I'm continuing the series on how to leverage the Shortcuts app on iPhone to automate stuff.
This week, I'm going to share a tactic aimed at improving our iPhone's security: turning off Wi-Fi when we leave the house and on again when we come back.
One way a nearby attacker can compromise an iPhone is by exploiting a flaw in the Wi-Fi chip or protocol.
Therefore, turning off Wi-Fi on our iPhones when we don't need it is a wise precaution.
The issue, of course, is to remember to do it, and then turn Wi-Fi back on when we need it.
Well, Shortcuts for iOS 15 can help us semi-automate that thanks to 'Personal Automations'.
Why do I say “semi-automate”?
Simply because some Personal Automations truly run automatically (like starting a Workout session) and others trigger a notification that the user must press to run the programmed actions.
The one that I’ll introduce in this post is of the second kind: one will need to tap on the displayed notification to turn Wi-Fi OFF.
Here's how to create this Personal Automation:
Open Shortcuts then tap on "Automation" (bottom)
Tap on the '+' button (top right)
Choose 'Create Personal Automation'
Choose the 'Leave' option
Tap on 'Choose'
If needed, allow 'Shortcuts' to access our location while using the app (otherwise it won't work properly)
Either tap on 'Current location' (if you're at home)
Or tap on one of the locations displayed
Or search for a specific place
If needed, increase the radius around the desired location
Tap on 'Done'
Leave 'Anytime' selected or choose a specific time range
Tap on 'Next'
Tap on 'Add Action'
Type 'Wi-Fi' in the search box
Tap on 'Set Wi-Fi'
Tap on the blue 'On' to change it into 'Off'
Tap on 'Next'
Tap on 'Done'
To create a Personal Automation that will help us turn on Wi-Fi when we get back home, repeat the same process except that:
At step 4: Choose the 'Arrive' option
At step 13: Leave the action as 'Turn Wi-Fi On'
That's it.
In case we'd like to easily connect our iPhone to other trusted Wi-Fi access points, we just create two new Personal Automations for each of those locations too.
I fully understand that it’s not 100% perfect since it still requires some manual operation, but at least we’ll get automatically nudged by Shortcuts.
And you, which kind of automation have you already put in place?
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