Todays iOS 18.4 beta 2 offers the first major hints in Apples software of the upcoming big Siri upgrades. Apple has added a bunch of new Shortcuts app actions for Apple apps, with super fine-grained controls available for building shortcuts that change apps settings in various ways.iOS 18.4 Shortcuts actions provide glimpse into Siri powers coming soonApples Shortcuts app hasnt received as many noteworthy updates recently as it once did. But that appears set to change soon.Shortcuts App Intents system is the foundation of Apples upcoming Siri upgrades that enable the assistant to perform hundreds of new in-app and cross-app actions.Originally these changes were expected to ship in iOS 18.4, but now iOS 18.5 looks more likely instead.However, iOS 18.4 users are still benefiting thanks to the variety of new Shortcuts app actions available in todays new beta.Inside the updated Shortcuts app, youll find new actions to change settings for various Apple apps. And within each action theres an extremely granular deeper layer of actions you can perform.For example, Safaris shortcut for changing Safari settings lets you update the following:AutoFill Use Contact InfoAutoFill Use Credit CardsBlock Pop-UpsClose TabsLandscape Tab BarOpen LinksPrivate Search EngineSafari SuggestionsSearch EngineSearch Engine SuggestionsTab Bar ConfigurationTab LayoutAll of this clearly isnt here just to benefit the Shortcuts app.Rather, these more fine-grained actions lay the groundwork for new powers Siri will gain in a future update.Are you interested in using the new Shortcuts actions in iOS 18.4? Discover anything else new? Let us know in the comments.Best iPhone accessoriesAdd 9to5Mac to your Google News feed. FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.Youre reading 9to5Mac experts who break news about Apple and its surrounding ecosystem, day after day. Be sure to check out our homepage for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn to stay in the loop. Dont know where to start? Check out our exclusive stories, reviews, how-tos, and subscribe to our YouTube channel
