Why App Combinations Matter

Using standalone productivity apps can help you accomplish specific tasks, but they often work in silos. By combining apps that integrate well together, you can:

  • Eliminate redundant tasks and data entry
  • Create seamless workflows that span multiple apps
  • Access information from multiple sources in one place
  • Automate complex processes with minimal effort
  • Maximize your productivity with minimal time investment

Native iOS App Combinations

Apple's native iOS apps are designed to work together seamlessly. Here are some powerful combinations:

1. Notes + Reminders + Calendar

This trio forms the backbone of many productivity workflows:

  • Notes: Capture ideas, create checklists, and store reference materials
  • Reminders: Set deadlines and receive notifications for tasks
  • Calendar: Schedule meetings and block time for focused work

Integration tips:

  1. Create a note and add a reminder by tapping the share button > Reminders
  2. Add a note to a calendar event by tapping Add Attachment > Notes
  3. Use Siri to create notes, reminders, and calendar events simultaneously

For more tips on using Notes, check out our article on How to use iOS Notes as a project management tool.

2. Files + iCloud Drive + Third-Party Cloud Storage

Manage all your files in one place with this combination:

  • Files: Access and organize files from all sources in one app
  • iCloud Drive: Store and sync files across all your Apple devices
  • Third-Party Cloud Storage: Integrate services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and OneDrive

Integration tips:

  1. Open Files > Browse > More Locations to add third-party storage services
  2. Use drag and drop to move files between different storage providers
  3. Set up automatic syncing between iCloud Drive and third-party services

For more tips on file management, check out our article on iPhone file management tips for iCloud & third-party storage.

3. Shortcuts + Any Native App

The Shortcuts app is the ultimate tool for creating app combinations:

  • Automate repetitive tasks that span multiple apps
  • Create custom workflows for specific use cases
  • Trigger shortcuts with Siri, widget taps, or automation rules

Example shortcuts:

  1. "Morning Routine": Open Calendar, check weather, play music, and start a timer
  2. "Meeting Prep": Open relevant notes, set a reminder, and check traffic conditions
  3. "Save to Archive": Save emails to Notes and add to a specific folder in Files

For more tips on using Shortcuts, check out our article on iOS Shortcuts for email automation (save 1hr/day).

4. Safari + Notes + Bookmarks

Enhance your web browsing and research workflow:

  • Safari: Browse the web and save useful information
  • Notes: Capture web content and organize research materials
  • Bookmarks: Save important websites for quick access

Integration tips:

  1. Use the Share button > Add to Notes to save web content to a note
  2. Create bookmark folders for different projects or topics
  3. Use Safari's Reading List to save articles for later reading

Native + Third-Party App Combinations

Combine Apple's native apps with powerful third-party tools for even greater productivity:

1. Notes + Notion

This combination bridges the gap between simple note-taking and complex project management:

  • Notes: Quick capture of ideas and on-the-go notes
  • Notion: Comprehensive project management and knowledge base

Integration tips:

  1. Use the Share button > Notion to save notes to specific databases
  2. Embed Notion pages in Notes for quick reference
  3. Sync key information between both apps for consistency

2. Reminders + Todoist

Get the best of both worlds with this task management combination:

  • Reminders: Quick task creation and location-based reminders
  • Todoist: Advanced task management with priorities, labels, and projects

Integration tips:

  1. Use Shortcuts to automatically send Reminders to Todoist
  2. Set up Todoist to sync with your Calendar for a unified view
  3. Use Reminders for quick capture and Todoist for long-term task management

3. Calendar + Fantastical

Enhance your scheduling with this combination:

  • Calendar: Basic scheduling and native integration
  • Fantastical: Advanced calendar features and natural language input

Integration tips:

  1. Set Fantastical to sync with your iOS Calendar
  2. Use Fantastical's natural language input to quickly create events
  3. Take advantage of Fantastical's advanced features like weather integration and time zone support

4. Voice Memos + Otter.ai

Supercharge your meeting notes with this audio transcription combination:

  • Voice Memos: Quick and easy audio recording
  • Otter.ai: Advanced transcription with speaker identification

Integration tips:

  1. Record meetings with Voice Memos and import to Otter.ai for transcription
  2. Use Otter.ai's collaboration features to share transcriptions with team members
  3. Export transcriptions to Notes or Google Docs for further editing

For more tips on using Voice Memos, check out our article on How to use iOS Voice Memos for meeting transcription.

