Shortcuts is a free app for iOS and iPadOS devices that runs complicated tasks. It’s a great app, so why isn’t there a Mac version?
Shortcuts can be downloaded or you can create your own. Each function the app supports is an action that performs a specific task and multiple actions can be combined into one task. You can start from hundreds of examples in the Gallery or drag and drop to create your own.
Shortcuts includes over 300 built-in actions and works with such apps as Contacts, Calendar, Maps, Music, Photos, Camera, Reminders, Safari, Health as well as any app that supports Siri Shortcuts.
Shortcuts opens up lots of possibilities to automate things you do regularly on your iPhone and iPad. Mac users need it, too, since the company has apparently lost interest in its AppleScript and Automator scripting solutions. In November 2016 Sal Soghoian’s position as product manager of Automation Technologies at Apple was terminated after nearly 20 years at the company.
AppleScript is a scripting language created by Apple and built into the Classic Mac OS since System 7 and into all versions of macOS. Automator is an application developed by Apple for macOS that implements point-and-click (or drag and drop) creation of workflows for automating repetitive tasks into batches for quicker alteration
Craig Federighi, Apple’s senior vice president of Software Engineering, said in March 2017 that “we have every intent to continue our support for great automation technologies in macOS.” However, “continue to support” isn’t the same thing as “continuing to develop.” That’s why we need the macOS version of Shortcuts.
