🔗 Self-Updating iOS Shortcut System

1. 🌐 The Hosted Update File (Server Side)

This simple text file, hosted online, provides the latest version number and the sharing link for the updated shortcut. You must use a **direct URL** (e.g., GitHub Gist, plain text file on a server).

File Content Structure:

[VERSION_NUMBER]
[NEW_SHORTCUT_ICLOUD_LINK]
        

Example File (`latest.txt`):

2.0
https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/xxxxxxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxx-xxxxxxxxxxxx
        

Action Point: When you update the shortcut, you must **increment the number** on Line 1 and **replace the link** on Line 2, then save the file.

2. 📱 The Shortcut Logic (Client Side)

Place these actions at the **very beginning** of the shortcut you share. They run the version check before executing the main workflow.

• Define Local Version

  Action: Text
  Input: 1.0 (The version of this specific shortcut copy)
  Action: Set Variable to LocalVersion

• Fetch Online Info

  Action: Get Contents of URL
  Input: **Your Hosted File URL** (e.g., https://example.com/latest.txt)

• Separate Data

  Action: Split Text by: New Lines

  Action: Get Item from List at: **Index 1** (The version number)
  Action: Set Variable to OnlineVersion

  Action: Get Item from List at: **Index 2** (The iCloud link)
  Action: Set Variable to NewLink

• Compare and Prompt

  Action: If: OnlineVersion **is greater than** LocalVersion

  Action: Show Alert
  Title: Update Available! (v[OnlineVersion])
  Message: A new version is available! Tap OK to install the update.
  **Button:** Update Now

  Action: Open URL
  Input: NewLink (This opens the new shortcut install page)

  Action: End If

• Main Workflow

  [... The rest of your shortcut's actions start here ...]

3. 🚀 Your Update Routine

Follow these two steps every time you refine your shortcut and want to distribute the new version.

Step	Action	Result
**Generate New Link**	In the Shortcuts app, create a **brand new iCloud sharing link** for your updated shortcut.	A unique link (e.g., https://www.icloud.com/shortcuts/...) is generated.
**Update Web File**	Edit your hosted text file (`latest.txt`): **Increment the version number** and **paste the new link** over the old one.	The next time your friend runs the shortcut, the If condition will be met, and the update will be prompted.