IOS Shortcuts: Discover the Day of the Week

iOS shortcuts are a powerful tool that allows users to automate tasks on their mobile device. With just a tap, users can activate pre-programmed actions that save time and effort. One useful shortcut is the “Day of Week” shortcut, which pulls up the day of the week with just one tap. This can be a game-changer for busy individuals who need to keep track of their schedule.

How to Create the IOS Day of Week Shortcut

If you frequently need to know what day of the week a certain date falls on, then creating a smartphone shortcut that accomplishes this task for you can be incredibly convenient. In this article, we will discuss two ways to create an IOS Day of Week Shortcut, using nested if-statements and using a dictionary; as well as the different date formats that can be used in the shortcut.

Using Nested if-Statements

One approach to creating the IOS Day of Week Shortcut is to utilize nested if-statements. This approach involves setting up a series of conditions to be met in order to determine the day of the week for a given date. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Open the Shortcuts application on your IOS device
2. Select “Create Shortcut”
3. Add “Get Current Date” to your shortcut
4. Add the “Format Date” action and choose your preferred date format. For example, “dddd” represents the full name of the weekday
5. Add the “If” action from the scripting menu
6. Add the nested “If” actions by selecting “Add Action” and selecting “If”, then adding a condition for each day of the week
7. After each “If” action, use the “Otherwise” action, and repeat the same steps for each day of the week
8. Customize your response for each day of the week using the “Text” action

Using a Dictionary

Another way of creating the IOS Day of Week Shortcut is by using a dictionary. A dictionary is a list of key-value pairs that can be used to lookup the day of the week for a given date. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open the Shortcuts application on your IOS device
2. Select “Create Shortcut”
3. Add “Get Current Date” to your shortcut
4. Add the “Format Date” action and choose your preferred date format. For example, “yyyyMMdd” represents the date as a number with the year first
5. Add the “Get Dictionary Value” action and load the appropriate dictionary. For instance, you can create a dictionary with key-value pairs for every day of the year
6. Use the “Text” action to display the result of the dictionary lookup

Date Formats

Lastly, the IOS Day of Week Shortcut supports different date formats. Using these formats can help you display the date in a way that is most useful to you. Here are some common date formats:

Use these different date formats to create shortcuts that suit your needs.

How to Use the IOS Day of Week Shortcut

If you want to know what day of the week it is and you have iOS 14 or higher, you can use the IOS Day of Week Shortcut. Here’s how to use it:

1. First, download the IOS Day of Week Shortcut from the App Store.
2. Open the Shortcuts app and click on the “My Shortcuts” tab.
3. Select the IOS Day of Week Shortcut.
4. Run the shortcut by tapping on it.
5. Enter the date for which you want to check the day of the week.
6. Click “OK”.

The shortcut will display the day of the week for the date you entered.

Tips and Tricks for Customizing the Shortcut

One way to personalize your shortcut is to add specific triggers. You can assign Siri voice commands, create home screen icons for your shortcut, and even add automation options such as triggering your shortcut when you arrive at a certain location.

Another way to customize your shortcut is by modifying the actions within the shortcut itself. You can rearrange actions, add or remove actions, and adjust settings for individual actions.

Using variables is also a useful trick for customizing your shortcut. Variables allow you to store and reuse data throughout your shortcut, making it more efficient and personalized. For example, you can create a variable for your home address and use it in multiple actions in your shortcut.

Finally, consider sharing your shortcut with others or finding pre-made shortcuts created by the iOS community. This can give you new ideas and inspiration for personalizing your own shortcuts.

FAQs

Here are the frequently asked questions about the IOS shortcuts and the day of week shortcut:

1. Can this shortcut be used on any IOS device?

Yes, this specific shortcut can be used on any IOS device that supports the Shortcuts app.

2. Is it possible to edit the shortcut once it’s been created?

Yes, you can always edit the shortcut after it has been created. Simply tap on the edit button and make the necessary changes to the shortcut.

3. Can this shortcut be integrated with other shortcuts?

Yes, this shortcut can be integrated with other IOS shortcuts. This can be done by running the day of week shortcut within another shortcut that you have already created.

Conclusion

The use of iOS shortcuts is becoming increasingly important with the wide range of tasks that can be automated with just a tap or a command to Siri. The day of the week shortcut is particularly useful in keeping track of tasks and events with a simple and quick method. By incorporating the If action and number ranges in creating shortcuts, users can customize their shortcuts to fit their unique needs. With the Shortcuts app’s flexibility and customization options, the possibilities of automation are endless.

References

• https://thesweetsetup.com/ios-shortcuts-day-of-the-week/
• https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-use-ios-shortcuts-app-examples-2018-9#see-what-the-weather-will-be-like-today-at-a-glance-4