How to Automatically Send a Text Message When You Arrive at a Location Using Shortcuts

If you regularly ask a partner or roommate to “let me know when you get home safely,” you know how easy it is to forget to actually send that text message upon arrival. Instead of relying on your memory, you can use the built-in Apple Shortcuts app on your iPhone to create a geo-fenced automation. This allows your phone to detect when you cross the threshold of a specific location (like your house or office) and automatically fire off a pre-written iMessage to a designated contact without you ever touching the screen.

How to Create a Location-Based Automation

The Shortcuts app comes pre-installed on all modern iOS devices and serves as the central hub for system automations.

1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Automation tab at the bottom centre of the screen.
3. Tap the + (Plus) icon in the top right corner to create a new automation.
4. A list of trigger events will appear. Scroll down and select Arrive.
5. On the When I Arrive screen, tap the blue Choose button next to Location.
6. Search for the specific address (e.g., your home address) using the search bar, select it, and tap Done.
7. Ensure the time range is set to Any time (unless you only want it to trigger during specific hours).
8. At the bottom of the screen, select the radio button next to Run Immediately. (If you leave it on Run After Confirmation, the phone will just send you a prompt asking if you want to send the text, defeating the purpose of the automation).
9. Ensure the Notify When Run toggle is turned off, then tap Next.

How to Configure the Text Message Action

Now that the trigger is set, you must define the exact message you want to send.

1. On the next screen, select New Blank Automation.
2. Tap the blue Add Action button.
3. In the search bar, type “Send Message” and tap the Send Message icon (with the green Messages app logo).
4. The action box will appear reading “Send Message to Recipients.”
5. Tap the blue highlighted word Message and type your pre-written text, such as: “I have arrived home safely!”
6. Tap the blue highlighted word Recipients and select the contact you wish to notify.
7. Tap Done in the top right corner to save the automation.

Your automation is now live. The next time your phone’s GPS registers that you have arrived at the designated address, it will instantly text your contact in the background.