Your iPhone already supports voice messages, tap reply, and smart words and sentence suggestions when typing. And now, with the launch of iOS 18.4, you can reach a specific conversation directly from almost any interface of your device. Thanks to the new features in the Shortcuts app, you can quickly send messages to the people you contact most with just one click (or a tap on the back).

iOS 18.4 introduces a new "Open Conversation" operation, and it is even compatible with iOS 18.3.1 or later. Whether you are pursuing efficiency, barrier-free operation, or simply wanting a more convenient experience, this is one of the most practical updates of Shortcuts in recent years.

Here is a tutorial on how to create a shortcut that quickly launches the most commonly used Messages conversations—and adds it to the home screen, lock screen, action buttons, back taps, control center, or anywhere Shortcuts can run. Although this is the most basic shortcut, you can expand on this to create a more powerful automation process.

Required conditions

• iPhone or iPad running iOS 18.4 or iPadOS 18.4 or above
• Shortcuts application (with system)
• There is at least one chat history in the Messages app

Create a new shortcut

First open the Shortcuts app. If you are not on the "Shortcuts" tab, please switch over first, and then click the plus sign ( ) in the upper right corner to create a new workflow. This shortcut will be used to quickly open the specified Messages conversation.

Add "Open Conversation" action

Enter "Open Conversation" in the search bar and click on the result with the green Messages icon. At this point you will see a "Dialogue" field appearing in the shortcut.

Select your chat person

Click the "Conversation" field and your chat history will be listed, and those who are active recently will be ranked first. Choose the conversation you want to quickly open—can be friends, family, group chats, or even yourself (suitable for quick notes).

Rename shortcuts

For easy management, click the drop-down arrow ( ∨ ) next to the top name and select "Rename". Enter the name of the contact or group and click "Done" on the keyboard to save. You can also select "Change Icon" from the menu to replace the default icon, but the default icon for Messages is already very suitable.

Test and save

In this way, your shortcut can immediately open the specified Messages conversation. Click the play button to test it, and then click "Finish" to save it after confirming it is correct.

If you want to add this shortcut to the home screen, please keep the editing interface and do not exit and continue to see the following operations.

Bind shortcuts to common triggers

Although the shortcuts themselves can run, it is more troublesome to open Messages manually if you click on them every time. To make it truly efficient, it is recommended to bind a quick trigger method. Here are some of the best options:

Add to Home Screen

Want to open chat with one click on the home screen? Shortcuts can be added as app-like icons. On the "Shortcuts" tab, click the three dots (???) on the shortcut card to enter the editing interface. Then do any of the following:

• Click ? next to the name and select "Add to Home Screen"
• Click the "Share" button at the bottom toolbar and select "Add to Home Screen"
• Click the ? (Information) button at the bottom and select "Add to Home Screen"

Alternatively, long press the shortcut card and select Details ? Add to Home Screen, or Share ? Add to Home Screen.

Click the share icon at the bottom of the shortcut editor and select "Add to Home Screen". After setting the name and icon, click "Add" in the upper right corner. Now there is a clickable icon on the home screen, which directly reaches the specified dialogue with one click.

Use the back tap gesture

Open the chat by tapping the back of your phone twice or three times. Go to Settings ? Accessibility ? Touch ? Back and select Double-click or triple-click. Scroll down and select the shortcut you just created. Now tap the back of the phone to open the conversation directly without unlocking or sliding.

Note: In iOS 18.5, a prompt banner pops up every time you trigger the back tap, which may be a bit annoying. You can disable it by turning off the Show Banner option in the Back Tap setting.

Bind to the operation button (iPhone 15 Pro and above models)

If you are using an iPhone 15 Pro or newer model, you can assign the Open Dialogue shortcut to the action button above the volume key. Go to Settings ? Actions button, slide to select "Shortcut", click "Select Shortcut", and select the one you just created.

Now, press and hold the action button to directly open the specified Messages conversation.

Add to Control Center

You can also add shortcuts directly to the Control Center for quick access from any interface. Swipe up to open the Control Center, long press the background, select "Add Control", find and select the "Shortcut" option. In the shortcut selector, select your "Open Conversation" shortcut and it will appear in Control Center as a control item and is ready to be available.

Use on lock screen

You can also add chat shortcuts to the lock screen for nearly instant access. Open the lock screen interface, press and hold the background, select "Custom", enter the "Lock Screen" editing mode, and remove one of the two controls at the bottom. Then click the “ ” sign, find and select the “Shortcut” option. Select your shortcut in the selector and it will appear on the lock screen and click to open the chat.

If you don't want to occupy the control position, you can also add it as a widget. In the lock screen editing interface, click on the widget area and select "Shortcuts". After the icon appears below the time, click the icon to select your chat shortcut and save. After that, just click on the widget to open the conversation.

Summarize

The function of "Open Dialogue" is a practical feature that makes people feel that it is "destined to have it". Now it has finally arrived, greatly improving communication efficiency. Whether it is frequent contact with a partner, working group chat, or recording memos, it can save you the hassle of multiple clicks.

And as a native iOS feature, it is safe and smooth, without relying on third-party apps or complicated settings. Combined with the other features of Shortcuts—such as voice dictation, input prompts, text readings, etc.—you can create a powerful messaging tool that fits your usage habits.

Don't miss: More than 70 new iPhone features in iOS 18.4 - a complete list of updates

Cover image and screenshot from Gadget Hacks

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