Apple's Shortcuts app offers a "Wait" action for short pauses, but it's unreliable for longer durations. This limitation stems from iOS's background app restrictions. A clever workaround uses custom Focus modes to achieve extended waits, but this method has a trade-off.

The "Wait" action is handy for brief delays within Shortcuts, allowing you to, for example, pause execution for 30 seconds to let an app load. However, delays exceeding a few minutes become problematic. The app's background limitations cause the "Wait" action to prematurely stop counting, disrupting the shortcut's flow.

The Need for Longer Waits

Many scenarios demand longer pauses. For instance, creating a Pomodoro timer that plays music for 25 minutes and then announces a break requires a wait far exceeding the "Wait" action's capabilities.

The Custom Focus Workaround

The solution leverages the "Set Focus" action. By setting a custom Focus mode with a specific end time (e.g., 25 minutes from now), you can create a long pause. This involves splitting your shortcut into two:

1. First Shortcut: Performs pre-wait actions and activates the custom Focus mode with the desired duration.
2. Second Shortcut: Executes post-wait actions and is triggered automatically when the custom Focus mode ends.

Creating a Custom Focus Mode

To avoid conflicts with your regular Focus modes, create a dedicated one (up to 10 are allowed). Navigate to Settings > Focus, tap " ", select "Custom", name it (e.g., "Timer"), and customize as needed.

Building the Pomodoro Timer Shortcuts

Shortcut 1 (Pre-Wait):

1. Set playback destination (HomePod).
2. Play music.
3. Get current date.
4. Adjust date (add 25 minutes).
5. Set Focus (Timer Focus, turn on at adjusted time).

Shortcut 2 (Post-Wait):

1. Pause music on HomePod.
2. Use Intercom to announce the break.

Linking Shortcuts with Automation:

Create an automation triggered by the "Timer" Focus turning off. Set it to run Shortcut 2 immediately.

This setup creates a reliable long wait. However, remember that using this method disables other Focus modes during the wait period. Activating a different Focus will prematurely end the timer. This workaround provides a functional solution for extended waits in Shortcuts but requires careful consideration of its limitations.

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