The must-try iPhone shortcut to help you remember everything

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With the power of technology at our fingertips, it’s becoming easier to manage daily life, even for those grappling with issues such as short-term memory loss. Apple’s “Remember This” shortcut is one such tool that acts as an invaluable assistant for memory support and mindfulness. This shortcut lets you quickly build a visual and textual log of your daily activities and serves as a handy digital journal.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on setting it up and using it effectively.

 

Getting the shortcut set up

Step 1: Install the shortcuts app

Ensure you have the Shortcuts app installed on your iPhone. It’s a free download from the App Store and comes pre-installed on newer iPhones.

• Launch the App Store
• Select Search in the bottom right corner
• Type in “Shortcuts” and select the app from the list
• Tap Get, then Install, and Open to use it 

Step 2: Find “Remember This” in the shortcuts gallery

• Open the Shortcuts app, then tap “Gallery” at the bottom right

• In the search box, type “remember“
• You should see the “Remember This” shortcut. Tap the plus icon to add this shortcut to your library

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How to Use the Shortcut

Voice, Button, or Automation: Your Choice

You can activate the “Remember This” shortcut in three ways:

• Tapping a button on your home screen
• Using your voice via Siri
• Automating it to run at specific times of the day

Using “Remember This” from the home screen

Step 1: Add the shortcut to your home screen

• Go to the Shortcuts app and tap Shortcuts and then tap All Shortcuts
• Then locate “Remember This” under the All Shortcuts tab and tap the ellipsis button on the shortcut

• Then tap the down arrow on the following screen towards the top

• Scroll down and choose “Add to Home Screen“

• Then tap Add on the following screen in the upper right-hand corner

• To add the shortcut as a larger icon (which might be beneficial for some), long-press on your home screen to go into “jiggle mode.” Tap the plus button in the upper left, scroll down until you see Shortcuts, and tap on it. Choose the single widget tile to display your most recently added shortcut.

Step 2: Run the Shortcut

• To use the shortcut, tap the icon on your home screen

• The shortcut will ask, “What do you want to remember? Type in your text, then tap Done.

• You will be prompted to include a photo. Tap Yes or No

• If the answer is Yes, it may ask for access to your camera. You can tap Allow Once or Always Allow

• Then your camera app will open, and then take a picture by tapping the white shutter button at the bottom of the screen

• Then tap “Use Photo,” and the information you record using the shortcut is saved in the Notes app on your iPhone

• To view the information you’ve recorded simply open the Notes app on your iPhone

• Tap All iCloud

• Now search for #remember to bring up all the notes you’ve created using the “Remember This” shortcut. You’ll see a new note for each day, which contains photos and time-stamped entries.

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Using Siri for “Remember This”

You can activate Siri by using the “Remember This” shortcut either by voice or by holding the side button.

• Activate Siri, either by saying “Hey Siri” or by clicking and holding the side button (for iPhones without a Home button) or the Home button (on iPhones with a Home button) 
• Say, ‘Hey Siri, “Remember this,” and Siri will ask what you want to remember.
• Speak what you want to remember, then say “Yes” to include a photo. You may be asked for access to your camera. You can say Allow Once or Always Allow
• Then your camera app will open, and then take a picture by tapping the white shutter button at the bottom of the screen
• Then tap Use Photo 

Once you’ve saved a remember or two, you can access them via the Notes app on your iPhone. To view the information you’ve recorded:

• Simply open the Notes app on your iPhone.
• Tap All iCloud.
• Now search for #remember to bring up all the notes you’ve created using the “Remember This” shortcut. You’ll see a new note for each day, which contains photos and time-stamped entries.

 

Automating “Remember This”

Step 1: Create personal automation

• Open the Shortcuts app and tap on “Automation” at the bottom.

• Choose “Create Personal Automation”

• Then choose “Time of Day.” Set the time you’d like the automation to run

Step 2: Add the “Remember This” shortcut to the automation

• Choose “Next” and then “Add Action”

• Choose “Apps,” then scroll down and choose “Shortcuts“

• Select “Run Shortcut“

• Specify the “Remember This” shortcut by tapping on the word ‘shortcut’ then selecting the ‘Remember this’ icon and tap “Next.“

Step 3: Finalize automation settings

• You can choose to leave “Ask Before Running” enabled. If this is on, your phone will prompt you to run the shortcut at the scheduled time. Once you’ve set your preferences, choose “Done.”

Once you’ve saved a remember or two, you can access them via the Notes app on your iPhone. To view the information you’ve recorded:

• Simply open the Notes app on your iPhone.
• Tap All iCloud.
• Now search for #remember to bring up all the notes you’ve created using the “Remember This shortcut.” You’ll see a new note for each day, which contains photos and time-stamped entries.

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How to set up the “Remember This” shortcut on your iPhone using the triple-tap function

The “Remember This” shortcut can be set up on your iPhone using the triple-tap function. This allows you to quickly save information by tapping the back of your phone three times. 

• Go to Settings
• Scroll down at tap Accessibility
• Then under the PHYSICAL AND MOTOR section, click Touch
• Then scroll down and tap Back Tap, and then tap Triple Tap
• Then select Remember This under the Shortcuts section

To use the shortcut, simply triple-tap the back of your iPhone. This will trigger the “Remember This” action, allowing you to quickly record a text and a photo to help you remember something important.

 

Kurt’s key takeaways

That’s it! You can now let the “Remember This” shortcut help manage your day, keep track of your activities, and make daily life a little bit easier. I encourage you to give this a try and see how much easier it is to remember everything important to you in life.

Do you see other ways this shortcut could benefit your everyday life? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!

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