These iPhone shortcuts minimize down on my terrible scrolling habit

Your iPhone can achieve this far more than you would possibly notice. Whether or not you have got one of many newest iPhones with Apple Intelligence or an older one which’s nonetheless working the latest version of iOS, there are possible options that you’ve got by no means even tried. For instance, if you have not arrange your good residence together with your iPhone, you’ll be able to enable HomeKit automations and management your good gadgets from inside iOS.

From the totally different gadgets you’ll be able to ask your cellphone to maintain observe of utilizing Discover My to your cellphone monitoring your whole actions within the Apple Health app, iOS has a ton of hidden info that is simply asking for use. One among finest methods to maneuver round your iPhone extra shortly is by utilizing Shortcuts. You possibly can arrange faster processes in your iPhone that may enable you to go about your day extra effectively. In case you all the time need to carry up a sure app while you present as much as work with a view to swipe into the constructing or one thing like that, you’ll be able to allow it to open while you arrive at a particular location.

Since I make money working from home and am susceptible to being at my desk for lengthy stretches of time, one among my vices is to scroll aimlessly on social media apps. I must be higher at avoiding these, so I made a decision to ask my iPhone to assist me. Shortcuts have been the right means to take action, as I arrange some automations to assist restrict my time doomscrolling.

1

Set a timer while you open a sure app

Give your self a countdown to while you’re finished

I am infamous for losing time on Instagram. I scroll and scroll, memes and movies till I do not even understand how lengthy I have been doing it. It is a unhealthy a part of my scrolling habit, and I wanted some assist. To ease myself into Shortcuts and automations, I began just by simply including a timer any time I opened Instagram.

It was easy to do as I opened up Shortcuts and tapped Automations. Then I chosen App and Is Opened. I selected Instagram after which Subsequent. Then I tapped Begin Timer, which is likely one of the preset choices in iOS. As soon as I open the app, it populates a timer for which I select a length. I’ll ceaselessly set it for 10 minutes so I can scroll for a short time earlier than the timer rings loudly.

2

Have your shortcuts kick into gear while you arrive someplace

Set it up inside Apple Maps

If work is your prime scrolling hazard zone, you should utilize your cellphone’s location-based automation to cease your self in your tracks. In Shortcuts > Automations, select Arrive, then sort in your workplace deal with. From there, set a time vary (say, 8AM to 12PM) so you’ll be able to nonetheless take pleasure in your lunch break with out restrictions.

Remember to select the motion you need to set off. For instance, as an alternative of opening Instagram the second muscle reminiscence kicks in, your cellphone may launch a productiveness app or notes web page the second you arrive. Consider it like giving your future self a digital nudge to remain on observe.

3

Use a third-party app blocker in Shortcuts

My private favourite is The Brick

I’ve written extensively about my horrible traits in the case of scrolling. I simply can’t be trusted to not stare at my cellphone, so I usually take the choice out of my palms. I reviewed The Brick, which is a tool that blocks you from using certain apps when it is enabled. It principally turns your cellphone right into a cellphone that may name, textual content, and e mail folks — and that is about it.

The best way to allow The Brick is by tapping your cellphone on it, such as you would a fee reader whereas utilizing Apple Pay. However I’ve gone as far as organising a Shortcut to open The Brick when I attempt to open social media apps. This limits my have to stroll over to The Brick and switch the settings on. In Shortcuts > Automations, I chosen an app, like TikTok. Then I added within the Automation of opening up The Brick app each time I attempt to open up TikTok. This permits me to shortly activate The Brick and lock up my cellphone from having the ability to use social media till I rise up and bodily contact it to the system. It is a faster means than having to rise up.

Lock your cellphone earlier than you should utilize it

Loads of folks battle to go to mattress at an affordable hour as a result of they’re scrolling a lot. If that is you, you’ll be able to simply do one thing about it. Arrange the Shortcut to lock your cellphone when Wind Down begins. You possibly can arrange Wind Down in your Apple Well being app below the Bedtime setting. This helps you go to mattress at a good hour and helps you wind down from a day.

If in case you have Wind Down and Bedtime set, you’ll be able to arrange an Automation by tapping Sleep. It offers you choices for When Wind Down Begins, Bedtime Begins, or Waking Up. In case you select When Wind Down Begins, and Run Instantly, you’ll faucet Subsequent after which search Lock Display. This can lock the display screen and kick you again out to your Lock Display, so you’ll be able to’t really use the cellphone for a lot in any respect, apart from seeing your widgets and the time.

Arrange break time together with your apps

In case you really feel such as you deserve a while to scroll, you’ll be able to reward your self by tuning out the skin world with a Shortcut. You possibly can put your self in Do Not Disturb mode to dam out any texts or messages from different folks, permitting you to scroll in peace. In fact, it’s also possible to set this as much as activate while you open up your Kindle, Apple Books, or Podcast apps.

You possibly can go to Shortcuts > Automations > App > Is Opened > after which select which app you need to set it for. You possibly can choose a number of apps for any of those automations as properly, so it is not only a one-for-one automation. As soon as you’ve got chosen the apps, you’ll be able to select Take a Break, which can activate Do Not Disturb. It is a easy technique to block out any distractions so you’ll be able to deal with what you are doing.