Apple shortcuts – automation – using the sunrise and sunset settings to send messages or create alerts

I am not able to create an actionable alert in automation using the sunrise and sunset option. For example, I created an alert to send me a message one hour before sunset but it doesn’t execute even though I have selected the option to execute automatically without asking what is the solution to this problem? Do I have to change any settings? The alerts do not work neither with iMessage Nor with WhatsApp. WhatsApp does not have any sort of face ID or password protection to open so it is not restricting sending messages if I take the same message and put in a specific time the message goes through be it iMessage or WhatsApp or any other messaging app that is supported by shortcuts. Please help


iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 16

Posted on Jul 1, 2023 4:11 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Jul 3, 2023 1:43 PM

deepak in Bhatinda wrote: "...where it takes the sunrise and sunset data from and whether we need to keep that enabled or the location enabled at all times or something..."

deepak ~ Is this set?...


Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services > Shortcuts > While Using the App


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14 replies

Jul 1, 2023 4:43 AM in response to deepak in Bhatinda

Hello deepak in Bhatinda,


I know you've stated that you have it set for sunrise and/or sunset and have also turned off Ask Before Running, but could you confirm? It might also help if you send screenshots of your automation and its settings! Feel free to change the message / receipted or obscure them for privacy reasons.




This is what I currently have, I will let you know the results one hour before sunset (which won't be for a bit)!



Another thing to try when creating a shortcut, is to click this little play icon at the bottom right of the Actions menu. This will allow you to verify the shortcut is working.


Jul 2, 2023 2:07 AM in response to pjswiz

The shortcut when run manually executes but the sunset setting doesn’t work

see the screenshots I took when it ran . I had already tried all the options you have mentioned. There is something to do with the sunrise and sunset correlation in terms of execution because we need to trace where it takes the sunrise and sunset data from and whether we need to keep that enabled or the location enabled at all times or something because the coding should be as follows - check location> open weather app> get sunrise time > etc

Jul 2, 2023 2:12 AM in response to deepak in Bhatinda

The issue might be because you're trying to call yourself. The animation should work, but calling yourself does absolutely nothing and may be breaking something. I'm also unfamiliar with that next action under Call.. What app is that from? What does it do? This could also be causing the problem.


For simple reminders like this, it may be easier just using the Reminders app as well!

Jul 3, 2023 1:34 PM in response to pjswiz

I’m not calling myself

I have all my numbers in my phone starting with my name

I’m calling another device and another phone number.

the other device is an android

samsung S23 ultra max which was released 3 months ago


if I set the action to execute at a particular time, the action executes flawlessly

when I use sunrise or sunset settings in the timing of the action it does not execute

the flaw lies in the automation app accessing the time when is sunrise or sunset and then executing action based on that


that is the main issue


there are two actions in this automation


one is send a text message

second is call the number


I use this automation with the exact combination all the time for preset specific times



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Apple shortcuts – automation – using the sunrise and sunset settings to send messages or create alerts

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