A few weeks ago, I came across a post on Reddit claiming that Apple had restored the ability to launch specific sections of the Settings app via Shortcuts in iOS and iPadOS 13.1. I was inspired by that discovery to finish working on a project I had long been putting off: documenting all the URLs supported by the Settings app in iOS and iPadOS.

After some a lot of trial and error, I’ve collected 120+ URLs that can open individual pages and sub-sections of the Settings app. In this post, I’m going to share the complete list of URLs that are supported as of iOS and iPadOS 13.1 (specifically, iOS 13.1.2), as well as a custom shortcut to launch them.

The ability to open specific sections of the Settings app isn’t new in iOS 13.1: for several years now, Apple has offered a prefs:root URL scheme designed to launch the Settings app at a specific path. For instance, prefs:root=Bluetooth can open Settings’ Bluetooth page, while prefs:root=ControlCenter&path=CUSTOMIZE_CONTROLS can navigate directly into Settings ⇾ Control Center ⇾ Customize Controls. You get the idea.

Historically, Settings URLs have been affected by two main problems: Apple’s tendency to either break them in new versions of iOS or reject apps that implemented them citing usage of private APIs, and the inconsistent text format used in the URLs themselves. The prefs:root URL scheme goes back several years in iOS’ history, and we’ve seen apps (such as the popular Launcher) implement support for them by letting users open the Settings app at a specific path. A quick Google search demonstrates how, over the years, others have tried to put together a list of all (or, at the very least, the most popular) URLs supported by Settings.

Following two big launches on MacStories last month, I needed to work on something different and fun¹, so I decided to spend a few days documenting all the Settings URLs – for main pages and sub-sections – that I could reliably open in iOS and iPadOS 13.1.

I used pre-existing work as the foundation for my research: I went through old lists of prefs:root URLs (primarily these two) and re-tested each URL for iOS and iPadOS 13.1; some of them were still working, others required an update. Then, I turned my attention to finding the URLs for new Settings pages Apple added over the past couple of years and – the most time-consuming task of all – I tested every single sub-page too.

There is no automated method for discovering Settings URLs or scraping the Settings app: I had to guess each one by starting with the title of each page (in English), trying different encoding and capitalization formats, and attempting to launch it via Shortcuts. It took a while, but it was exactly the kind of boring, repetitive task I needed to take my mind off the iOS 13 review.

Below, you’ll find a list of the 120+ Settings URLs I was able to test in iOS and iPadOS 13.1, grouped by section and listed in the same order they appear in the Settings app.

Some notes on these URLs:

• They can be launched using the ‘Open URLs’ action of the Shortcuts app as of iOS and iPadOS 13.1.2. Apple may kill this functionality again in the future; hopefully, they won’t.
• You may be able to launch these URLs without the Shortcuts app, but I haven’t tested it.
• The URLs are written in English, but they should work for every language you can assign your iOS or iPadOS device. I’ve tested them both in Spanish and Italian and they continued to work.
• I may have missed a few URLs supported by Settings. If you know of any other URLs that are working in iOS or iPadOS 13.1, feel free to get in touch (either via email or Twitter) and I’ll add them to the list below.

In addition to the complete list available below, I’ve also put together a shortcut to launch any of these Settings URLs by picking from a list in the Shortcuts app. The shortcut, called ‘Open Settings’, contains the full list of 120+ Settings URLs and can be used both in the Shortcuts app and widget.

My shortcut to open specific pages of the Settings app. You can take any URL and make a separate shortcut for it.

Open Settings

Open a specific page or sub-section of the Settings app. This shortcut contains over 120 Settings URLs, and you can choose which one to open from a list. You can also create standalone shortcuts for each URL.
The shortcut works in the app, widget, and Siri.

Get the shortcut here.

I’ve created a shortcut with every URL for reference purposes but, honestly, the best way to launch these URLs is with dedicated shortcuts. Grab the Settings URL you want, create a new shortcut with two actions (‘URL’ and ‘Open URLs’), paste the URL, and you’ll have a custom one-tap launcher to open any section of Settings from anywhere.

This is all you need to do to open a Settings URL with Shortcuts.

