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Setting Up the Shortcuts App
Setting Up the Shortcuts App

Setup the shortcuts app, so you can use voice activated alerts, home screen panic, and triple tap panic.

Ross Barfield avatar
Written by Ross Barfield
Updated over 2 years ago

The first step is to locate the Shortcuts application on your device.


A quick method to find the app is to swipe down from the top of your screen and use the search field.

If you don't have it downloaded on your phone, you can do so here.


The best way to set up your shortcut, is to add the shortcut to your app using this link.

Once initiated, this will allow you to add a shortcut on your home screen, enable Siri voice activation, and configure the remaining methods.

If this method doesn't work for you, go to the second half of this article, which has the instructions for adding the shortcut manually.

This feature is available on the StaySafe app version 1.6 and above. It is only available for iOS devices running iOS 13 or later. Earlier devices will not be able to utilize this functionality. Siri shortcuts are incompatible with iOS 15.0, please ensure you have upgraded to iOS 15.

Add Shortcut

Select "+ Add Shortcut"

Select "Panic"

Go to the "My Shortcuts' tab and tap on the "Panic" button.

Allow Access

Allow the Shortcuts app to access StaySafe.

This will then trigger a panic as a test. It will redirect you to the StaySafe app, where you can cancel the alarm.

Now that your Shortcut is set up, you can set up the Triple Tap Panic, add Panic Button to your Home Screen, setup a Voice Activated Panic and Floating Widgets in the articles linked below.


Adding the Shortcut Manually

If you can't use the above method, here is how to do it manually.

Open the Shortcuts App

The first step is to locate the Shortcuts application on your device.


A quick method to find the app is to swipe down from the top of your screen and use the search field.

If you don't have it downloaded on your phone, you can do so here.

Create a new Shortcut

Tap on the "+" icon to create a new shortcut.

Add a new Action

Tap "Add Action" to create the new Action.

Select StaySafe

You can select StaySafe, either by searching for StaySafe in the search bar.

Or

By tapping "Apps" and scrolling until you find StaySafe.

Select Panic

You can select the action you want from StaySafe.

To create a Panic shortcut, select "Panic".

Close the Set-Up

Tap "X" on the top right-hand corner of the screen to close the menu.


Your Shortcut is now setup, but we recommend that you take the time to make a few aesthetic changes so the icon created stands out on your device. To do this, you will need to follow the steps below.

Things look slightly different between iOS 14 and iOS 15, please see review both below.

iOS 14

Tap the three dots

Tap on the three dots in the circle in the top right-hand corner of the New Shortcut screen.

Modify the icon

Tap on the icon to update it to a more obvious symbol.

Choose the warning symbol

Tap on the ‘Glyph’ tab and tap on ‘Symbols’ in the options in the footer menu.


Tap and select the warning symbol from the list.


Tap on ‘Done’ to confirm your selection.

Give the Home Screen shortcut a name

Tap on ‘Shortcut Name’ and name the Home Screen shortcut.


The name needs to be short to avoid characters being omitted and replaced with an ellipsis.


We recommend using the name ‘Panic’.

iOS 15

Modify the icon

Tap on the icon to update it to a more obvious symbol.

Choose the warning symbol

Tap on the ‘Glyph’ tab and tap on ‘Symbols’ in the options in the footer menu.


Tap and select the warning symbol from the list.


Tap on ‘Done’ to confirm your selection.

Give the Home Screen shortcut a name

Tap on ‘Shortcut Name’ and name the Home Screen shortcut.


The name needs to be short to avoid characters being omitted and replaced with an ellipsis.


We recommend using the name ‘Panic’.

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