Use the Shortcuts app to create and manage your shortcuts
Jul 12, 2019 Navigate to the file or app that you want to create a shortcut for. Right-click it, and select the Make Alias option from the context menu. This will create a shortcut for the item in the same location. You can then move it wherever you want. Unlike Windows, there’s no context menu option for creating a shortcut on the desktop. Oct 12, 2020 Keysmith is a third-party Mac utility that makes it easy for you to create keyboard shortcuts for Mac and web apps. You can pretty much have a shortcut for any of the system apps or third-party. How to Create Desktop Shortcuts on Mac. The first method is the simpler of the two, as it involves using the app’s/folder’s menu to create an alias which you can then move to any desired location on your Mac. Open up the location of the folder or app you want to create a shortcut for.
The Shortcuts app lets you get things done with your apps, with just a tap or by asking Siri. Learn how to create, edit, and delete a shortcut. Or if you're looking for inspiration, try out some of the personalized Starter Shortcuts in the My Shortcuts tab, or visit the Gallery tab to discover new ways to automate your apps.
For example, a shortcut on your iPhone that can help make your commute easier might have three consecutive actions:
- Your chosen transit app routes you home.
- The arrival time is shared with a family member.
- An episode of your favorite podcast plays.
After you create a shortcut you can run it by saying 'Hey Siri,' then the name of the shortcut that you created.
Find new shortcuts in the Gallery
Shortcuts appear in the Gallery based on the apps and actions you use most. To add a shortcut:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, open the Shortcuts app.
- Tap the Gallery tab.
- Under Shortcuts from Your Apps, tap See All to see actions from different apps.
- Tap next to a shortcut that you want to add.
- Tap Add to Siri.
To run your shortcut just say 'Hey Siri,' then the shortcut name.
Add a shortcut from a third-party app
Many apps support adding a shortcut with Siri. Look for while using the app or in the app settings.
- Tap or next to a shortcut that you want to add.
- Tap Add to Siri.
Third-party apps need to support Siri Shortcuts before you can add them to Siri. If you don't see a shortcut for a third-party app, check the App Store to see if the app supports Siri Shortcuts.
Run a shortcut with Siri
Make App Shortcut Mac Desktop
You can run any shortcut that you have by asking Siri on your iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch or HomePod. Just say 'Hey Siri,' then the name of the shortcut.
Running Siri Shortcuts requires iOS 12 or later on iPhone, iPod touch, HomePod, or Apple Watch Series 3 or later, and iOS 12 or iPadOS or later on iPad. Shortcuts that require an app to open might not work on HomePod and Apple Watch.
Shortcuts are suggested right when you need them
Siri learns your routines across your apps. Siri then suggests an easy way to perform common tasks on the Lock Screen or in Search. For example, if you use the same transit app every day, Siri might suggest you begin your route home.
To use a Siri Suggestion, just tap it on the Lock Screen. Or swipe left on your screen to show Search, then tap the Siri Suggestion.
If you don’t want to see Siri Suggestions, go to Settings > Siri & Search, scroll down and turn off Suggestions while Searching, Suggestions on Lock Screen, Suggestions on Home Screen, and Suggestions when Sharing.
Learn more
- Want to run shortcuts across every iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple Watch, or HomePod you own? Just sign into iCloud with the same Apple ID on each device.
- Don't see the shortcut that you want to use? You might need to open the app and perform the action before it appears in the suggested list of shortcuts.
- Learn more about using Siri with the Shortcuts app.
When you download an app on Android or Windows, you get an option, or it automatically creates a shortcut on the home screen or the desktop. On Mac too creating a folder or app shortcut is extremely easy. It hardly requires four clicks. We first make an alias and then move it to the desired location.
You can add shortcuts for folders and apps to the desktop or Dock of your Mac. The first method below is the one I prefer. The second method is also quick, but it at times copies the folder instead of making the shortcut. Anyways, here are two easy ways to create desktop shortcuts on Mac running macOS Catalina.
