- Siri’s shortcut “I’m being stopped” was created to keep you safe during police traffic stops and to record the scene.
- After activating the shortcut, it will activate Do Not Disturb, send your location to designated contacts, and begin recording the video.
- You can download the Siri shortcut for free and configure it using your iPhone’s Shortcuts app.
- Visit the Insider technical reference library for more stories.
Launched as part of Apple’s iOS 12 update, the Shortcuts app allows you to create automated routines for your phone. In other words, with the Shortcuts app, you can say a phrase or touch a button and your phone will perform multiple tasks at the same time.
Although it is designed to allow you to create your own shortcuts, you can also download predefined shortcuts from third-party applications or developers.
Arizona resident Robert Petersen used this update to create his own third-party shortcut, initially known as “Police” and now known as “I’m being stopped”. It aims to assist users during traffic stops, automatically recording their interactions with police officers.
See how to download and configure the “I’m being interrupted” shortcut and activate it with Siri.
How the shortcut “Siri, I’m being interrupted” works
First developed in 2018, the shortcut activates the Do Not Disturb feature, turning off all incoming calls, messages and notifications. This reduces the chance that a police officer will be startled by the touch or blink of your phone and act aggressively.
It will then send a text message with your current location to all of the contacts you previously selected.
At the same time, your phone will start recording a video with the front camera (that is, the camera above the phone screen).
These are the default settings, but you can customize them in a variety of ways – for example, you can configure them to record with the rear camera.
How to download the “Siri, I’m being late” shortcut
Enable unreliable shortcuts on your iPhone
Since the shortcut was created by a third party, your iPhone will consider it an “untrusted” shortcut. This means that you will need to adjust your phone’s settings before downloading and using it.
1 Open the Settings app and tap Shortcuts. Depending on your version of iOS, it will be listed with the other iOS apps or with the larger list of apps at the bottom.
You can also find the Shortcuts menu using the search bar.
Abbey White / Insider
two Enable Allow untrusted shortcuts. Again, remember that before selecting this, you will need to create and run at least one “trusted” shortcut.
You will need to authorize third party shortcuts to use I am being interrupted.
Ennica Jacob / Insider
3 – A pop-up window will alert you to potential risks. To continue, tap “Allow” and enter your password.
Download the shortcut
1 Open this link in your iPhone’s Safari browser.
two The Shortcuts application will open, listing all of the shortcut’s features. At the bottom, touch “Add untrusted shortcut”.
Add the shortcut first and manage the other settings later.
Ennica Jacob / Insider
3 – Choose which contacts will receive a message with your location. Then click “Continue”.
4 – Then, select which contacts will receive a copy of the video.
5 Now select “Done”.
You can select more than one contact to be notified when using the shortcut.
Ennica Jacob / Insider
6 Back on the My Shortcuts tab, tap on “All Shortcuts” and then on the three dots (…) on the shortcut I’m being pulled up.
7 Scroll down to the “Location” section and select “Allow access” and touch “Allow while using the app”.
You will need to enable location services to use the shortcut.
Ennica Jacob / Insider
8 Scroll down to the Messages, Camera and Photo sections and do the same thing – tap “Allow access” and then “OK”.
You will need to grant shortcut access to your other applications.
Ennica Jacob / Insider
9 In the Camera section, select Front or Rear, depending on the camera you want to start recording with.
The I’m being pulled shortcut will prompt you to choose between the front and rear camera.
Ennica Jacob / Insider
10 Scroll down to the “Choose from menu” script settings and choose where to store your video when the shortcut ends. You will have the following options:
- iCloud Drive
- Dropbox
- Do not charge
You can tap one of the less red options to delete a location or the green plus sign to add one.
You can add and remove storage services from the shortcut.
Ennica Jacob / Insider
11 When done, choose “Done” to confirm your settings.
How to activate the “Siri, I’m being interrupted” shortcut
After setting it up, activating the shortcut is easy.
1 Activate Siri by pressing and holding the lock button or the Home button, depending on your iPhone model. If enabled, you can also say “Hey, Siri”.
two When Siri is listening, say “I’m being stopped”.
The shortcut will be activated.
Alternatively, you can open the Shortcuts app and tap the “I’m being pulled” button on the My Shortcuts tab.