How to make a shortcut run only during certain times of the day?

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Level 1

5 points

How to make a shortcut run only during certain times of the day?

I am currently running a shortcut on my phone (iOS 16.5) that turns on Smart Invert when I open a particular app that does not support Dark Mode and turns it back off when I leave the app. However, I would like this to only occur in the evenings. The “if” component only seems to support certain times with a date attached, but it obviously isn’t reasonable to expect someone to edit the shortcut every single day to change it to the next day. Is there any way to make it so that the shortcut only triggers if it’s between a certain time of day?

iPhone 12 Pro

Posted on Jun 19, 2023 5:54 AM

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Answer 1

pjswiz

Level 5

5,506 points

Jun 19, 2023 6:04 AM in response to rileyjc90

Hello rileyjc90,

If you click on the Automation tab at the bottom of the Shortcuts app, then click on the plus sign and select Create Personal Automation, you can schedule an automation to go off at a certain time of the day. I'd assume you'd want to maybe set it to run at Sunset, but you can also specify a time of day if you prefer that method!

You would have to create two personal automations, one to turn it on and another to turn it off.

I hope this helps!

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Answer 2

rileyjc90 Author

Level 1

5 points

Jun 19, 2023 5:51 PM in response to pjswiz

Thanks for the reply! I tried out this method but the issue is that all I can do is schedule it to occur. I open the app at random times all throughout the day. The difference here is that when I open the app in the evening I’d like it to smart invert. When I open it during the day, I want it to remain normal. Basically, the opening of the app is user-controlled rather than being automated. It’s the shortcut utilizing the smart invert function that I want to turn on and off based on time of day, if that makes sense?

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How to make a shortcut run only during certain times of the day?

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