How to remove grayed-out Shortcutsactions app attached to contacts after iOS 18.4 update?

After update 18.4 I have a grayed out app called Shortcutsactions listed under App Privacy Report. This unknown app is attached to my contacts and is popping up multiple times a day. Called tech support 4/5/25 @ 5:40 pm...on call for 56 min with tech that I allowed screen share with....put me on hold multiple times but couldn't figure issue out...said he would email me a ticket number (gave email address and he read it back to me) but never got an email so I don't know HOW TO REMEFY THIS SECURITY ISSUE!!!



[Re-Titled by Moderator]

iPhone 16 Pro Max, iOS 18

Posted on Apr 6, 2025 07:14 AM

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Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Posted on Apr 6, 2025 08:44 AM

See the pics below


Pic 1


Unfortunately, iOS does not let you directly revoke Contacts access for the Shortcuts app via the Privacy settings. 


Pic 2


Why apps access your contacts

  1. Displaying contact names: When you receive a message, email, or call — whether via:
    1. Mail
    2. Messages (iMessage/SMS)
    3. WhatsApp
    4. Telegram
    5. Or any other communication app
    6. — your iPhone (or the app itself) may access the Contacts database to:
    7. Match the incoming phone number or email address with a saved name or photo
    8. Show you "John Smith" instead of just "+1 (555) 123-4567"
    9. So even if you're only receiving a message, the app might access Contacts to identify the sender.
  2. Sending messages or emails: When you compose a message or email, iOS or the app:
    1. May access your contacts to auto-complete names and addresses
    2. Show recent contacts
    3. Let you pick from your contact list

This access is also recorded in the App Privacy Report.


📌 Important Notes:

  • Access is logged only if you've granted permission to that app under Settings > Privacy & Security > Contacts.
  • Access can be occasional or continuous, depending on how the app functions (e.g., WhatsApp might access contacts more often to sync who’s on the app).
  • Some accesses are done by iOS system services on behalf of the app — these may or may not be logged depending on context.



5 replies
Question marked as Top-ranking reply

Apr 6, 2025 08:44 AM in response to OhNoNewToIOS

See the pics below


Pic 1


Unfortunately, iOS does not let you directly revoke Contacts access for the Shortcuts app via the Privacy settings. 


Pic 2


Why apps access your contacts

  1. Displaying contact names: When you receive a message, email, or call — whether via:
    1. Mail
    2. Messages (iMessage/SMS)
    3. WhatsApp
    4. Telegram
    5. Or any other communication app
    6. — your iPhone (or the app itself) may access the Contacts database to:
    7. Match the incoming phone number or email address with a saved name or photo
    8. Show you "John Smith" instead of just "+1 (555) 123-4567"
    9. So even if you're only receiving a message, the app might access Contacts to identify the sender.
  2. Sending messages or emails: When you compose a message or email, iOS or the app:
    1. May access your contacts to auto-complete names and addresses
    2. Show recent contacts
    3. Let you pick from your contact list

This access is also recorded in the App Privacy Report.


📌 Important Notes:

  • Access is logged only if you've granted permission to that app under Settings > Privacy & Security > Contacts.
  • Access can be occasional or continuous, depending on how the app functions (e.g., WhatsApp might access contacts more often to sync who’s on the app).
  • Some accesses are done by iOS system services on behalf of the app — these may or may not be logged depending on context.



Apr 6, 2025 10:00 AM in response to SravanKrA

This morning I did a full reset on iPhone....then didn't do a full download of data....reset every app and every security setting. Been working on this for several hours now and when I checked my Privacy Report the grayed out app is no longer showing. Amazing that you have answers and Tech Support "bailed". Do you think I need to be concerned about sharing multiple screens with this tech? BTW this finally cleared out all the OLD Analytics data from my OLD iPhone!

Apr 12, 2025 03:29 PM in response to OhNoNewToIOS

Ultimately the full reset did not work. I discovered that one of my contacts was connected to Facetime.....had to delete them from Facetime app....then checked Shortcuts app to be sure the Facetime connection was deleted.....then backed up to icloud....then deleted both Facetime and Shortcuts as I don't use either of them! This disconnected me from the grayed out Shortcutsactions. Good luck finding your needle in the haystack!!

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How to remove grayed-out Shortcutsactions app attached to contacts after iOS 18.4 update?

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