Create an iOS Shortcut to Capture, Name, and Save Receipt Images.

In this guide, we'll walk through how to create an iOS Shortcut that takes a photo of a receipt, prompts you to name the image, and then saves it to a specific album in your Photos app. This setup will make it much easier to find your receipts later when you need them.

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Why Use an iOS Shortcut for Receipt Management?

If you've ever lost a paper receipt or struggled to find a digital copy among hundreds of photos, this shortcut will be a game-changer. Here’s why it’s worth setting up:

- Quick and easy – Capture and organise receipts in just a few taps.

- Custom naming – No more guessing; give receipts meaningful names.

- Pre-defined album – All receipts in one place, making them easy to find.

- Paperless tracking – Reduce clutter and keep digital records efficiently.

Step-by-Step Guide to Building the Shortcut

Step 1: Open the Shortcuts App

Before we begin, make sure you have the Shortcuts app installed on your iPhone. It comes pre-installed on iOS devices, but if you've deleted it, you can re-download it from the App Store.

Launch the Shortcuts app and tap the + button in the top right to create a new shortcut.

Step 2: Add the "Take Photo" Action

1. Tap Add Action.

2. In the search bar, type Take Photo and select it from the list.

Step 3: Add the "Ask for Input" Action

After taking the photo, we want to prompt the to name the receipt.

1. Tap the + button to add another action.

2. Search for Ask for Input and select it.

3. Change the prompt to something like: "Enter a name for the receipt:"

4. Set the Input Type to Text.

Step 4: Save the Image with the Given Name

Now that we have the photo and the name, let’s save it properly. Firstly though we need to make sure we have a photos album ready.

To create an album in the iOS Photos app, follow these steps:

1. Open the Photos App

2. Navigate to Albums: Tap the Albums tab at the bottom of the screen.

3. Create a New Album: Tap the Create button at the top left corner of the Albums screen. Then, select New Album from the options provided.

4. Name Your Album: Enter a name for your album and tap Create.

5. Find Your Album: Your new album will appear in the Albums tab, where you can view and edit it further.

Set the name of the image.

1. Add a Set Name action.

2. In the Set Name field, insert the text variable from the Ask for Input action so that the saved image uses the provided name.

3. Add a Save to Photo Album action.

4. Tap Album and choose your newly created album.

Step 5: Test Your Shortcut

Before finalising, run the shortcut by tapping the play button (▶). The camera should open, let you take a photo, prompt for a name, and save the image to your chosen album.

To make capturing receipts even easier, add your shortcut to the home screen:

1. Tap the Share button in the Shortcuts app.

2. Select Add to Home Screen.

3. Choose a relevant icon and name.

Now, one tap from your home screen will launch the shortcut!

Want to add a shortcut to the Control Centre in iOS 18? Here’s how:

1. Swipe down from the top-right corner of your iPhone screen to open Control Centre.

2. Long-press on an empty area in Control Centre to enter edit mode.

3. Tap “Add a Control” at the bottom of the screen.

4. Scroll down or use the search bar to find “Shortcuts”.

5. Tap on “Shortcuts” to select it.

6. Choose the specific shortcut you want to add by tapping “Choose” and selecting from your existing shortcuts.

7. Tap anywhere outside the icons to save and exit edit mode.

Your chosen shortcut will now appear as a button in the Control Centre, so you can quickly access and run it with a single tap.

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Bonus Enhancements

Now that the basic shortcut is working, you can refine it with additional features:

1. Add Date and Time Stamps

Want to automatically add the date to the file name? Modify the Ask for Input step by adding the "Current Date" variable. This way, your receipts will be named something like _"Groceries_2025-03-04.jpg"_.

2. Automatically Share to Notes or Files

If you want a backup outside of the Photos app, add a "Save File" or "Append to Note" action after the image is saved.

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Final Thoughts

With just a few simple steps, you've created a powerful shortcut that makes receipt tracking effortless. No more digging through your camera roll or forgetting where you saved that important expense receipt.

This shortcut is a great example of how iOS automation can streamline everyday tasks. Try it out, tweak it to fit your needs, and let me know if you find any other creative ways to enhance it!

Do you use Shortcuts for organisation? Share your favourite automation tips in the comments below!