on my Mac. I use iOS for focused tasks that can be completed by one app. I transfer stuff between apps sometimes, but generally if I have a more complex task it's quicker to just open my Mac. If I was able to use an iPad for what I do, maybe I'd find it useful there.

In a perfect world where Siri wasn't terrible and it was connected to Workflow, we could say something like, "Siri, translate this PDF into French and send that in an email to Julie at Apple" and it would chain together its own workflow to try to act on requests. That would be very compelling, but I fear we're a long way away from that day.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrGimper Avatar
97 months ago
That's pretty much me right now as well. My work is done on my Mac. I use iOS for focused tasks that can be completed by one app. I transfer stuff between apps sometimes, but generally if I have a more complex task it's quicker to just open my Mac. If I was able to use an iPad for what I do, maybe I'd find it useful there.

In a perfect world where Siri wasn't terrible and it was connected to Workflow, we could say something like, "Siri, translate this PDF into French and send that in an email to Julie at Apple" and it would chain together its own workflow to try to act on requests. That would be very compelling, but I fear we're a long way away from that day.
"Here's a list of french paedophiles called Julie who like Apples I found on the web", replies Siri.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apple_Robert Avatar
97 months ago
I need to spend some quality time with this app. It is very intriguing.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
smirking Avatar
97 months ago
I dunno, I guess I’ll just never get Workflow to work in my “workflow” and probably because I use iOS as little as I can.
I completely concur. I had Workflow on my phone for like three years and I finally accepted that I'd never find a practical use for it and deleted it last year. If I'm doing something that requires a complex workflow, I'll pull out my laptop. My idea of workflow on an iOS device, is limited to "swipe, tap, press."
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Golden Apple Logo

Every Apple Secret That Leaked Wednesday

Thursday August 14, 2025 4:13 am PDT by
Apple made a major slip Wednesday when it accidentally included hardware identifiers in software code linking to numerous unannounced products. The leaked information provided MacRumors with concrete evidence of Apple's hardware development across multiple product categories. Here's everything that was confirmed through the code discoveries: New HomePod mini with updated chip – New...
Home Hub Command Center with Dome Base Feature

Apple Working on All-New Operating System

Saturday August 16, 2025 6:45 am PDT by
Apple is developing an all-new operating system codenamed "Charismatic," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. Apple smart home hub concept This is likely Apple's long-rumored "homeOS" operating system. In a report this week, Gurman said both Apple's rumored smart home hub in 2026 and tabletop robot in 2027 will run the new operating system. He said the software platform will blend...
iPhone 17 Pro 3 4ths Perspective Aluminum Camera Module 1

Alleged iPhone 17 Pro Chassis Offers First Look at All-Aluminum Body

Thursday August 14, 2025 3:40 am PDT by
An alleged iPhone 17 Pro production leak may provide a first look at the device's milled all-aluminum chassis, which this year includes the camera bump – in contrast to last year's iPhone 16 Pro model that features a glass camera module attached to an all-glass back panel. Originally shared by leaker Majin Bu, the image below could be of a moulding, but it still lines up with rumors that...
iPhone 17 Pro in Hand Feature Lowgo

iPhone 17 Pro Max's Internal Design With Metal Battery Allegedly Leaks

Friday August 15, 2025 9:13 am PDT by
Alleged images of the iPhone 17 Pro Max's internal design have surfaced, offering a potential look inside the device before it is announced by Apple next month. The images were shared by the account "yeux1122" this week, in a blog post on the Korean platform Naver. The account aggregates Apple rumors and leaks, so it is likely not the original source of the images, and it is unclear if they...
Apple TV 2025 Thumb 2

New Apple TV Coming Later This Year With A17 Pro Chip

Wednesday August 13, 2025 5:29 pm PDT by
Rumors suggest that Apple is working on an updated version of the Apple TV that's slated for launch later this year. Information about the upcoming device that was found in Apple code indicates that it will be equipped with the A17 Pro chip. There have been multiple rumors about a new Apple TV coming in 2025 with a new A-series processor, but it hasn't been clear which chip Apple would use...
iPhone 17 Pro Dark Blue and Orange

iPhone 17 Pro to Start at $1,049 With Doubled Base Storage

Wednesday August 13, 2025 1:45 am PDT by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 17 Pro will have a starting price that is $50 more than the iPhone 16 Pro but it will come with a minimum 256GB of storage, doubling the base capacity compared to last year's model. The information comes from Chinese leaker Instant Digital, posting on Weibo. The account, which has 1.5 million followers, has now made the claim three separate times in recent weeks....
iPhone 17 Pro Feature Dual

When Will Apple Announce the iPhone 17 Event?

Tuesday August 12, 2025 12:46 pm PDT by
It is now mid-August, meaning that Apple's annual iPhone event is just around the corner. This year, Apple is expected to unveil the iPhone 17, the all-new iPhone 17 Air, the iPhone 17 Pro, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max. Here are some of the key rumors for those devices:iPhone 17: Same design as iPhone 16, but with an A19 chip, a larger 6.3-inch display, an upgraded 24-megapixel front camera, ...
Generic iOS 18

Apple Says iOS 18.6.1 is Coming Today

Thursday August 14, 2025 7:29 am PDT by
In case you missed it — this is the post for people who mainly only read headlines — Apple has announced that it will be releasing iOS 18.6.1 and watchOS 11.6.1 later today. Apple shared this information in a press release on its Newsroom website. The software updates will re-enable the Blood Oxygen feature on Apple Watch Series 9, Series 10, and Ultra 2 models sold in the United States....
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Complications

Apple Watch Reportedly Set to Receive 'Significant Redesign' Next Year

Friday August 15, 2025 1:31 pm PDT by
At least one new Apple Watch model launching next year will feature a "significant redesign," according to Taiwanese supply chain publication DigiTimes. In a paywalled report this week, citing supply chain insiders, DigiTimes claimed that a high-end 2026 Apple Watch model will feature "exterior design" changes, including but not limited to "eight sensors arranged in a ring pattern visible...