Initial one sec Setup on iOS (iOS 17+)

Step-by-step guide to setting up one sec on iOS 17+. Learn how to create personal automations in the Shortcuts app to activate interventions and break impulsive habits when opening social media apps.

Last updated 2 months ago

Before you start, make sure you have one sec installed on your device. You can download it for free from the App Store.

Step 1: Open Shortcuts

On your iPhone or iPad, open the Shortcuts app and navigate to the Automation tab at the bottom.

Step 2: Create Automation

Create a personal automation (you might need to tap on + if you already have other automations set up).

Step 3: Select "App"

Scroll through the list of triggers and select App.

Step 4: Configure the Trigger

  1. Tap Choose and select the app you want to use with one sec (e.g., Instagram). ⚠️ Note: Please only select one app here. A separate automation is required for each app to work correctly.

  2. At the bottom, ensure Run Immediately is selected.

  3. Tap Next in the top right corner.

Step 5: Add the Action

Select Create New Shortcut. (Note: If you don't see this option, ensure your device is updated to the latest iOS version. For older versions, please refer to our legacy tutorials.)

Step 6: Search for "one sec"

In the search bar, type "one sec" and select the action: 🅰️ Activate one sec (when app opens).

Step 7: Re-select the App (Critical Step!)

Tap the App variable inside the action block (it will be highlighted in a light blue color) and re-select the same app you chose in Step 4.

⚠️ The automation will not trigger correctly if this step is skipped!

Need help setting up one sec? Get in touch.