shortcuts iconThe Shortcuts app, introduced in iOS 12, is designed to allow iOS users to create multi-step shortcuts and automations using both first and third-party apps, with the shortcuts able to be activated using Siri commands.

‌Siri‌ isn't the only way to launch shortcuts outside of the Shortcuts app. In addition, Apple provides a Shortcuts widget for quickly launching actions, but you can also put them on your Home screen for even quicker access, just like a normal app.

The only thing to bear in mind is that some shortcuts aren't really suitable for accessing from the Home screen, and are made to be launched through apps. We're using Federico Viticci's excellent Frames shortcut for framing screenshots, however, which works fine. Here's how it's done.

  1. Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap the ellipsis button (the three dots) in the corner of the shortcut that you want to add to your Home screen.
    shortcuts

  3. On the next screen, tap the ellipsis button in the upper-right corner once again.
  4. There are a few options on this menu, but our focus is on the top half of the screen. To rename the shortcut, tap its name. You can also give it a distinctive icon by tapping the current icon and selecting a custom color and glyph. In the next screen, you can also select a photo or a different icon for your shortcut.
  5. When you're done, tap Add to Home Screen.
    shortcuts

  6. If you tap the smaller preview icon on the the next screen, options will appear to Take Photo, Choose Photo, and Choose File.
  7. When you're happy, tap Add in the top-right corner of the screen.
    shortcuts

Your shortcut should now appear on your Home screen, ready to be used at a tap.

Popular Stories

iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Thursday January 15, 2026 10:56 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another eight months, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Below, we have recapped 12 features rumored for the iPhone 18 Pro models, as of January 2026: The same overall design is expected, with 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes, and a "plateau" housing three rear cameras Under-screen Face ID...
iPhone Top Left Hole Punch Face ID Feature Purple

New Leak Reveals iPhone 18 Pro Display Sizes, Under-Screen Face ID, and More

Wednesday January 14, 2026 7:09 am PST by
While the iPhone 18 Pro models are still around eight months away, a leaker has shared some alleged details about the devices. In a post on Chinese social media platform Weibo this week, the account Digital Chat Station said the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max will have the same 6.3-inch and 6.9-inch display sizes as the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max. Consistent with previous...
Verizon New

Verizon is Down: iPhones Show 'SOS' Mode Due to Network Outage [Resolved]

Wednesday January 14, 2026 10:18 am PST by
Verizon is experiencing a major outage across the U.S. today, with hundreds of thousands of customers reporting issues with the network on the website Downdetector. There are also complaints across Reddit and other social media platforms. iPhone users and others with Verizon service are generally unable to make phone calls, send text messages, or use data over 5G or LTE due to the outage....
2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for iPhones, Macs, and More

Thursday January 15, 2026 11:19 am PST by
Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the United States, according to the company's website. Most of the values declined slightly, but some of the Mac values increased. iPhone ...
maxresdefault

Google Gemini-Powered Siri Will Reportedly Have These 7 New Features

Tuesday January 13, 2026 7:52 pm PST by
Apple and Google this week announced that Gemini will help power a more personalized Siri, and The Information has provided more details. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. As soon as this spring, the report said the revamped version of Siri will be able to… Answer more factual/world knowledge questions in a conversational manner Tell more stories Provide...