Today, I’m going to share a quick automation trick that will save your eardrums and maybe even your sanity.
The Problem: Unexpected Audio Assault
We’ve all been there. You open TikTok or Instagram in a quiet room, and suddenly, a video blasts at full volume. Your heart races, you fumble to lower the volume, and you’re left feeling startled and slightly embarrassed.
The Solution: Shortcuts Automation
Enter Shortcuts, the unsung hero of iPhone productivity. With a few taps, you can create an automation that automatically lowers your volume when you open specific apps. Here’s how:
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Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
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Navigate to the “Automation” tab.
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Tap the “+” in the top right corner.
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Choose “Create Personal Automation”.
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Scroll down and select “App”.
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Tap “Choose” and select “TikTok” (and any other apps you want).
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Ensure “Is Opened” is selected, then tap “Next”.
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Tap “Add Action”.
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Search for “Set Volume” and select it.
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Adjust the volume slider to your desired level.
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Tap “Next”.
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Review your automation. Pro tip: Turn off “Ask Before Running” for a seamless experience.
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Tap “Done” to save.
Voilà! You’ve just created a personal sound engineer for your social media apps.
Unexpected Benefits
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Mindful Usage: The slight pause as your volume adjusts serves as a micro-moment of awareness. Use this as a cue to ask yourself, “Do I really want to be on this app right now?”
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Battery Savings: Lower volume often means less power consumption. It’s a small win, but every bit counts in the quest for all-day battery life.
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Social Courtesy: Never be that person blasting TikTok sounds in public again. Your fellow commuters will thank you.
What aspects of your digital life are you already automating? Let me know!