Introducing Shortcuts AI: an AI agent for your iPhone

Updated August 27, 2026.

The useful part of an AI assistant begins after the answer. A calendar event should end up in Calendar. A meeting recording should become notes and reminders. A message should be ready where you can review it and decide whether to send it.

Shortcuts AI was built for that last mile. It connects an AI model to Apple Shortcuts, giving the model a controlled way to take supported actions on your iPhone.

From request to finished action

Most AI chat starts and ends in a chat window. Shortcuts AI can continue the work through the apps and system features you already use.

Ask in ordinary language. Agent works out the steps, uses any enabled online tools it needs, and sends supported device actions back to Apple Shortcuts. Your iPhone then performs those actions with the permissions available on the device.

For example, you can ask Agent to:

• turn a shared event flyer into a Calendar entry;
• extract action items from a voice memo and add them to Reminders;
• research a topic, summarize the useful findings, and prepare an email;
• create or append a note from text, a link, an image, or a PDF; or
• ask a follow-up question when a date, recipient, or other important detail is missing.

The documentation explains the full request and action loop.

One shortcut, no separate app

Shortcuts AI runs through Apple's Shortcuts app. You add the shared Agent shortcut, paste the setup key provided by Shortcuts AI, and run your first request. There is no separate Shortcuts AI app to download and no automation syntax to learn.

Your Agent settings live on the web, so you can change its behavior without rebuilding or reinstalling the shortcut.

Follow the setup guide when you are ready to add Agent to your iPhone.

Start where the task starts

You do not have to begin from one fixed screen. Run Agent by tapping it in Shortcuts, asking Siri, using the Share Sheet, assigning it to an Action Button, or adding it to a Home Screen widget.

The Share Sheet is especially useful because the item in front of you can become part of the request. Share a PDF, photo, link, email, message, or audio file, then say what outcome you want.

Every entry point uses the same Agent settings. See each way to start Agent.

Your Agent, your rules

Useful automation needs limits as much as it needs capabilities. Shortcuts AI gives you three direct controls:

• Instructions hold recurring preferences and rules, such as which calendar to use or when to ask before communicating.
• Model settings let you choose the AI model and adjust supported reasoning or response controls.
• Tools determine which online abilities and device actions Agent may consider.

Change any of them in Settings. The Agent shortcut stays the same. Learn how to customize Agent.

You stay in control of device access

Shortcuts AI does not receive unrestricted access to the apps on your iPhone. Agent works with the content you submit, the context the shortcut sends for that request, and the results returned by enabled tools.

Apple Shortcuts and the relevant app control device permissions. Your iPhone may ask for access the first time Agent uses Calendar, Reminders, Photos, Contacts, Location, or another protected feature. You decide whether to allow it.

You can also disable a tool at any time. For communication workflows, your Instructions can require Agent to show a draft or ask before sending.

Put one real task through it

The quickest way to understand Shortcuts AI is to give it a small job that normally makes you switch between apps. Start with a reminder, a note, or an event. Then try a request that combines two or three steps.

Set up Shortcuts AI, browse the everyday examples, or read the usage pricing guide.

Questions or setup problems can be sent to support@getshortcuts.ai.