using shortcut "play sound" to play custom sound other than the defualt ringtone

So, when you click "Choose Variable" after expanding the "play sound" shortcut you are only givent the following options "Clipboard", "Current Date", "Device Details" and "Shortcut Input", it seams like none of those options allow you to choose the sound file you'd to play. what to do now?

Posted on Nov 30, 2022 12:18 AM

Reply
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Nov 30, 2022 1:25 AM

  1. Tap "Add Action"
  2. Search for "file" choose "File" in the search result.
  3. In the list of actions tab the "File" action which you just added.
  4. Browse for the sound file you would like the "Play Sound" to play.
  5. Add the action "Play Sound"
  6. Expand "Play Sound" and tap "Choose Variable"
  7. choose "Select Magic Variable" then in the list of actions under the "File" action you created in step 2 you can see the word "File" in blue, tap on it.
  8. now you can see file has been added to the "Sound File" variable in "Play sound"
  9. tap on the "Play" button to play the sound


So... normally when you want to play some music on your iphone, you will first open your music APP and then in your music library you will choose the music you want to listen.

But what if your music libaray is empty? Easy, just upload your music to the libaray first, then choose the music you like to listen.

The same logic applies to shortcut too.

When you creat a new shortcut it's like you opened a freshly downloaded music APP for the first time, your music libaray should be empty.

It means newly created shortcut it's just like the empty music library. you will first need to upload your sound file to the shortcut first, wich has been explained in step 2 to 4, only then you will be able to ues the sound file to do things you like, for example, play it, wich has been explained in step 5 to 9.

4 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Nov 30, 2022 1:25 AM in response to waxchen

  1. Tap "Add Action"
  2. Search for "file" choose "File" in the search result.
  3. In the list of actions tab the "File" action which you just added.
  4. Browse for the sound file you would like the "Play Sound" to play.
  5. Add the action "Play Sound"
  6. Expand "Play Sound" and tap "Choose Variable"
  7. choose "Select Magic Variable" then in the list of actions under the "File" action you created in step 2 you can see the word "File" in blue, tap on it.
  8. now you can see file has been added to the "Sound File" variable in "Play sound"
  9. tap on the "Play" button to play the sound


So... normally when you want to play some music on your iphone, you will first open your music APP and then in your music library you will choose the music you want to listen.

But what if your music libaray is empty? Easy, just upload your music to the libaray first, then choose the music you like to listen.

The same logic applies to shortcut too.

When you creat a new shortcut it's like you opened a freshly downloaded music APP for the first time, your music libaray should be empty.

It means newly created shortcut it's just like the empty music library. you will first need to upload your sound file to the shortcut first, wich has been explained in step 2 to 4, only then you will be able to ues the sound file to do things you like, for example, play it, wich has been explained in step 5 to 9.

Jan 22, 2023 9:00 AM in response to Pfyer

If you’re still struggling to find the “Add Action” button, go into “New Shortcut”, (some devices may have a + at the top of the screen,) and go to the pull-up tab. You can look under “Categories” to find a more categorized action, “Apps” to find a specific action linked to a program, or you can simply search for any apps and actions you need. I hope this helped!

Nov 30, 2022 12:36 AM in response to waxchen

shortcut provides a quick way to get things done with your apps, with just a tap or by asking Siri. Shortcuts can automate a wide variety of thing


Intro to Shortcuts on iPhone and iPad - Apple Support (IN)



shortcut is a quick way to get one or more tasks done with your apps. The Shortcuts app lets you create your own shortcuts with multiple steps.


Shortcuts User Guide - Apple Support (IN)



This thread has been closed by the system or the community team. You may vote for any posts you find helpful, or search the Community for additional answers.

using shortcut "play sound" to play custom sound other than the defualt ringtone

Welcome to Apple Support Community
A forum where Apple customers help each other with their products. Get started with your Apple Account.