Step-by-step process for individual mass texting on iOS 18.6 using Shortcuts

Here is a shortcut I created previously: Send Message to Several Contacts. This particular shortcut also allows you to attach a file (an image, for instance). If you don't need this functionality, delete the 2nd action ("Select Files") and delete the "file" variable in the Send action:

I admit I haven't tested the shortcut thoroughly; I didn't want to spam my contacts with test messages. I'm not sure what the issue could be, though. (I haven't got any request to grant permission during testing.)

I created another shortcut based on phone numbers instead:

I'm thinking that using phone numbers (instead of contacts) shouldn't require permission. Could you see if it works better? (note: you can add multiple phone numbers by clicking the "+" icon in the 1st action.)

Thanks for giving it a shot.

I could only test this new version with 2 contacts (my personal and Google Voice phone numbers). The shortcut ran fine twice and I was not prompted for permission.

I don't understand why only 2 contacts (out of 4) receive the message. Is there any difference between those contacts? Could some be iPhone users and others not?

I don't understand either why the prompt you show mentions 19 contacts. Bug in Shortcuts?

I know that the Shortcuts application has settings you can change to share "large amount of data." This could be the issue here. Try to tap on the Show button in your screenshot to see where it leads. Otherwise, go to Settings > Apps > Shortcuts and "Allow large amount of data."

EDIT: Here is the link to the new shortcut in case you need it: Message Predefined Phone Numbers Individually.

When you run the shortcut, you'll be prompted to select the contacts. The shortcut is coded to be as flexible as possible.

If you'd prefer a shortcut that always sends messages to the same people, let me know. I'll look into it.

Here it is: Send Message to Predefined Contacts.

You will need to edit the shortcut to set the predefined contacts:

1. Edit the shortcut in Shortcuts.
2. Tap the word "Contacts" in the 1st action and select a contact. You will then see a "+" icon next to that contact.
3. Tap the "+" icon to add another contact. Repeat as many times as you need.

I have been searching for something like this and thought I found it. Thank you 6x6 for sharing, but when I run the shortcut, it asks permission to contact some of the contacts but not all. It still sent to all. When I tried to send a second message, it says something about trying to send to 19 contacts which isn’t allowed (I only had 4 contacts in there) and then it only sent to the two it had asked permission for, and not the other two. Any ideas? Thank you!

Thank you so much for responding. I didn’t see a download in your post so I just changed the one you had previously given to mirror your latest message. First text works but after asking permission for 2 of the 4. Second one failed with the same error. I’m lost but really appreciate you trying.

[Edited by Moderator]

Thank you. The 2 it sends to are the 2 it asked permission for in the first place (see below photo for that). One number is an Android, but it is sending to that number. Maybe it is a bug. I’ll uninstall Shortcuts and then reinstall.

[Edited by Moderator]

It is encouraging that it worked for you. Maybe I do have a bug in my app. I’m not using the one with the photos because I wanted to use the predefined list of contacts. I also wasn’t sure how to skip the add photo part. I’ll keep playing. Thanks!

There maybe something else you could try to debug the contacts issue: A simpler shortcut with only a "Send Message" action:

The "Show When Run", being turned on, will show the Messages interface. So it won't send the message right away but it should process the list of contacts you chose (and hopefully display a permission prompt) and you should see the chosen contacts in the Messages interface. Make sure you see all your 4 contacts there.

[Edited by Moderator]

That sends it as a group message. Uninstalling and reinstalling shortcuts didn’t work either. Tried with and without Android…nothing. I’m trying to make this work for my Mom. Will have her try it on her phone. Maybe it is an issue with my specific phone. Thanks again! You are awesome.

Everything appears to work as you described, thanks for the great tool. The number entry is a little tedious but works. Now how can I edit the contact list? I can copy and paste elsewhere to review, but pasting a list back in didn’t seem to work. Only the first number was used.

Hi FreyK,

Which version of the shortcut are you using? The one based on contacts or the one based on phone numbers? I admit I have tried copying and pasting contacts or phone numbers in the shortcut.

Could you tell me more about what you are trying to do? Are you editing the contacts often and, if so, what is the purpose? I’m asking to see if we could find another, more convenient way to achieve the same result.