Pro Feature Setup

HolidayMessengerPro Shortcut Setup

Follow this step-by-step guide to set up automated message sending with Apple's Shortcuts app.

⏱️ Setup Time: ~10 minutes 📱 iOS 16+ Required
📋 Before You Start
  • HolidayMessenger app installed (download from App Store)
  • Apple Shortcuts app (comes pre-installed on iOS)
  • About 10 minutes of time

📍 Quick Navigation

🔒

How Security Works

HolidayMessenger uses a secure token system to ensure only you can send messages through your Shortcut:

  • One-Time Use Each token works only once and cannot be reused
  • Device-Bound Tokens are tied to your specific device
  • Time-Limited Tokens expire after 5 minutes
  • App-Validated Every token is verified by the app before messages send
1

Create New Shortcut

Open the Shortcuts app and create a new shortcut.

  • 1. Open Shortcuts App Find it on your iPhone (pre-installed)
  • 2. Tap + (Plus Icon) Located in the top-right corner
  • 3. Tap "Add Action" You'll see a search bar appear
2

Set Up Token & Verification

These actions receive the secure token from HolidayMessenger and verify it.

Action 1: Receive Token Input

  • Search: "Receive" This action appears automatically when you set up Shortcut Input
  • Input Type: "Text" Select "Text" from the dropdown
  • From: "Shortcuts" This allows the app to pass data to the Shortcut

Action 2: Set Token Variable

  • Search: "Set Variable" Tap and search for this action
  • Variable Name: "Token" Type exactly: Token
  • Value: "Shortcut Input" Tap the value field → Select "Shortcut Input" from variables menu

Action 3: Build Verify URL

  • Search: "Text" Add a Text action
  • Type This:
    holidaymessenger://verify?token=
  • Add Token Variable Tap at the end of text → Select "Token" variable

Action 4: Open Verify URL

  • Search: "Open URL" Add this action
  • URL: Select "Text" Choose the Text output from the previous action

Action 5: Wait for Verification

  • Search: "Wait" Add a Wait action
  • Duration: "1" second Type 1 (gives the app time to validate)
3

Get Recipient Data

Retrieve the recipient information from the clipboard.

Action 6: Get Recipients from Clipboard

  • Search: "Get Value for Key" Add this action
  • Key: "recipients" Type exactly: recipients
  • Dictionary: "Clipboard" Tap the field → Select "Clipboard" from the variables menu

Action 7: Store Recipients Variable

  • Search: "Set Variable" Add another Set Variable action
  • Variable Name: "Recipients" Type exactly: Recipients
  • Value: "Dictionary Value" Select the output from the previous "Get Value for Key" action
4

Loop & Send Messages

Loop through each recipient and send their personalized message.

Action 8: Start the Loop

  • Search: "Repeat with Each" This creates a loop for all recipients
  • Input: "Recipients" Select the Recipients variable you created earlier
⚠️ Important: The Next Actions Go INSIDE the Loop All actions from here until "End Repeat" must be inside the loop. They will be indented/nested.

Action 9: Get Phone Number (Inside Loop)

  • Search: "Get Value for Key" Add inside the loop
  • Key: "phone" Type exactly: phone
  • Dictionary: "Repeat Item" Select "Repeat Item" (appears automatically inside the loop)

Action 10: Store Phone Variable (Inside Loop)

  • Search: "Set Variable" Add inside the loop
  • Variable Name: "Phone" Type exactly: Phone
  • Value: "Dictionary Value" Select the output from the previous action

Action 11: Get Message Text (Inside Loop)

  • Search: "Get Value for Key" Add inside the loop
  • Key: "message" Type exactly: message
  • Dictionary: "Repeat Item" Select "Repeat Item"

Action 12: Store Message Variable (Inside Loop)

  • Search: "Set Variable" Add inside the loop
  • Variable Name: "Message" Type exactly: Message
  • Value: "Dictionary Value" Select the output from the previous action

Action 13: Send the Message (Inside Loop)

  • Search: "Send Message" Add inside the loop
  • Recipients: "Phone" Select the Phone variable
  • Message: "Message" Select the Message variable
  • ⚠️ Toggle "Show When Run" to OFF This is critical for automated sending
✅ End Repeat The "End Repeat" action is automatically added by iOS. The loop is now complete!
5

Mark Token as Used

Tell HolidayMessenger the token has been used and messages were sent successfully.

Action 14: Build Complete URL

  • Search: "Text" Add a Text action (outside the loop)
  • Type This:
    holidaymessenger://complete?token=
  • Add Token Variable Tap at the end of text → Select "Token" variable

Action 15: Open Complete URL

  • Search: "Open URL" Add this action
  • URL: Select "Text" Choose the Text output from the previous action

Action 16: Wait for Completion

  • Search: "Wait" Add a final Wait action
  • Duration: "1" second Gives the app time to process
6

Name Your Shortcut

The name MUST be exact for HolidayMessenger to find it!

  • Tap the Shortcut Name At the top of the screen
  • Rename to: "HolidayMessengerPro" Type EXACTLY: HolidayMessengerPro (no spaces, exact capitalization)
  • Tap "Done" Save your Shortcut
⚠️ Critical: Name Must Be Exact The app looks for "HolidayMessengerPro" exactly. Any typo or different capitalization will prevent it from working.
✓

Test Your Shortcut

Time to test it! Start with just 1-2 contacts.

In HolidayMessenger App:

  • 1. Go to Compose Tab Open the HolidayMessenger app
  • 2. Write or Select a Template Choose a message to send
  • 3. Select 1-2 Contacts Keep it small for your first test
  • 4. Tap "Send All (Pro)" The button at the bottom

What Should Happen:

✅ Success Looks Like This:
  1. Shortcuts app opens automatically
  2. You briefly see the app validate the token
  3. Messages app appears for each recipient
  4. Messages are sent automatically
  5. You return to HolidayMessenger with a success screen
  6. History is updated with all sent messages
🔧

Troubleshooting

❌ Problem: Shortcut Doesn't Open

Check These:

  • Shortcut name is exactly "HolidayMessengerPro" (case-sensitive, no spaces)
  • Shortcuts app is installed (it comes with iOS)
  • You granted Shortcuts permission when prompted

❌ Problem: "No Recipients Found" Error

Fix:

  • Make sure you selected contacts before tapping "Send All (Pro)"
  • At least one contact must be selected
  • Check that contacts have phone numbers

❌ Problem: "Token Expired" Error

Fix:

  • Tokens expire after 5 minutes
  • Try sending again immediately
  • If you have many recipients, consider sending in smaller batches

❌ Problem: Messages Show "Dictionary Value" Instead of Phone Numbers

Fix:

  • Make sure "Set Variable" actions for Phone and Message are INSIDE the loop
  • Variable names must be exact: "Phone" and "Message"
  • Check that you're selecting the right output from each action

❌ Problem: Messages Don't Send

Check:

  • Toggle "Show When Run" is OFF in the Send Message action
  • Send Message action is INSIDE the Repeat loop
  • You selected the "Phone" and "Message" variables correctly
🎉 You're All Set!

Your HolidayMessengerPro Shortcut is ready! You can now send personalized messages to all your contacts with a single tap. The secure token system ensures your messages are safe and only you can trigger sends.

Need Help?

If you're stuck or have questions, we're here to help!

Contact Support