How to Automate iPhone Settings Based on Your Location

The iPhone is a powerful device, but remembering to toggle settings on and off as you move throughout your day can be tedious. You might want your phone to go completely silent when you arrive at the office, or automatically turn off Wi-Fi when you leave your house to save battery.

Thanks to Apple’s built-in Shortcuts app, you do not need to do this manually. You can create location-based automations that change your iPhone’s settings the moment you arrive at or leave a specific geographic area.

In this guide, we will show you how to set up automatic, location-based triggers on your iPhone.

What You Need

Before we begin, ensure you have the following:

• An iPhone running iOS 13 or later (iOS 15 or later is recommended for the most seamless experience).
• The Shortcuts app installed (it comes pre-installed on iOS, but if you deleted it, you can redownload it for free from the App Store).
• Location Services enabled (Settings > Privacy & Security > Location Services).

Step 1: Create a New Automation

We will use the example of turning on "Do Not Disturb" automatically when you arrive at work, but the steps apply to almost any setting.

1. Open the Shortcuts app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Automation tab at the bottom centre of the screen.
3. If you already have automations, tap the + (plus) icon in the top-right corner. If you do not, tap Create Personal Automation.

Step 2: Set the Location Trigger

Now, you need to tell the iPhone when to execute the action.

1. Tap on Arrive (if you want something to happen when you get somewhere) or Leave (if you want something to happen when you depart).
2. Tap Choose next to Location.
3. Search for your workplace address, a specific landmark, or your home address.
4. Once selected, you will see a map with a blue circle around the location. This is the "geofence." You can drag the blue dot on the circle to make the trigger area larger or smaller.
5. Tap Done in the top-right corner.
6. Tap Next.

Step 3: Add the Action (What the iPhone Should Do)

Now, you need to tell the iPhone what to do when you cross that geofence.

1. Tap the Add Action button.
2. Use the search bar at the top to find the setting you want to change. For our example, type "Focus" or "Do Not Disturb."
3. Tap Set Focus.
4. The action will appear in your script. It will usually say "Turn [Do Not Disturb] [On] until [Turned Off]." You can tap any of the highlighted words to change them (e.g., change "Do Not Disturb" to a custom "Work" focus profile).
5. You can add multiple actions here if you want. For example, search for "Set Volume" and add it to lower your media volume to 0% as well.
6. Once you have added all your actions, tap Next.

Step 4: Ensure it Runs Automatically

By default, iOS might ask for your permission before running a location-based automation. To make it truly automatic, you need to adjust one final setting.

1. On the final review screen, look for the toggle that says Ask Before Running.
2. Turn this toggle Off.
3. A warning prompt will appear asking if you are sure. Tap Don’t Ask.
4. (Optional) If you want your phone to silently confirm the action occurred without requiring a tap, you can leave "Notify When Run" turned on.
5. Tap Done in the top-right corner.

Ideas for Location Automations

Once you understand this workflow, you can automate many aspects of your daily routine:

• Leaving Home: Turn off Wi-Fi and turn on Mobile Data to stop your phone from clinging to a weak home signal as you drive away.
• Arriving at the Gym: Automatically open your workout playlist in Apple Music or Spotify and turn on Bluetooth.
• Arriving Home: Turn on your smart lights (if connected to Apple HomeKit) and disable Cellular Data.

By taking a few minutes to set up location-based Shortcuts, your iPhone becomes much smarter, managing its own settings so you do not have to.