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With iOS 26, Apple is bringing new AI features to iPhone, iPad, and Mac. The Shortcuts app has been significantly redesigned, now using Apple Intelligence models. This means you can now automate, analyze, or create creative tasks—powered by AI directly on your device or via the cloud.
Shortcuts have been an integral part of iOS for years, but until now they were primarily intended for simple automations. With iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 Tahoe, they become significantly more powerful. Apple has integrated so-called models – AI systems that can analyze text, answer questions, or generate content. You don't need any programming knowledge to use them. Everything runs in a new user interface that gives you access to local models, cloud models, or ChatGPT. iOS 26 is currently still in beta, so the app will continue to change until its official release. However, the basic functions are already fixed.
Pre-installed shortcuts with Apple Intelligence in iOS 26
In the Shortcuts app gallery, you'll find a number of pre-built shortcuts that you can use right away. They also serve as examples of what's possible with Apple Intelligence.
Morning overview
Summarizes your upcoming day. This shortcut accesses your calendar, weather, and reminders to create a compact daily preview.
To-do list from the meeting notes
Analyzes meeting notes and automatically filters tasks and to-dos. For example, you can insert a meeting transcript, and the shortcut creates a list of action items.
Haiku
Generate a haiku—a short poem—on a topic of your choice. The focus is on entertainment and creativity.
Recycling leftovers
You enter what you have in your fridge, and you'll get a recipe that can be prepared using those ingredients. The AI suggests creative solutions.
Combine PDF
Works with PDFs opened in Safari. The shortcut analyzes the content and creates a summary of the key points.
Is The Morning Show Season 3 out yet?
Ask questions about releases or other facts. The AI checks available sources to see if, for example, a new season of a series has already been released.
ASCII art
Generates simple images and patterns from ASCII characters. More of a toy, but technically interesting.
Document review
Compares two texts or documents and shows you where the differences exist. Useful for revising contracts or versions.
Memory Roulette
Randomly postpones an unimportant reminder to a later time. So you don't have to decide what can wait.
First steps with language models
A tutorial shortcut that explains how to use custom models. Includes examples and configuration notes.
Create your own shortcuts with Apple Intelligence
In addition to the pre-built shortcuts, you can create your own. There's a new section in the app called "Apple Intelligence." Here, you decide which model to use:
- Device model (runs locally, without internet connection)
- Cloud model via private cloud compute (data protection friendly)
- ChatGPT (integrated into the system, usable if required)
The next step opens an input field. You can freely formulate whatever you want here. For example: "Summarize my appointments and the weather and compose a message for my colleagues." Apple Intelligence then combines system data with your input and executes the task. You can also combine traditional functions with AI models. For example, you can drag weather data, calendar information, and reminders into a shortcut and have it automatically generate a daily schedule. Or you can enter a long text and have it create a list, summary, or alternative version.
Writing tools in the new Shortcuts app
Another area is the text tools that you can use to edit content:
- Adjust tone (e.g. more formal or more relaxed)
- Correct grammar and spelling
- Create lists from continuous text
- Rephrase or shorten texts
These tools work directly with the text field in the shortcut and can also be combined. For example, you can first analyze an email draft, then simplify it, and finally have it put into a friendly tone.
What you can expect from the beta version
iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS 26 Tahoe are currently still in beta, so the new Shortcuts app isn't final. Apple continues to test and will add new features or adapt existing ones over time. What's already clear: With Apple Intelligence, Shortcuts will become significantly more versatile, creative, and useful. You can perform simple automations, complex data analyses, and creative tasks with the same app. If you're already using Shortcuts, you'll get a real upgrade in iOS 26. And if you're new to the app, now's a great time to familiarize yourself with the app. Looking for new accessories? Visit our Amazon Storefront – there you'll find a variety of products from leading manufacturers, including products for HomeKit and more! (Image: Shutterstock / sdx15)
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