Bold takeaway: iOS 26 turns Shortcuts into a powerhouse, adding 25+ new actions and bringing smarter automation to Mac alongside iPhone refinements. But here’s where it gets controversial: not every user will feel the need for this much automation, while power users will likely view it as a game changer. And this is the part most people miss: the real win is how these actions unlock cross-device workflows that weren’t feasible before, not just new features on a single device.
Overview
When iOS 26 arrived, the Shortcuts app received a substantial upgrade, expanding capabilities with more than 25 fresh actions. Apple also introduced broader automation potential across Macs, thanks to new large language model–driven actions. In addition, a thorough list of changes was published by Apple, signaling a move toward deeper customization and smarter automation.
New Shortcuts actions in iOS 26
Freeform
- Add Files to Board
Image Playground
- Create Image
Mail
- Find Message
Measure
- Launch Measure
Messages
- Find Message
- Find Conversation
Photos
- Rename Album
- Search Photos
- Create New Memory
- Filter Library
Reminders
- Show Quick Reminder
Screen Time
- Get App & Website Data
Sports
- Get Upcoming Sports Events
Stocks
- Delete Symbol from Watchlist
- Add Symbol to Watchlist
Use Model
- Use Model (tap into Apple Intelligence models or ChatGPT and feed responses into shortcuts)
Visual Intelligence
- Open Visual Intelligence
Voice Memos
- Find Voice Recording
Weather
- Add Location to List
- Remove Locations from List
Writing Tools
- Adjust Tone of Text
- Make List from Text
- Make Table from Text
- Proofread Text
- Rewrite Text
- Summarize Text
Improvements to existing actions
- Calculate Expression can now evaluate expressions with units, real-time currency rates, temperatures, distances, and more
- Create QR Code supports color and styling customization
- Date can specify a holiday
- Find Contacts can filter by relationship
- Transcribe Audio performance improved
- Show Content can display scrollable lists (e.g., calendar events, reminders)
Additional context
Apple also highlights broader updates across iOS 26, iPadOS 26, and macOS Tahoe, including new glyphs, settings, and a detailed breakdown of Mac automation features in the official support document. These enhancements collectively push Shortcuts toward more robust, cross-device automation workflows.
What this means for you
- If you’re a casual user, expect more guided automation options that can save time in everyday tasks.
- If you’re a power user, these new actions unlock deeper customization and cross-device orchestration that can dramatically streamline complex workflows.
Community note and prompt for discussion
Which new Shortcuts feature in iOS 26 are you finding most useful, and why? Do you see yourself building cross-device automations to replace repetitive tasks, or do you prefer keeping automation lightweight? Share your experiences and any creative uses in the comments.
