Apple Shortcuts does most of the work on an iPhone. Two other apps cover what it leaves out.
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The best phone automation for iPhone is Apple Shortcuts: it is free and built in, and Apple lists 20 triggers, from Time of Day to NFC and Charger, that can run it without asking114. IFTTT adds web services and smart-home devices on a free plan with 1,000 credits a month10.
Requirement: runs on iPhone. Two apps in this ranking meet it, Shortcuts and IFTTT, listed in score order. Android apps such as MacroDroid and Tasker do not run on iPhone1516. The third pick answers business calls; its score comes from the AI phone answering rubric.
Pick Best overall
Free and preinstalled, with variables, If and Repeat logic, web requests, and the Action button on iPhone 15 Pro or later123456. Pick it first on any iPhone.
Price Free and built into iPhone and iPad; Apple Intelligence cloud models in Shortcuts have daily usage limits718
Full review of Apple ShortcutsVisit Apple Shortcuts (opens the Apple Shortcuts website)
Pick For web services and smart home
Links the phone to 1,000+ services, including Philips Hue and MyQ; free plan with 1,000 credits a month, paid plans from $2.09 a month billed annually910. IFTTT says its iOS background syncs can be unreliable11. Pick it if an automation has to reach a web app or a smart-home device.
Price Free plan with 1,000 credits a month; paid plans from $2.09/mo billed annually or $2.99 billed monthly10
Pick For business calls on an iPhone
RingCentral's AI Receptionist app for iPhone answers business calls, with a free plan of 10 call minutes and a business number, and connects to your carrier by call forwarding12. Pick it if the line you want automated is your business number.
Price $49 a month with 100 minutes, then $0.50 a minute; $39 a month as a RingEX add-on13. The iPhone app has a free plan with 10 call minutes12.
Full review of RingCentral AI ReceptionistVisit RingCentral AI Receptionist (opens the RingCentral AI Receptionist website)
| App | Price | Account needed |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Shortcuts | Free, built in17 | Apple Account for optional iCloud Sync and for sharing shortcuts through iCloud1718 |
| IFTTT | Free (1,000 credits a month); paid from $2.09/mo billed annually10 | Yes, a free IFTTT account19 |
| RingCentral AI Receptionist | $49 a month (standalone, 100 minutes); $39 a month as a RingEX add-on13 | Unknown |
Start from the triggers Apple lets run without asking: Time of Day, Arrive, Leave, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, App, Battery Level and Charger are on its list of 2014. The Gallery has ready-made shortcuts in rows such as Essentials and Morning Routine20.
See the full ranking: Best phone automation apps in 2026