iOS Feature: Personal Automations

Shortcuts can be set up to run as Personal Automations based off a series of time, location, device, and contextual triggers.

Shortcuts set as Automations work by default by Asking Before Running – they are in effect notifications that a trigger has been met, after which you can confirm that you want your shortcut to run.

To make an Automation shortcut work in the background without confirmation, the trigger must be one of the set that includes a “Don’t Ask When Running” toggle – those options include everything except Location, Bluetooth, and WiFi automations.

When a shortcut doesn’t ask before running, it will kick off when the trigger is met and your shortcut runs right away – any menus or prompts will show immediately, and/or if your device isn’t on they may fail if designed to ask for input.