How to use iOS Shortcuts to block apps

March 18, 2023

iOS Shortcuts were introduced by Apple in iOS 13 that allow users to automate tasks on their iOS devices. Shortcuts are essentially a series of actions that you can string together to perform a specific task with a trigger, such as a single tap or voice command.

Using Shortcuts, you can create custom workflows that can be triggered by tapping an icon on your home screen or by asking Siri to perform a specific action.

In this guide, we'll show you how to leverage iOS Shortcuts to improve your productivity by blocking apps.

How to use Shortcuts to set a PIN to open an app

One way to block apps is using the iOS Shortcut.

To start, open the Shortcuts app and click on Shortcuts in the bottom left navigation.
Next, tap the plus icon in the top right, then Add Action > Scripting > Ask for Input > Number. Then, add the text PIN or password
Add an "If" condition. We want to select "Provided Input" "is" "{your desired PIN or Passcode}".
Then we want to add the action Open App and select your desired app. Make sure to place this action inside of the If block, so that it shows as slightly indented.
For slightly better user experience, let's alert you when the entered PIN is incorrect. We add an "Otherwise" statement with "Show Alert" and a message "Incorrect PIN". Now, we are ready to test out our shortcut! You can click the handy Play button in the bottom right to run the shortcut.

Now, even though we have this shortcut, you can still open your app from the home screen. We'll want to hide it.

To do this, tap and hold on the app icon until it starts to shake, then tap "Remove App" in the menu that shows up and "Remove from home screen" in the modal that shows up. This will hide the app from the home screen.
Then, go to Settings > Siri and Search and scroll down to find your app. We'll want to disable a few settings to make our block effective:

Show App in Search
Show on Home Screen
Suggest App
Suggestion Notifications

How to use Shortcuts Automations to block an app by force switching to another app

iOS Shortcut's Automation can also be used for productivity purposes. Behavior can be triggered via time, location, events, or invoking Siri through voice commands.

You can use Automation to trigger a behavior any time an app you are trying to reduce usage. One option is to go to home screen when a certain app is opened, optionally sending a notification to remind you to focus.

block-iOS-automation-logic.PNG

To start, open the Shortcuts app and click on Automation in the bottom navigation.
Tap the plus in the top right to create a new automation and select "Create Personal Automation"
Select App and select your desired apps to limit, and press Next
Click "Add Action" and click "Go to home screen", or alternatively, open a productivity app
(Optional) Click "Add Action" and add a notification with a motivational message!

Limitations of Shortcuts

In these two examples, we are able to use shortcuts to limit our usage of certain apps. However, knowledge of the shortcuts iOS app means that deleting an existing shortcut is as easy as adding one. For total control, we recommend reading up on our Ultimate guide to selecting a self-control app to find an app that can work best for you, whether it is through motivational content or through totally locking down your device.

More info on shortcuts

Shortcuts can be created from scratch, or you can choose from a variety of pre-built shortcuts available in the Shortcuts app or the Shortcuts Gallery. The Shortcuts Gallery features a wide range of popular and useful shortcuts created by other users that you can download and customize to your liking.

Overall, Shortcuts are a powerful and customizable feature of iOS that can help you save time and streamline your digital life. With a little bit of creativity, you can create custom workflows that can make your daily tasks easier and more efficient.

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