The latest system update incorporates Shortcuts more than 25 unprecedented actions and a series of improvements that enhance its everyday capabilities. The goal is clear: to enable anyone to orchestrate complex tasks with fewer steps and less hassle, from their iPhone or iPad and seamlessly across their Mac.
In addition to new features, they arrive automations powered by language models and the possibility of integrating responses generated by Apple Intelligence or ChatGPT within the workflows themselves. All of this is accompanied by performance adjustments and additional options that fine-tune both personal and professional use.
What changes in Shortcuts with iOS 26
The big leap is in the variety: Apple is expanding Shortcuts with ready-to-use blocks in system apps and creative features. In practice, this translates to More actions, more contexts, and less friction by building automations without writing code.
The addition of the "Use template or model" action allows a flow to call Apple Intelligence or ChatGPT And use your exit as input for the next step, keeping the chain within Shortcuts. It's a direct gateway to AI features without leaving the app.
Shortcuts also gains depth in specific areas —messaging ( Use polls in Messages ), photos, weather or productivity—, so it is possible search, filter, rename, or create content with greater accuracy and less manual intervention.
List of new actions
Among the most notable additions, Apple details a list of actions by category. Below is a review of those already available in iOS 26. grouped for quick location in your Shortcuts library:
- Freeform: add files or items to the board.
- Image Playground: create an image from a prompt or variations.
- Email: search for an email message.
- Measurements: utilities of the measurement system.
- Messages: search for a message; find a specific conversation.
- Photos: rename an album; search for photos; create a new memory; filter the library.
- Reminders: Show a quick reminder.
- Screen Time: Obtain usage data for apps and websites.
- Sports: Get upcoming sporting events.
- Bag: add a symbol to the watchlist; remove a symbol from the list.
- Use template or model: access Apple Intelligence or ChatGPT templates and inject the response into the flow.
- Visual Intelligence: Open Visual Intelligence for image analysis.
- Voice notes: search for a voice recording.
- Weather (meteorology): add location to list; remove locations from list.
- Writing tools: adjust text tone; convert text to a list; create a table from text; review text; rewrite text; summarize text.
With these pieces, it's easier to build one- or two-touch workflows that previously required several manual steps. Think, for example, of find a conversation and extract key data to save them in Notes or send them by email in a predefined format.
Improvements to existing actions
Not everything is completely new: part of the update reinforces actions that were already there but now They are more capable and precise in real-life scenarios.
- Calculate expression: evaluates expressions with units, including real-time currency conversions, temperature, distance, and more.
- Create QR code: allows you to define colors and styles.
- Date: adds the option to specify holidays.
- Search for contacts: new filter by relationship.
- Audio transcription: improved performance and reliability.
- Show content: Displays drop-down or scrollable lists of items such as Calendar events or Reminders.
These improvements reduce the need for workarounds in complex workflows and help Shortcuts behave more consistently between iPhone, iPad and Mac.
Automation on Mac and other new features
The expansion of Shortcuts isn't limited to iOS: with macOS Tahoe, Apple details new options for desktop automation, plus Updated glyphs and additional adjustments to better organize your shortcuts.
If you work in mixed environments, you can start processes on the iPhone and continue them on the Mac, integrating AI outputs, system actions and app controls more smoothly than before.
Ideas for practical use in Spain and Europe
The new actions fit well with local routines; if you know some iOS 26 tricksFor example, with Sports you can create an ad for upcoming matches or events and combine it with "The weather" to take an umbrella if the forecast suggests it.
In terms of productivity, writing tools allow summarize long texts or adjust the tone before sending a work email, and with Photos it is possible to generate a "memory" of a trip and rename the album in a single flow.
It's also useful for digital family monitoring: Usage time offers activity data by apps and sitesSomething that, integrated into a weekly shortcut, makes it easier to review habits and agree on limits.
Privacy, requirements and availability
Some model-based functions require enabling AI or connectivity options when invoking a third-party provider. It's advisable to review your system settings and, if applicable, the data processing policies before incorporating those outputs into your flows.
The availability of certain features may vary by region and device. In Spain and the rest of Europe, it's advisable to check. Reviews of iOS 26 and Apple's official documentation to confirm which actions are operational on each device.
With this expansion, Shortcuts now covers more cases without complicating things: new actions in key areas, improvements to existing features, and a bridge to AI that doesn't disrupt workflow. For those already using automation, there are compelling reasons to updateFor those starting out, it's a great time to build simple, time-saving routines from day one.
