Shortcuts: Open FOLDER

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PixelRogue1 Author

Level 1

46 points

Shortcuts: Open FOLDER

Hello everyone,

Looking to create a shortcut that opens a FOLDER (not a file.)

@Alancito - sorry the OP didn't respond to your followup questions.

Shortcut to open a specific folder in the… - Apple Community

In all the various resources online, they appear to only be stating that you select Open File, then long press and choose Folder instead. I've seen the screenshots, the videos and for the life of me can't Open Folder

iOS 18.3 (2025)

New Shortcut (as sample from above link)

Shortcuts > selected (or new) shortcut > tap Search Actions > horizontal scroll tags to Documents > vertical scroll to Files section to Open File > •••

(also available as Open File through search field)

- Long press on Open File does nothing. Short press selects brings "Open File in Default App."

Selecting File - long press - gives Ask Each Time and Shortcut Input options.

Selecting File - short press - requires selecting an actual file.

Choose from menu with (which is the end goal):

If arranged through a Menu shortcut (Choose from menu with) (which is the goal):

Shortcuts > selected menu shortcut > tap Search Actions > horizontal scroll tags to Documents > vertical scroll to Files section to Open File > •••

(also available as Open File through search field)

- Open File brings back "Open Menu Result in Default App."

Selecting Menu Result brings up many options, one of which is labeled Type which defaults to App but can be changed. Here folder is an option but has no meaning making a difference...folder seems to be more of a variable.

- If you have a saved a variable (ie Folder Test) through experiments, that then shows as an option with long press on Files link...showing Variable Type as Folder. Lost.

In 2025, how do you select a folder to open to create a Shortcut?

Posted on Jan 31, 2025 06:37 AM

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Answer 1

PixelRogue1 Author

Level 1

46 points

Jan 31, 2025 05:21 PM in response to 6x6

Kind to post and the sample.

(Sample is iCloud and I’m aiming for local folder - like downloads folder on iPhone.)

Think I am at the exact same spot where there SHOULD be an option named Folder, but there isn’t.

I’m enclosing screen shots illustrating the menu and Folder does not appear.

note the Folder - was an experiment variable (folder was an option in file type list. That didn’t work but can’t seem to get rid of that Folder - variable. This was recent and not impacting solution either way.)

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Answer 2

6x6

Level 6

18,201 points

Jan 31, 2025 04:49 PM in response to PixelRogue1

Hello PixelRogue1,

First, add the "File" action, then tap the word "File" and select a folder. Second, add the "Open File" action. You should see that it automatically picks up the "result" of the 1st action (the folder you have selected).

Here is a Shortcuts example you can download: Open Folder. The example use the Numbers folder on iCloud but you can change it to anything you want.

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Answer 3

6x6

Level 6

18,201 points

Jan 31, 2025 05:43 PM in response to PixelRogue1

The shortcut I posted must have stripped the iCloud location. The first action is really pointing to a folder, not a file.

Here is the updated shortcut that points to the Downloads in the "On My iPhone" location: Open Folder.

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Answer 4

PixelRogue1 Author

Level 1

46 points

Jan 31, 2025 05:52 PM in response to 6x6

I missed this earlier. Just tested and seems to be the same as the first (they look identical.)

First line: Numbers + ---- that only allows (it seems) to open a specific file. Tapping won't accept a folder.

Second Line: Open File in Default App

File brings up file variables (type/file/file size / file extension etc)

Default App disabled.

So still seems like opening a specific file located inside a specific folder, where I'm trying to open the folder itself (not open a specific file, just a target folder)

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Answer 5

PixelRogue1 Author

Level 1

46 points

Jan 31, 2025 05:57 PM in response to PixelRogue1

UPDATE:

This entire time I was either looking for the word folder from menu to select, or file that, w/a long press, give option to change to folder (per other various posts/tutorials.)

BY ACCIDENT, I selected Open on folder which then took the input AND IT WORKS!!

Happy days! I can finally surface deeper nested shortcuts. Thank you!

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