How to Create Desktop Shortcuts on Mac
Step #1. Decide which folder’s or app’s desktop shortcut you want to create. Find where the folder is located. If you cannot find it, see the end for instructions.
Step #2.Right-click on the folder or app name and click on Make Alias.
Step #3. You will see that a shortcut is immediately created for that folder or app. Press enter key. It has the word alias at the end of the name.
Step #4. Drag this shortcut to your desktop or Dock. You may also copy the shortcut and paste it on the desktop.
This is it!
You have successfully created the desktop shortcut for a folder or app. Now you may quickly use this to open that folder, or launch the app. You may repeat this with as many folders and apps you like.
If you wish, you may select the shortcut, press the enter key, and rename it to remove the word ‘alias.’
Finally, if you wish to see the original folder, right-click on the shortcut icon and click on Show Original.
Note 1: Even if you move the original folder to some other location, the shortcut you created still works. Beautiful! Isn’t it.
Note 2: You may use this method to create shortcuts even for files like image, document, zip, music, movie, etc.
Not able to Find the Folder Location?
Finding applications is clear. You click on Finder → Applications, and there you have all your applications. Knowing the location of the Folders you create is also straightforward.
But for some folders, especially system folders like Downloads, Documents, etc. it may be a bit tough to know the path. Here are some ways to know it.
Make App Shortcut Mac Screenshot
#1. From Sidebar: Launch Finder, place your pointer on the folder name in left Sidebar, and then right-click. Finally, click Show in Enclosing Folder. Now follow the above steps.
#2. Using Path Bar: Be inside Finder and click on View from the menu bar. Now click Show Path Bar. A tab will be added to the bottom of the Finder. It has the location/path for the folder you click or select.
#3. Use Spotlight Search: Launch Spotlight Search by clicking the search icon in menu bar or press Command (⌘) + Space Bar. Now type the folder name and then scroll to the bottom of the search result and click on Show all in Finder… Click on the folder and follow the above steps to make its shortcut.
#4. Use Siri: I do not like Siri on Mac, notably older Macs. Anyways, you may ask Siri on Mac to ‘Show Download Folder’ (or any folder) and then go to the bottom of the result and click on Show all results in Finder… Now you may follow the above steps. Please note that this does not always work.
Create Desktop Shortcuts on Mac Using Drag and Drop
The above method is swift and simple. It is the one I prefer. However, there is an additional way to create folder and app shortcuts on Mac.
Step #1. Be at the location of the folder or app you want to create the shortcut of.
Step #2. Press and hold Option (⌥) + Command (⌘) key together. Do not leave the hold. Now click on the folder or app and drag it to the desktop.
Note: When you use this method, there are chances that you may unwillingly and unknowingly copy or move the folder instead of making its shortcut. Don’t worry. Press Command (⌘) + Z to undo and try again, or use the first method.
Add Folder Shortcuts to Dock on Mac
I recently wrote a post where I explained how to add website shortcuts to Dock on Mac. It is an interesting article. Similarly, you may add shortcuts to your Dock too.
Follow any of the above methods and make the shortcut of the folder or app (you may directly add an app to Dock, but anyway). Now drag that shortcut from Desktop to the rightmost part of Dock (Second left to the Trash icon).
Wrapping up…
These were two easy ways to create shortcut icons on Mac. There is a third method that I know of, which requires Terminal and some command lines. However, it is tricky and beyond the simplicity of the average user. Also, if you change the folder location, the shortcut stops working. So I did not mention this method.
Secondly, on Macs running OS versions before Catalina, you may also click on a Folder or App and then press together Command (⌘) + L. It will instantly make the alias. It works on my old MacBook Pro running macOS Sierra, but on a different MacBook Pro running the latest version of macOS Catalina, this quick method does not seem to work.
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What are your thoughts regarding shortcuts on Mac? Have you used it on Windows? How was the experience there? Share your opinion in the comment section below.
Suraj is a digital marketing expert on the iGB's team. He contributes to the social media section along with tips and tricks for iPhone, Apple Watch. Apart from blogging, he likes to work out as much as he can in his gym and love to listening to retro music.
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