Allow Untrusted Shortcuts on iPhone: Steps by iOS Version

On iOS 15 and later you do not need to allow untrusted shortcuts, because Apple removed the switch. Tap the iCloud link, then the add button. On iOS 13 and 14, open Settings → Shortcuts, turn on Allow Untrusted Shortcuts, tap Allow and enter your passcode.

A shortcut that arrives by AirDrop or Messages follows a separate rule, called Private Sharing, in the same Settings screen. Below is each case, then the exact steps to install Grabio.

What is an untrusted shortcut on iPhone?

Apple reviews the shortcuts in the Gallery tab. Anything else, such as a shortcut from a website, a friend or AirDrop, counts as untrusted because Apple cannot verify what it does.

Untrusted means unreviewed, not harmful. Apple says it cannot verify the authenticity or behavior of shortcuts shared privately, so the sensible habit is to check what a shortcut does before you run it.

Which setting do I need?

Find your situation in the table. The sections after it give the steps.

Your situation	Where	What to do
Tapped an iCloud link, iOS 15 or later	No setting	Tap the add button on the preview
Same link, iOS 13 or 14	Settings → Shortcuts	Turn on Allow Untrusted Shortcuts, tap Allow, enter passcode
Switch is greyed out	Shortcuts app	Run any shortcut once, then check again
A contact sent you a shortcut	Settings → Shortcuts	Turn on Private Sharing
Shortcut uses scripts	Settings → Shortcuts → Advanced	Allow Running Scripts, only if you trust it
Shortcut moves a lot of data	Settings → Shortcuts → Advanced	Allow Sharing Large Amounts of Data

How do I allow untrusted shortcuts on iOS 15 and later?

You do not have to. Apple took the Allow Untrusted Shortcuts switch out of Settings in iOS 15. A shortcut link from outside the Gallery now opens a preview screen with an add button.

1. Tap the iCloud link of the shortcut in Safari.
2. Tap Open if Safari asks to open it in Shortcuts.
3. Scroll through the actions if you want to read what it does first.
4. Tap the add button at the bottom. Apple labels it Get Shortcut or Add Shortcut, depending on how the shortcut reached you.

If you still see “You can’t add this shortcut because your Shortcuts security settings prevent it”, you are on an older release. Use the next section.

How do I turn on Allow Untrusted Shortcuts in iOS 13 and 14?

1. Open Settings and tap Shortcuts.
2. Switch on Allow Untrusted Shortcuts.
3. Tap Allow in the warning.
4. Enter your iPhone passcode.

Go back to the shortcut link afterwards and add it as normal.

Why is Allow Untrusted Shortcuts greyed out?

On those releases the switch stays greyed out until you have run a shortcut at least once. Open the Shortcuts app, tap any shortcut to run it, then return to Settings → Shortcuts.

If you have none, make a quick one or run one from the Gallery tab. If the switch is still greyed out, run a different shortcut and restart the phone.

What is Private Sharing on iPhone?

Private Sharing is the setting for shortcuts that people send you directly, through AirDrop, Messages and similar. Apple says that because these shortcuts are untrusted, you must enable it first.

Go to Settings → Shortcuts and turn on Private Sharing. If a shortcut file from a contact will not open, check this switch before anything else.

How do I install Grabio on iPhone?

1. On your iPhone, open grabio.adityaarsharma.com/get-shortcut. It forwards you to Apple’s iCloud page for the current version.
2. Tap Open if Safari asks to open it in Shortcuts.
3. Tap the add button. If your iPhone says your security settings prevent it, use the iOS 13 and 14 steps above, then try the link again.
4. Open any video, photo or link, tap Share and pick Grabio.

Grabio is free and needs no account. Only the install link comes from my server. How Grabio works explains what stays on your phone.

Once it is added, you can put it on your Home Screen or trigger it from a button.

Is it safe to allow untrusted shortcuts?

Turning on a switch does not make a shortcut safe. It only lets you add one. Add shortcuts from people and sites you trust, and read the actions before you tap add.

Shortcuts also asks before a shortcut touches your data. A privacy prompt lets you choose Allow Once, Always Allow or Don’t Allow, and you can reset a shortcut’s access later under its Details.

Leave Allow Running Scripts and Allow Sharing Large Amounts of Data off unless a shortcut you trust needs them. Apple warns that running scripts could cause data loss. To remove something you no longer want, see how to delete shortcuts on iPhone.

Allow untrusted shortcuts: FAQ

Why does my iPhone say my security settings prevent adding a shortcut?

That message comes from older iOS releases, where untrusted shortcuts are blocked by default. Open Settings → Shortcuts, turn on Allow Untrusted Shortcuts, then add the shortcut again.

Where did Allow Untrusted Shortcuts go in iOS 15 and later?

Apple removed it. Links to shortcuts from outside the Gallery open a preview where you tap the add button. The settings that remain are Private Sharing and, under Advanced, the script and large-data switches.

Do I need to allow untrusted shortcuts to use Grabio?

On iOS 15 and later you do not flip a switch to add it. On iOS 13 or 14 you do, because Grabio comes from an iCloud link and not the Gallery. The steps are in the install section above.

Why is the switch greyed out?

Run any shortcut once from the Shortcuts app, then go back to Settings → Shortcuts. On iOS 13 and 14 the switch unlocks after your first run.

Can I turn it off again?

Yes. On iOS 13 and 14, switch Allow Untrusted Shortcuts off in the same place. Shortcuts you already added keep working until you delete them.

Related: the Shortcuts app guide, create a shortcut on iPhone, run a shortcut with a button, add a shortcut to the Home Screen. Apple’s own pages: Adjust privacy settings and Advanced settings.