5. Photos + Lightroom Mobile

Take your photo editing to the next level:

  • Photos: Basic editing and organization
  • Lightroom Mobile: Professional editing with presets and advanced tools

Integration tips:

  1. Use the Share button > Open in Lightroom to edit Photos in Lightroom
  2. Save edited photos back to Photos for easy sharing
  3. Use Lightroom presets for consistent editing across multiple photos

Third-Party App Combinations

Some of the most powerful app combinations involve third-party tools designed to work together:

1. Notion + Todoist + Google Drive

This all-in-one combination covers project management, task tracking, and file storage:

  • Notion: Project management and knowledge base
  • Todoist: Task management and productivity tracking
  • Google Drive: File storage and collaboration

Integration tips:

  1. Embed Google Drive files in Notion pages
  2. Link Todoist tasks to Notion pages for context
  3. Use Zapier or Make to automate workflows between all three apps

2. Evernote + Trello + Slack

Perfect for team collaboration:

  • Evernote: Note-taking and information storage
  • Trello: Visual project management and task tracking
  • Slack: Team communication and collaboration

Integration tips:

  1. Share Evernote notes in Slack channels
  2. Create Trello cards from Slack messages
  3. Use Evernote's Trello integration to attach notes to cards

3. Drafts + Things + Shortcuts

For power users who need a flexible workflow:

  • Drafts: Quick text capture and editing
  • Things: Task management with a clean interface
  • Shortcuts: Automation between apps

Integration tips:

  1. Use Shortcuts to send text from Drafts to Things as tasks
  2. Create custom actions in Drafts to automate common workflows
  3. Use Things' integration with Calendar to schedule tasks

4. Bear + Ulysses + iCloud Drive

For writers and content creators:

  • Bear: Note-taking with beautiful typography
  • Ulysses: Professional writing and publishing
  • iCloud Drive: Sync between devices

Integration tips:

  1. Export notes from Bear to Ulysses for long-form writing
  2. Use iCloud Drive to sync content between both apps
  3. Take advantage of both apps' markdown support for consistent formatting

5. Spark + Todoist + Fantastical

For email-heavy workflows:

  • Spark: Advanced email management with smart folders
  • Todoist: Task management from emails
  • Fantastical: Calendar integration for scheduling

Integration tips:

  1. Create Todoist tasks directly from Spark emails
  2. Schedule meetings from Spark emails using Fantastical
  3. Use Spark's smart folders to prioritize important emails

For more tips on email automation, check out our article on iOS Shortcuts for email automation (save 1hr/day).

Creating Your Own App Combinations

To create effective app combinations that work for you:

1. Identify Your Workflow

Start by mapping out your current workflow and identifying pain points:

  1. Write down the tasks you perform regularly
  2. Note where you encounter bottlenecks or redundant steps
  3. Identify what information needs to flow between apps

2. Research Integration Options

Look for apps that integrate well with your existing tools:

  • Check the App Store description for integration information
  • Look for apps that support Shortcuts, Zapier, or Make
  • Read reviews to see how other users combine the app with others

3. Start Small

Don't try to combine too many apps at once:

  1. Start with 2-3 apps that solve your most pressing workflow issue
  2. Master the integration between these apps before adding more
  3. Gradually add more apps as you become comfortable with the workflow

4. Test and Refine

Continuously improve your app combinations:

  1. Use the combination for a week and note what works and what doesn't
  2. Look for ways to streamline or automate steps
  3. Be willing to replace apps that don't integrate well

Tools for App Integration

Here are some tools that can help you integrate apps:

1. Shortcuts

Apple's built-in automation tool allows you to create workflows between apps:

  • Create custom shortcuts with actions from multiple apps
  • Trigger shortcuts with Siri, widget taps, or automation rules
  • Share shortcuts with others

2. Zapier

A web-based automation tool that connects over 5,000 apps:

  • Create "Zaps" that automate workflows between apps
  • No coding required - use a visual interface
  • Choose from thousands of pre-built zaps

3. Make

Formerly Integromat, Make is a powerful automation tool with advanced features:

  • Create complex workflows with multiple steps
  • Use conditional logic and filters
  • Support for more advanced integrations

4. IFTTT

If This Then That is a simple automation tool for everyday tasks:

  • Create "applets" that trigger actions based on specific events
  • Easy to use for beginners
  • Great for simple automations

Best Practices for App Combinations

To get the most out of your iOS productivity apps combination:

1. Keep It Simple

Don't overcomplicate your workflows with too many apps:

  • Stick to apps that solve specific problems
  • Avoid redundant apps that do the same thing
  • Focus on quality over quantity

2. Prioritize Integration

When choosing apps, prioritize those that integrate well:

  • Look for apps that support open standards like OAuth and API access
  • Choose apps from developers that prioritize integration
  • Avoid apps that work in isolation

3. Sync Data Regularly

Ensure your data stays consistent across apps:

  • Set up automatic syncing where possible
  • Manually sync data when necessary
  • Check for duplicate or conflicting data regularly

4. Back Up Your Data

With data spread across multiple apps, backups are crucial:

  • Use iCloud or another cloud service to back up your data
  • Back up important information to multiple locations
  • Test your backups regularly to ensure they work

For more tips on file management and backups, check out our article on iPhone file management tips for iCloud & third-party storage.

Conclusion

The iOS productivity apps combination creates a 1+1>2 effect that can significantly enhance your workflow and productivity. By combining native iOS apps with powerful third-party tools and using automation to streamline processes, you can accomplish more in less time.

Remember, the best app combinations are the ones that work for your specific needs. Take the time to experiment, test different combinations, and refine your workflows until you find the perfect setup for you.

For more productivity tips, check out our article on iPhone productivity tips for remote workers 2025.