How to Make an iOS Shortcut to Turn Off Wi-Fi Automatically

Keeping your iPhone and iPad Wi-Fi-connected while at home reduces cellular data usage and ensures a fast internet connection. It's best to turn Wi-Fi off when you leave home, though, to avoid connecting to unsafe networks and to reduce the battery drain that happens when your iPhone searches for available Wi-Fi networks.

If doing this manually seems tedious and difficult to remember, the Shortcuts app is here to help. With this handy app, you can set up your devices to automatically disable Wi-Fi when you leave home. Here's how to use Shortcuts to automatically turn off Wi-Fi when you leave home, and automatically turn Wi-Fi back on again when you return.

Related: Shortcuts App Intro: Selecting, Editing & Creating Basic Shortcuts on an iPhone

How to Turn Off Wi-Fi Automatically on iPhone When You Leave Home

The Shortcuts app is a convenient feature that makes various tasks easier for Apple users. One of these functions is the ability to program your iPhone and iPad to turn off Wi-Fi automatically when you leave your home. Here are the steps to set up a Wi-Fi Automation:

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  1. Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad.

    Open the Shortcuts app to create a Wi-Fi automation
  2. Tap the Automation tab at the bottom of the screen.

    Tap on the Automation tab at the bottom
  3. Select Create Personal Automation.

    Select Create Personal Automation
  4. Tap Leave.

    Select Leave
  5. Select Choose next to Location.

    Tap choose to select your location
  6. If you’re setting up this automation at home, choose Current Location. You’ll notice that the street address appears at the top, along with a blue checkmark to the right of Current Location and a map at the bottom of the screen.

    Tap on Current Location
  7. If this location information looks correct, tap Done. If not, you can edit it and then tap Done.

    Confirm that your location is correct and tap Done
  8. Review everything on this next screen for accuracy, and then tap Next.

    Double-check the information and tap Next
  9. Select Add Action and type “Wi-Fi” in the search bar.

    Tap Add Action
  10. Choose Set Wi-Fi from the search results and tap Next.

    Search for Wi-Fi and tap on Set Wi-Fi in the search results. Then tap Next.
  11. Tap on the blue word On to change it to Turn Wi-Fi Off.

    Tap on the blue word ON to change it to say "off"
  12. Tap on Next at the top-right corner.

    Tap next to save the change
  13. Tap Done to finish setup.

    Tap done to confirm the setup of your Wi-Fi off automation

Use Shortcuts to Turn Wi-Fi Back On When You Arrive Home

Just like Shortcuts turns off Wi-Fi when not in range, it can also turn it back on when you return home. Here’s how to set up that automation:

  1. Launch the Shortcuts app on your iPhone or iPad.

    Open the Shortcuts app
  2. Tap on the Automation tab at the bottom of the screen.

    Tap on the Automation tab at the bottom
  3. Tap the + symbol at the top right corner to create a new personal automation.

    Tap the blue plus symbol at the top right
  4. Select Create Personal Automation.

    Select Create Personal Automation
  5. Tap on Arrive.

    Select Arrive
  6. Select Choose next to Location.

    Tap Choose to choose the location
  7. If you're at home, choose Current Location.

    Select Current Location
  8. Review the address at the top and your location on the map. If this looks good, tap Done.

    Confirm your location and tap Done to save.
  9. Review everything on this next screen for accuracy, and then tap Done.

    Tap Done in the upper-right corner to confirm the location.
  10. Select Add Action.

    Tap on Add Action
  11. Type “Wi-Fi” in the search bar. Choose Set Wi-Fi from the search results and tap Next.

    Search for Wi-Fi and tap on Set Wi-Fi in the search results. Then tap Next.
  12. You should already see the action Turn Wi-Fi On.

    The setting should already say Turn Wi-Fi On, which is correct.
  13. Tap Next at the top-right corner to confirm the instructions.


    Review the screen and tap Done to confirm setup off the Wi-Fi on automation
  14. Tap Done to finalize the automation.

    Tap Next to confirm the Wi-Fi on action

Using the Shortcuts app makes life easier and eliminates tedious tasks that are easy to forget. An automation to turn off Wi-Fi when you leave home is a simple way to enhance the security of your devices, so you spend less time worrying and more time enjoying your iPhone and iPad. Do you have a bunch of saved Wi-Fi passwords you no longer need? You can clear the clutter by learning how to forget a Wi-Fi network.

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Author Details

Erin MacPherson's picture

Author Details

Erin MacPherson

Erin is a Web Editor for iPhone Life and has been a writer, editor, and researcher for many years. She has a degree in communication with an emphasis on psychology and communication, and has spent many of her professional years as a coach in various business and specialty fields. Erin officially joined the ranks of iPhone and Apple users everywhere around nine years ago, and has since enjoyed the unique and customized feel of Apple technology and its many gadgets. When she’s not working, Erin and her son enjoy outdoor adventures, camping, and spending time with their eclectic collection of pets.