Streamlined Solopreneur: Automate Your Business, Take Time Off Worry-Free

An Introduction to Apple’s Shortcuts with Stephen Robles

Feb 24, 2025

Stephen Robles, a YouTuber and podcaster specializing in Apple Shortcuts, dives into the game-changing world of app automation. He reveals how Shortcuts can tackle repetitive tasks and enhance iPhone functionality. Stephen shares impressive ideas like automating smart home devices and formatting podcast notes effortlessly. They discuss the versatility of the Action Button for multiple shortcuts and the evolution of Home Automation setups. If you’re looking to streamline your tech life, this conversation is packed with tips to make your devices work smarter!

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INSIGHT

Shortcuts Is Extremely Versatile

Shortcuts runs on iPhone, iPad, and Mac and can automate tasks from simple toggles to complex API-driven flows.
Stephen Robles uses it to format podcast show notes and create reminders with movie links automatically.

INSIGHT

Mac Shortcuts Still Limited

Shortcuts on Mac lags behind iPhone/iPad: automations like 'when I leave home' are missing on macOS.
Apple Intelligence and upcoming iOS updates may let apps expose shortcut actions and expand capabilities soon.

ADVICE

Automate Your Biggest Friction First

Start with automating one repetitive friction point on your phone, like unlocking orientation for Photos or muting volume when opening social apps.
Build simple automations first and expand into text tools like a shared word-count shortcut.

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I’ve been talking a lot about automation this year, and one tool that keeps coming up is Apple’s Shortcuts app. So I brought in Stephen Robles, a YouTuber and podcaster who’s been using Shortcuts since it was called Workflows before Apple bought it.

We get into what Shortcuts actually does, and how you can use it to automate repetitive tasks, eliminate friction, and make your iPhone way more useful. Stephen also shares some incredible automation ideas, from formatting podcast show notes to controlling smart home devices.

If you’ve ever thought, I wish my phone just did this for me, there’s a good chance Shortcuts can make that happen.

For all of the links mentioned in this episode, go to https://streamlined.fm/462

Top Takeaways

Shortcuts can automate almost anything. Whether it’s formatting text, logging data, or running workflows with a tap, it’s a game-changer.
The Action Button takes it further. You can assign multiple shortcuts to one button press, making it even more versatile.
Home automation can be super smart. Stephen shares how his smart shades close when he turns on the bathroom fan and how his patio fans activate when it gets hot.

Show Notes

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Streamlined Solopreneur is the podcast for solopreneurs who want to automate their business and take time off worry-free. Each week, Joe Casabona shares practical systems, tools, and strategies to help you reclaim your time and run your business without sacrificing your the rest of your life, or your health.

Start with the free Solopreneur Sweep — a step-by-step method for finding where your business is losing time: https://streamlined.fm/sweep

If this episode helped you, leaving a review on Apple Podcasts helps other solopreneurs find the show — it only takes a minute and means a lot.

Connect with Joe on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcasabona/