Add Backpocket to your iPhone share sheet

iPhone doesn't let web apps join the share sheet directly, so a free Apple Shortcut does it. Set it up once, in about 2 minutes, then tap Share and Backpocket in Instagram, TikTok, YouTube or anywhere else.

  1. Create the shortcut

    Open the Shortcuts app and tap + to make a new shortcut. Tap the i button in the bottom bar and turn on Show in Share Sheet.

    The bottom bar of the Shortcuts editor. The i button is in the middle, between the redo and share buttons.

  2. Choose what it receives

    A Receive block appears at the top. Tap its blue input types and make sure URLs and Text are on. Leaving the rest on is fine, it then reads "Apps and 18 more". Leave If there's no input on Continue.

    The block reads: Receive Apps and 18 more from Share Sheet. If there's no input: Continue.

  3. Find the link

    Search for Get URLs from Input and add it. It should read Get URLs from Shortcut Input.

    The block reads: Get URLs from Shortcut Input.

  4. Handle shares with no link

    Add If and set the condition to URLs does not have any value. Inside it, add Text and insert the Shortcut Input variable.

    An If block reading: If URLs does not have any value. Below it, a Text block containing Shortcut Input.

  5. Handle shares with a link

    Under Otherwise, add another Text and insert the URLs variable.

    An Otherwise block, followed by a Text block containing URLs.

  6. Encode the result

    Below End If, add URL Encode and set its input to If Result.

    An End If block, followed by a block reading: URL Encode If Result.

  7. Open Backpocket

    Add Open URLs and paste this link:

    https://backpocketapp.pages.dev/?url=

    Then insert the URL Encoded Text variable straight after it, with no space in between.

    The block reads: Open https://backpocketapp.pages.dev/?url= followed by URL Encoded Text.

  8. Name it

    Tap the name at the top, choose Rename and call it Backpocket. Then tap Choose Icon to pick one.

    The top of the Shortcuts editor, with the shortcut's icon and the name Backpocket in the centre.

Try it

Open any app, tap Share and choose Backpocket. Backpocket opens with the link filled in, ready to save. Some apps show their own share menu first, so look for More or Share to to reach iPhone's list.

Good to know

The Shortcut opens Backpocket in Safari. iPhone keeps a home-screen app's storage separate from Safari's, so sign in to Backpocket in Safari too. Links saved from the share sheet then sync to the same account as your home-screen app.