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📚Productivity

Build a Reading Timer Shortcut for iPhone

The readers who finish the most books aren't necessarily the fastest readers — they're the most consistent. A reading timer shortcut for iPhone makes consistency easy: it starts a timed reading session, enables Do Not Disturb so nothing interrupts you, and logs your minutes to a running reading streak. You always know exactly how much you've read this week, and the streak keeps you honest.

How this reading timer shortcut works

Tap the shortcut and choose your session length — 20, 30, or 45 minutes. It enables Focus mode immediately, starts the timer, and opens your reading app. When time is up, it vibrates three times and logs the session to your reading streak note in Apple Notes with the date and duration. A monthly total builds automatically from your daily logs.

How to build this shortcut

1

Go to getturin.com and describe your reading session (e.g., 'Start a 30-minute reading timer, enable DND, and log the session to a reading streak note').

2

Turin builds the shortcut in seconds.

3

Tap 'Install' to add it to Apple Shortcuts.

Why use this shortcut

Builds a reading streak

Daily session logs accumulate into a weekly and monthly reading total you can actually track.

Auto Focus mode

Do Not Disturb enables at the start of every session so nothing pulls you out of your book.

Works with any reading app

Opens Kindle, Apple Books, or any other app you prefer — you choose during setup.

Ready to build this?

Build this shortcut in seconds.

Just describe it in plain English and tap install. No coding, no App Store, no subscription.

Build this shortcut free

Works on iPhone, iPad, and Mac. Installs in one tap.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Build a Reading Timer Shortcut shortcut free?

Yes. You can build and install this shortcut using Turin's free tier. No subscription, no App Store download required — just describe what you want and tap install.

Which iPhone, iPad, and Mac models does this shortcut support?

This shortcut works on any iPhone, iPad, or Mac running iOS 16 / iPadOS 16 / macOS Ventura or later. Install it directly from Safari in one tap.

Does this shortcut need an internet connection to run?

No. Once installed the shortcut runs entirely on-device using Apple's built-in Shortcuts app. An internet connection is only needed during the initial build and install step.

Can I customise this shortcut after installing it?

Absolutely. You can describe any changes to Turin and get a new version in seconds, or open the shortcut in the Apple Shortcuts app and edit the actions directly.