We all have items that we need to use or consume before they expire, such as food, prescriptions, or medication. But sometimes, we forget to check the expiration dates and end up wasting money or risking our health. Wouldn’t it be nice if our iPhone could remind us when these items are about to expire? Well, guess what? It can.

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS, AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

Using iPhone’s handy Shortcuts app

The Shortcuts app is a great tool that lets you automate tasks and create custom actions on your iPhone. You can use it to create shortcuts that run with a single tap, a voice command, or a scheduled time.

One of the shortcuts that you can create is an expiration reminder. This shortcut will make your iPhone notify you when an item of your choice is about to expire. You can use it for any item that has an expiration date, such as food, prescription, medication, or cosmetics.

How to create an expiration reminder shortcut

Creating an expiration reminder shortcut is very easy. Just follow these steps:

If the Shortcuts app isn’t already on your home screen, swipe down from the top of your phone and type "Shortcuts"Then, open the Shortcuts appTap Gallery in the bottom right corner of your screenNow, search for the word "Expiration" in the search barPress Add Expiration ReminderThen tap - Add Shortcut Return to My Shortcuts by tapping Shortcuts in the bottom left of the screenThen tap - All ShortcutsTap Add Expiration ReminderType the item you're keeping track of and want your iPhone to remind you of when it expires, for instance - Cholesterol medicationThen tap Done Now, choose a date and timeThen tap Done

MORE: POLICE URGE PARENTS TO TURN OFF APPLE IPHONE SETTING DANGEROUS TO KIDS

How to create an expiration reminder shortcut using Siri

You can also add a voice command that will trigger the shortcut.

You can say, "Siri, add expiration reminder." Then Siri will add it.Then, you can tap Change, and Siri will ask, "What do you want to change it to? For example, you could say, "Milk is expiring. "Then tap those words "Milk is expiring," and I will take you to your Lists. Then tap the expiration reminder that you created again.Tap on the i with a circle around it.  Next, toggle on the date and it will allow you to add a date. Toggle on time, and it will allow you to add a specific time.Then tap Done. 

MORE: THE NEW IPHONE SECURITY THREAT THAT ALLOWS HACKERS TO SPY ON YOUR PHONE

How to use and delete an expiration reminder notification

When the date and time you have chosen arrive, your iPhone will send you a reminder notification. You can tap on it and see more details. Once you've read it, you can swipe left and tap delete to remove it.

MORE: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR IPHONE FROM CYBERATTACKS WITH LOCKDOWN MODE

Kurt's key takeaways

The expiration reminder shortcut is a handy way to make your iPhone remind you when your food, subscriptions, or medication is about to expire. It can help you save money, avoid waste, and stay healthy. You can create as many expiration reminders as you want for different items and dates.

What's the one item you always let expire and think this shortcut would help? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact.

For more of my tech tips & security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter.

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you'd like us to cover.

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Ideas for using those Holiday Gift cards:

Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.