I would like to play audio files stored in a folder by using a short cut.
The followig short cut should do it (see screen shot).
Unfortunately the content of the file - for testing the folder does contain one audio file - is not but being played, only the default notification sound.
May be someone can give me a hint or advice.
Best regards
Device: iPad Pro 4th generation
iOS: current version
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
iPad Pro
Remove the “Get First Item…” action, link the Repeat action to the 1st action so that the repeat action is based on the files in the “Get file from…” action, then in the “Play Sound” action, choose the “Repeat Item” variable (instead of the “File” variable as you show).
Remove the “Get First Item…” action, link the Repeat action to the 1st action so that the repeat action is based on the files in the “Get file from…” action, then in the “Play Sound” action, choose the “Repeat Item” variable (instead of the “File” variable as you show).
The shortcut works fine on my end on an iPhone using iOS 18.2.1 (I did all the above on an iPad using iPadOS 18.2.1).
Try to move the file to the “On My iPad” location (instead of the iCloud Drive location) and try to use that location instead in your shortcut. I’m suspecting a permission issue.
Also, you may want to make sure Shortcuts is activated in Settings > Privacy & Security > Files & Folders.
Please use the “Open File” action as shown above. The Quick Look functionality (what you show) is slightly different.
As a side note, I see that you are using Dropbox. I’m wondering if this could have an incidence on your issue (I don’t have Dropbox).
I did a simpler test on my iPad using and .m4a file I had in my music library (ripped from a CD) that I copied in iCloud Drive:
The file played fine. Try to use the file directly, without going through a Repeat loop, to see if your file works.
It is odd that you have 2 entries for Shortcuts and that they do not show the right icon.
That’s odd. I just tried an .aif file and it works fine in Shortcuts. Could you try another file? Did you upgrade to iPadOS 18.2.1?
Let’s see if it’s a permission issue. Create another shortcut to open a regular file like an image or a PDF. Here is an example for an image file:
Run the shortcut and see if the file opens properly.
You are right: Dropbox is predefined. I also see it now on my device.
I think we are making progress. The 2nd screenshot only shows one Shortcuts entry, now with the right icon. Quit Shortcuts completely, restart your iPad and see if the new/last shortcut works.
I changed the script as you mentioned (screen shot), unfortunately with no change in behavior; the default notification is still being played.
Just to check the test file to be played, I used another shortcut (screen shot). It is playing the sound.
May be you have another idea.
I deleted the 2 shortcuts and did a restart of the iPad.
Still the same behavior and in Settings the shortcut app is not listed.
Different was the time delay before the short cut was executed; that happend only once after the reboot.
First I thought, that it is working but it is not.
Going directly via shortcut the default notification ist still being played.
But from within the file app that file is being played.
With an m4a file it shows the same behavior; on an iPhone SE running iOS 15.8.3 the same.
Yes, it is iPadOS 18.2.1.
On "On my iPad" it shows the same behavior; with the defaukt notification sound.
For Privacy & Security > Files & Folders in Setting see screen shot.
That is working fine.
It is hanging; the short cut is not being finished.
I am not using Dropbox. It is not a default entry ?
Now Short cut requested access as shown in Settings.
How can I play audio files using shortcuts on iPad?
