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    iPhone SMS tracking and Shortcuts

    Tab.it is an expense tracking app for iPhone and Android. On iPhone it cannot read SMS directly — iOS does not permit it — so it uses a personal automation in Apple's Shortcuts app instead. These answers cover why that is, what the SMS token does, and what to check when the automation stops working.

    Why is SMS tracking different on iOS than on Android?

    iPhone only

    Apple doesn't let any app read your Messages in the background. So instead of reading SMS directly, Tab.it on iOS uses Apple Shortcuts: you set up a personal automation that, when a bank message arrives, hands that message to Tab.it using your private SMS token. It's a one-time setup and then runs automatically.

    What is an iOS SMS Token and how do I use it?

    iPhone only

    Your SMS token is a private key that ties your iPhone's Shortcut to your Tab.it account, so forwarded messages are processed as your expenses — securely and only by you. It's generated for your account and stored on your device.

    1. Go to Settings → iOS SMS Token.
    2. Generate (or regenerate) your token. When it shows "ACTIVE & ON DEVICE", your device has a working token.

    The token is what your Shortcuts automation uses; you never type it anywhere manually.

    How do I set up the iOS Shortcuts automation?

    iPhone only

    Follow the guided setup, which walks you through creating an Apple Shortcuts automation that forwards bank messages to Tab.it with your token.

    • In-app: Settings → iOS SMS Token → iOS SMS Setup Guide (numbered, step-by-step).
    • Full web walkthrough (with screenshots): open the web setup guide below (tabit.today/ios-shortcut-setup).

    Overview of the steps:

    1. Make sure your SMS token is active.
    2. Open the Shortcuts app and create an automation triggered by messages from your bank.
    3. Have it send the message text to Tab.it.

    Web setup guide

    My iOS automation stopped working

    iPhone only

    Almost always it's the token or the Shortcut:

    1. Go to Settings → iOS SMS Token and check the badge. If it doesn't say "ACTIVE & ON DEVICE", tap Regenerate Token (this can happen after reinstalling the app).
    2. Open the Auto Tracking Guide and re-check your Shortcuts automation is still enabled and pointed at Tab.it.

    Full troubleshooting with screenshots: tabit.today/ios-shortcut-setup.