These iPhone shortcuts minimize down on my terrible scrolling habit

Your iPhone can achieve this rather more than you may notice. Whether or not you could have one of many newest iPhones with Apple Intelligence or an older one which’s nonetheless operating 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 house together with your iPhone, you possibly can enable HomeKit automations and management your good gadgets from inside iOS.

From the totally different gadgets you possibly can ask your cellphone to maintain monitor of utilizing Discover My to your cellphone monitoring your entire actions within the Apple Health app, iOS has a ton of hidden data that is simply asking for use. Certainly one of finest methods to maneuver round your iPhone extra rapidly is through the use of Shortcuts. You may arrange faster processes in your iPhone that may assist you go about your day extra effectively. In case you all the time must convey up a sure app while you present as much as work in an effort to swipe into the constructing or one thing like that, you possibly can allow it to open while you arrive at a selected location.

Since I earn a living from home and am vulnerable to being at my desk for lengthy stretches of time, one in every of my vices is to scroll aimlessly on social media apps. I have to be higher at avoiding these, so I made a decision to ask my iPhone to assist me. Shortcuts had been the proper 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 executed

I am infamous for losing time on Instagram. I scroll and scroll, memes and movies till I do not even know the way 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 period. I’ll regularly 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 need to use your cellphone’s location-based automation to cease your self in your tracks. In Shortcuts > Automations, select Arrive, then kind in your workplace handle. From there, set a time vary (say, 8AM to 12PM) so you possibly can nonetheless take pleasure in your lunch break with out restrictions.

Remember to choose the motion you wish to set off. For instance, as an alternative of opening Instagram the second muscle reminiscence kicks in, your cellphone might 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 monitor.

3

Use a third-party app blocker in Shortcuts

My private favourite is The Brick

I’ve written extensively about my horrible traits with regards to scrolling. I simply cannot 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 mainly 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 establishing 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 every time I attempt to open up TikTok. This permits me to rapidly activate The Brick and lock up my cellphone from with the ability to use social media till I stand up and bodily contact it to the system. It is a faster means than having to stand up.

Lock your cellphone earlier than you need to use it

Loads of folks battle to go to mattress at an inexpensive hour as a result of they’re scrolling a lot. If that is you, you possibly can simply do one thing about it. Arrange the Shortcut to lock your cellphone when Wind Down begins. You may arrange Wind Down in your Apple Well being app underneath 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 possibly can arrange an Automation by tapping Sleep. It provides 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 possibly can’t really use the cellphone for a lot in any respect, aside 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 possibly can reward your self by tuning out the surface world with a Shortcut. You may 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, you can too set this as much as activate while you open up your Kindle, Apple Books, or Podcast apps.

You may go to Shortcuts > Automations > App > Is Opened > after which select which app you wish to set it for. You may choose a number of apps for any of those automations as nicely, so it is not only a one-for-one automation. As soon as you have chosen the apps, you possibly can select Take a Break, which is able to activate Do Not Disturb. It is a easy strategy to block out any distractions so you possibly can give attention to what you are doing.