New for iOS 12: How to Create a Driving Directions Shortcut in the New Shortcuts App

* This article is from our Tip of the Day newsletter. . *

One of the iOS 12 features I've been eagerly awaiting is Apple's new Shortcuts app. This new app allows you to instruct Siri to accomplish a task or series of tasks with native and third-party apps, all triggered by a phrase of your own choosing. In addition to creating your own Shortcut, Apple's latest help app also lets you choose from a Gallery of pre-designed shortcuts. Let's get started learning how to find the Shortcuts app on iPhone and iPad, and then use the Gallery to install a Shortcut we all need from time to time: finding directions home. Once you've installed the driving directions Shortcut, you can choose and configure as many other Gallery Shortcuts as you need. We'll go over how to create your own Shortcut in a future tip.

Related: iOS 12: When Should I Update My iPhone & iPad?

iPhone Life
Discover your iPhone's hidden features
Get a daily tip (with screenshots and clear instructions) so you can master your iPhone in just one minute a day.

The first thing you'll need to do is download and the Shortcuts app from the App Store on your iPhone or iPad and then open it. To do this: 

  • Open the App Store app.
  • Type Shortcuts in the Search bar and tap Get to the right of the app icon and name to download it.
shortcuts
ios update
  • Once the app has downloaded, open the app in the App Store or from your Home screen.
  • The first time you open the app, you'll see a brief introduction to the app's features, tap Get Started to move on.
latest ios version
how to get shortcuts on iphone
  • A Library page will open; tap Gallery at the bottom of this page. Now you can choose from a selection of Shortcuts that Apple has already created; for this tip, I'll show you how I selected and installed the Directions Home Shortcut.
  • There are several categories in the Gallery; I scrolled down to Essentials, then scrolled left until I found Directions Home and tapped it.
ios shortcuts
directions
  • Now, tap Get Shortcut.
  • You'll be prompted to enter your home address, home city, and choose either Google Maps or Apple Maps as the maps app you'd prefer to use. Tap Continue after each entry, and Done at the end.
driving directions
maps and directions
  • You'll be brought back to the Shortcuts Gallery; tap Library at the bottom and you'll see your Directions Home shortcut. If you tap the Shortcut you'll enter the maps app you selected; just tap Go to start your route.
  • Now, any time you'd like Direction Home from anywhere you are that your maps app covers, all you'll have to do is summon Siri and say, "Directions Home." Your preferred maps app will open and begin the route to your house.
directions map
maps driving directions

If you get overwhelmed or end up with shortcuts that you no longer need, you can always delete them by following these steps.

Master your iPhone in one minute a day: Sign up here to get our FREE Tip of the Day delivered right to your inbox.

Topics

Author Details

Leanne Hays's picture

Author Details

Leanne Hays

Leanne Hays has over a dozen years of experience writing for online publications. As a Feature Writer for iPhone Life, she has authored hundreds of how-to, Apple news, and gear review articles, as well as a comprehensive Photos App guide. Leanne holds degrees in education and science and loves troubleshooting and repair. This combination makes her a perfect fit as manager of our Ask an Expert service, which helps iPhone Life Insiders with Apple hardware and software issues.
In off-work hours, Leanne is a mother of two, homesteader, audiobook fanatic, musician, and learning enthusiast.