Apple acquired the iOS app Workflow in 2017, rebranded it as Shortcuts, and integrated it into iPhones with iOS 12 in 2018. Since then, the company has improved its automation app, making it more powerful and integrating it deeper into iOS. Seven years since Shortcuts debuted, Android still lacks a native alternative. Google Assistant Routines don’t count. They aren’t as powerful or flexible.
Thanks to Android’s openness, you’ll find several powerful automation apps on the Play Store. Among them, I prefer MacroDroid, which is a great equivalent to the iPhone’s Shortcuts app for Android users.
MacroDroid is not like Shortcuts, but that works in its favor
The iPhone’s Shortcuts app and similar automation apps for Android share a common issue: they are not easy to use. Apple made strides in making the Shortcuts app beginner-friendly, but only power users will feel comfortable using it. Most common users will see the interface, become confused by the options, and exit the app.
MacroDroid does not change that. It’s as complex to use as the iPhone’s Shortcuts app. Each “macro” is an automation that needs a trigger and an action. Based on the trigger (for example, your phone connecting to a Wi-Fi network), MacroDroid executes an action. You can add a constraint to a trigger, such as running it during a specified time or when your phone’s battery is above a certain level.
The Automation section in the iPhone’s Shortcuts app works similarly. You first decide on a trigger (for example, when your phone connects to AirPods), and then decide the action to execute. You can select one of your existing Shortcuts or create a new one.
The Shortcuts app has a more user-friendly interface than MacroDroid. Plus, it exposes an app’s actions, making things easier to understand. However, MacroDroid makes up for this with its more powerful actions and triggers.
Action Blocks make creating similar macros easier
One advantage of MacroDroid’s approach is its support for Action Blocks, which let you group related actions. You can reuse this block across multiple macros.
For example, if several macros need to perform the same tasks (like turning off mobile data and lowering the volume), you don’t need to recreate those actions each time. Instead, create an Action Block once and link to it where needed, saving time and keeping your automations simple.
Many of my macros trigger music playback in YouTube Music and change the phone volume to 100%. Instead of repeating these actions in every macro, I created an Action Block with these actions. The best part is that when I tweak this Action Block, the changes automatically reflect across all macros that link to it.
You can also create “Shortcuts” in the iPhone’s Shortcuts app. Think of them as actions that you want to trigger manually. Since MacroDroid uses a trigger-action model for automations, you’ll create a macro with a manual trigger, like a widget tap or shortcut press, to run an action on demand.
This is relatively easy, and you can add any macro as a shortcut to your phone’s home screen by long pressing it and selecting the “Create home screen shortcut” option.
I have several macros as shortcuts on my home screen. One shares the last clicked picture with my wife on Telegram. Another sends a text to my friend when I am almost ready to leave for the gym.
MacroDroid trumps Shortcuts with its plugin support
Like the iPhone’s Shortcuts app, MacroDroid features a Templates gallery. From here, you can explore new and top-rated macros created by other users, ready to download and use on your phone. You can also publish your own macros to this store for other users.
What sets MacroDroid apart from Shortcuts is its compatibility with Tasker and Locale plugins. Tasker is the most powerful and popular automation app for Android, made more capable through its extensive plugin support.
However, Tasker’s steep learning curve is a challenge. In comparison, MacroDroid is easier to use. With Tasker plugin support, you can extend MacroDroid’s functionality and create more powerful macros, without dealing with Tasker’s relatively complicated interface.
Use MacroDroid to step into the world of Android automation
If you have shied away from using automation apps on Android due to their complexity, MacroDroid won’t change that. It’s nearly as complex to use as Tasker, the go-to automation app for Android, if not more so.
Samsung’s Modes and Routines feature in One UI 7 offers a user experience closer to the iPhone’s Shortcuts app and is easier to use. However, it’s not as powerful and lacks support for scripting options.
If you are serious about automation and want full control over your Android experience, MacroDroid is worth the effort. However, be prepared for a slight learning curve.
