Shortcut Frustrations: Taming the Notification Monster in iOS 16
Ah, Shortcuts. The land of automation magic, where a few taps can transform your iPhone into a productivity powerhouse. But sometimes, even magic comes with a pesky sidekick: the never-ending notification. You tap your custom Netflix icon, expecting instant streaming bliss, but instead, you're greeted by a notification saying, "Hey, guess what? You just ran a shortcut!" Seriously, Shortcuts, we get it. You're Mary Poppins with a tech bag, but can we silence the chimney sweep song already?
Fear not, fellow shortcut enthusiasts! There are ways to wrangle this notification beast. Let's explore a few options, from the simple to the slightly…out there.
Turning Off Notifications for Individual Automations: The Opt-Out Option
- This is the Siri-approved method. Head into the Shortcuts app, tap the Automations tab, and select the culprit automation. Look for the "Notify When Run" toggle and flick it off with the grace of a Jedi turning off their lightsaber (minus the dramatic whooshing sound, hopefully). This works like a charm for individual automations, but what if you're dealing with a notification army?
Shhh! It's a Secret: The "Ask Before Running" Whisperer
- This method involves a little pre-shortcut permission dance. Imagine your phone politely raising an eyebrow and saying, "Are you sure you want to unleash the Netflix shortcut?" Head back to your chosen automation, tap the three dots menu, and select "Ask Before Running". While this doesn't eliminate the notification entirely, it does minimize the surprise factor. Bonus points if you name your automation something dramatic, like "Prepare for Launch Sequence" to make the permission request even more thrilling!
The "Screen Time" Shuffle: Outsmarting the System (Maybe)
- This one's a bit of a gamble, but some users report success. Think of it as a magic trick, with your phone as the slightly bewildered audience. Head into Settings > Screen Time (if you haven't enabled it yet, this might be a good time to start). After navigating the labyrinth of screen time options, look for "See All Activity". Now, here's the tricky part: some users report that Shortcuts might not be readily tappable in the notification list. There have been rumors of a magical time travel technique involving setting a future date and then rapidly switching back, but let's just say it involves more taps than you might expect. If you manage to tap on Shortcuts and disable notifications, you might have outsmarted the system. But be warned, this method borders on sorcery, and the success rate is a bit of a mystery.
The Final Resort: Embrace the Notification (or Just Hide Your Shortcuts)
- Look, sometimes the notifications win. Maybe they're just lonely and crave a little attention. In this case, you have two options: embrace the notification absurdity and accept it as a quirky part of the shortcut experience, or relegate your shortcuts to a hidden folder. Out of sight, out of notification mind, right?
Remember, fellow shortcut tamers, there's no one-size-fits-all solution. Experiment, have fun, and don't be afraid to get a little silly. After all, isn't that what shortcuts are all about - making your phone life a little less ordinary?
