iOS 27.2 adds Shortcuts automations and multilingual web access

Apple’s update notes describe new automations, enhanced actions and improvements to editing shortcuts.[2] The changes are part of the 27.2 updates for iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS and visionOS.[1] Apple’s documentation lists features that apply to particular platforms, rather than presenting every change as available everywhere.[2] For teams or individuals who maintain shortcuts across Apple devices, check which platform a feature supports before building it into a workflow. The update shipped October 26.[1]

One new automation is labeled “When my iPhone is opened or closed” and is associated with iPhone Duo.[2] It runs a shortcut when the phone is unfolded or folded shut.[1] People considering workflows for the device can treat the fold and unfold events as possible starting points, while deciding which shortcut actions are useful to them.

Apple expanded the Shortcuts workout trigger to support the Fitness app on iOS, iPadOS and watchOS.[2] It also updated the app automation so it can provide the name of an app that was closed; Apple lists that automation on iOS, iPadOS and macOS.[2] Separately, the “Use Model” action can retrieve up-to-date web information in French, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese and Spanish.[2][3] The feature had previously been limited to English.[3] The language expansion may help people build shortcuts for these languages, but the evidence does not specify further language capabilities.

On iOS and iPadOS, shortcut names and icons can now be edited directly from the library.[2] On macOS, users can configure window layout through the “Show Actions” and “Show Describe a Shortcut” menu items.[2] These are distinct changes for different parts of the Shortcuts workflow: one addresses how shortcuts are labeled and displayed, while the other concerns window layout on Mac.[2] Apple’s notes do not state that the same editing controls are available on every platform.[2] Review the relevant platform details before adapting instructions or shared workflows.