{
  "id": 2381169,
  "title": "This iOS 27 Shortcut Stopped My Mindless Scrolling",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/21/this-ios-27-shortcut-stopped-my-mindless-scrolling",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-08-21T12:27:09.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "CNET",
    "slug": "cnet",
    "url": "https://www.cnet.com/tech/mobile/this-ios-27-shortcut-stopped-my-mindless-scrolling/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "I found myself mindlessly scrolling through Threads and TikTok throughout the day, unable to recall the reasons for picking up my phone. This compulsive behavior led me to a solution this week, thanks to a new iOS 27 feature and its Shortcuts app. As a beta tester for the upcoming operating system, I discovered a unique method to retrain my brain using the app's Describe a Shortcut function. By speaking my preferences into the app, it executes my commands. In my latest One More Thing video, I demonstrated how to instruct Shortcuts not to allow access to Instagram (or Threads, or TikTok) during work hours. Although this may not have been Apple's original intent for Shortcuts, reprogramming my phone into a \"brick\" proved more engaging than paying for a separate solution to combat my social media addiction. Don't miss the full video on our YouTube channel, where Bridget Carey breaks down the latest Apple news and issues every Friday.",
  "summary": "I could just delete the addictive social media apps, but what’s the fun in that?",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}