With the arrival of iOS 27, the Shortcuts app takes a giant leap forward. Designed to automate actions on the iPhone, the app has always been perceived as intimidating by casual users. Now, thanks to deep integration with Apple Intelligence, creating and managing shortcuts becomes accessible to everyone. Simply describe what you want in natural language, and the AI handles translating words into working commands.
Describe a Shortcut: the heart of the new interface
When you tap the "New Shortcut" button, the "Describe a Shortcut" interface appears. A text box invites you to explain, in plain English, the automation you desire. You can start with a single step, like "Set tomorrow's alarm to 7 AM," or add multiple parameters. Apple Intelligence automatically selects the correct actions, creates the automations, and assembles the complete shortcut. Here are a few examples that work out of the box: "Every evening, set tomorrow's alarm based on my first Calendar event, turn on Sleep Focus, and dim the bedroom lights." Or: "Every morning, show me my first meeting, today's weather, and my due Reminders." You can even ask: "When I open YouTube, turn off orientation lock; turn it back on when I close the app."
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Refinements and live modifications
After dictating the shortcut, the app lists every action it will perform. If everything matches your expectations, you can tap play to test it and then add it to your personal shortcuts. If you want to tweak the result, use the "Describe a change" interface. Type what you want to modify, and Apple Intelligence applies corrections, iterating until the behavior is exactly as desired. For power users, manual editing mode is always available, allowing direct intervention on the scripts or addition of more complex actions without going through the AI.
New automation triggers for extreme customization
iOS 27 introduces brand new triggers that expand automation possibilities. Shortcuts can now activate when a notification is received, when a screenshot is captured, when a keyboard is connected, or when an Apple Watch workout starts. Additionally, Apple has added numerous new actions, including automated recording in Notes, sending messages to group conversations, deleting conversations in Messages, searching within the Messages app, auto-enhancing photos, and managing albums and memories. Reminders also receive new actions: create groups, sections, and delete lists.
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Improved Apple Intelligence models and web search
Shortcuts can now leverage more powerful Apple Intelligence models with access to world knowledge. Three tiers exist: Cloud, Cloud Pro, and on-device. Cloud Pro can search the web, ideal for queries requiring up-to-date information. This means a shortcut can ask "Summarize today's tech news" and get results based on live search. Moreover, shortcuts can store and update data, such as adding items to a list or keeping a tally.
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Cross-platform availability and requirements
The "Describe a Shortcut" feature is available on iOS 27, iPadOS 27, and macOS Golden Gate. It requires a device compatible with Apple Intelligence: iPhone 15 Pro and later, iPads with M-series chip or iPad mini with A17 Pro, and Macs with Apple silicon. Multiple languages are supported, including English, Italian, French, German, and many others. With these innovations, the Shortcuts app sheds its intimidating aura and becomes a powerful tool accessible to everyone.
To further explore the impact of AI on our digital habits, read about how GPT-5.5 Instant makes ChatGPT more conversational. Also, the latest Apple hardware pricing trends are covered in iPhone 18 Pro and Foldable iPhone to Cost More. For an overview of Apple Intelligence, check the Wikipedia page.
