Apple first introduced the Shortcuts app in iOS 12, which provides the ability to use shortcuts seamlessly on iPhone and iPad. Sure, there was the Workflows app before it, but Shortcuts is outstanding at running simple and complex task sequences without any hassle. It is also integrated with Siri which makes using Shortcuts even better.
The Shortcuts app comes with a built-in, reviewed Gallery of shortcuts that you can add and start using right away. Accessibility, productivity, social networking, etc. There are many designed for Additionally, you can create your shortcuts, provided you take the time to understand the various nuances associated with the actions that compose them.
However, there are also shortcuts that you can download from various sources online. However, the Shortcuts app marks them as ‘untrusted shortcuts’ and refuses to add the shortcuts to your library. Of course, you can allow untrusted shortcuts to run on your iPhone or iPad. But should you?
http://What are Untrusted Shortcuts?
The Shortcuts app allows you to share the shortcuts you create with others. Similarly, you can download shortcuts created by others from shared iCloud links or from various shortcut galleries you come across online (ShortcutsGallery, ShareShortcuts, etc.). But Apple has no way of specifying the security of third-party shortcuts, so the Shortcuts app prevents you from adding them to your library by design.
For example, a shortcut claiming to convert photos to other formats could forward images elsewhere, compromising your privacy. Therefore, when you try to add one from outside the Shortcuts app, you’ll see a “Can’t Open” warning along with a long message ending in “… untrusted shortcuts”. This happens regardless of how secure a shortcut is in practice.
Enabling Untrusted Shortcuts
However, you can have the Shortcuts app easily add untrusted shortcuts. Start by opening the Settings app on your iPhone or iPad; Scroll down and tap Shortcuts.
You should then see a toggle labeled Allow Untrusted Shortcuts. Turn it on and then tap Allow at the confirmation prompt.
Enter your device password when prompted to enable untrusted shortcuts on the device.
You should add
Most ‘untrusted’ shortcuts are pretty safe, but there is always cause for concern. Before adding a shared iCloud shortcut or a shortcut from a third-party gallery, it’s wise to review the various actions and sequences that a shortcut creates. This is possible after tapping the link or button to get the shortcut; then on the Add Shortcut screen you will see a list of all actions and queues.
It’s best not to add the shortcut if anything looks suspicious (like in actions it doesn’t match the shortcut description) and you don’t want to risk your privacy or security. Otherwise, tap ‘Add Untrusted Shortcut’ to add it to your library.
Then you can start using the shortcut right away via the My Shortcuts tab of the Shortcuts app. If the shortcut is configured to work from within apps, you can also run it via the Share Sheet. You can even launch the shortcut from the Shortcuts widget in Today View or the Home screen (as of iOS 14 only).
It is also possible to review third-party shortcuts that you added earlier. On the My Shortcuts tab, tap the More icon (three dots) on a shortcut thumbnail to review the sequence of actions. If after reviewing the shortcut you decide you want to remove it, long-press the thumbnail and then tap Delete.
Missing Allow Untrusted Shortcuts Option
If you haven’t used at least one shortcut on your iPhone or iPad before, you may not see the Allow Untrusted Shortcuts option in the Settings app. This is a rather strange restriction that makes no sense.
Run any of the default shortcuts listed in the My Shortcuts tab of the Shortcuts app to make the Allow Untrusted Shortcuts option appear. If you don’t see any shortcuts there, switch to the Gallery tab, add a shortcut listed in it, and then run it.
After doing that, go to Settings > Shortcuts and you should see Allow Untrusted Shortcuts option in it.
Make your choice
Shortcuts provide an enhanced experience on your iPhone and iPad, and while the built-in Gallery has lots of great shortcuts, there are plenty of better and useful shortcuts you’ll come across online. Despite the rather scary ‘untrusted’ tag, third-party shortcuts are mostly harmless.
As long as you avoid adding shortcuts from sketchy-looking websites and review the action sequences before adding or running them, there’s no reason not to allow third-party shortcuts on your device. But if a shortcut doesn’t feel right to you, it’s best to skip it, especially if your iPhone or iPad contains sensitive data that you don’t want to compromise.
Next: Learn how to create a shortcut that converts JPG images to the space-saving HEIC format with this comprehensive tutorial.