My favorite way to launch specific pages of Settings is via our own MacStories Shortcuts Icons, which I’ve assigned to different shortcuts on my Home screen. In the screenshot below, you can see a few examples of my Settings launchers for Control Center, Camera settings, and Software Update based on MacStories Shortcuts Icons (including one that will be part of the next free update to the pack).

My Home screen is still in flux (mostly because Silvia made too many icons to choose from, which is a good problem to have), but I like where this is going:

Settings shortcuts on the Home screen (right). The “info” icon will be part of the next free update to MacStories Shortcuts Icons.

It is my goal to keep this list of Settings URLs up to date over time, and I hope that Apple won’t remove the ability to launch prefs:root URLs via the Shortcuts app in future iOS or iPadOS updates.

You can find the full list below.

Updates

October 1, 2019

• Added URLs for Cellular ⇾ Cellular Data Options and Accessibility ⇾ Display & Text Size (thanks, Konstantin)
• Fixed Phone URL
• Removed unsupported Podcasts URL
• As reported by Reddit user ‘PuyoPuyoPrisoner’, it is possible to jump directly to a third-party app’s Settings page by using its Bundle ID. Instructions are available in this Reddit comment. For example, you could access the Adobe Lightroom page in Settings via prefs:root=com.adobe.lrmobilephone (thanks, samesimilar)
• Added URL for Passwords & Accounts page (thanks, Darius)

October 5, 2019

• Added URLs for Passwords & Accounts ⇾ Fetch New Data and Passwords & Accounts ⇾ Add Account (thanks, Jeremy).

December 20, 2019

• Added URLs for Text Replacement, One Handed Keyboard, and TV settings (thanks to Launcher developer Greg Gardner).

April 21, 2020

• Added URL for Settings ⇾ General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ Hardware Keyboard (thanks, Phil). This is best used as a widget shortcut to quickly adjust the Magic Keyboard’s brightness level. You can find the shortcut here.
• Added URL for Safari ⇾ Clear History and Data (thanks, Odenwald).
• Added URL for Safari ⇾ Advanced (thanks, Bill).
• Updated Open Settings shortcut with latest additions.

September 23, 2020

• Revised structure for Mail ⇾ Accounts URLs based on iOS 14
• Added URLs for Privacy -> Analytics & Improvements and Privacy -> Apple Advertising (thanks, Ethan)
• Added new Passwords URL (thanks, Ricky)

November 3, 2020

• Added URL for VPN ⇾ DNS (thanks, Graham)

Settings URLs

iCloud

• iCloud: prefs:root=CASTLE
• iCloud Backup: prefs:root=CASTLE&path=BACKUP

Wireless Radios

• Wi-Fi: prefs:root=WIFI
• Bluetooth: prefs:root=Bluetooth
• Cellular: prefs:root=MOBILE_DATA_SETTINGS_ID

Personal Hotspot

• Personal Hotspot: prefs:root=INTERNET_TETHERING
• Personal Hotspot ⇾ Family Sharing: prefs:root=INTERNET_TETHERING&path=Family%20Sharing
• Personal Hotspot ⇾ Wi-Fi Password: prefs:root=INTERNET_TETHERING&path=Wi-Fi%20Password

VPN

• VPN: prefs:root=General&path=VPN
• DNS: prefs:root=General&path=VPN/DNS

Notifications

• Notifications: prefs:root=NOTIFICATIONS_ID
• Notifications ⇾ Siri Suggestions: prefs:root=NOTIFICATIONS_ID&path=Siri%20Suggestions

Sounds

• Sounds: prefs:root=Sounds
• Ringtone: prefs:root=Sounds&path=Ringtone

Do Not Disturb

• Do Not Disturb: prefs:root=DO_NOT_DISTURB
• Do Not Disturb ⇾ Allow Calls From: prefs:root=DO_NOT_DISTURB&path=Allow%20Calls%20From

Screen Time

• Screen Time: prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME
• Screen Time ⇾ Downtime: prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME&path=DOWNTIME
• Screen Time ⇾ App Limits: prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME&path=APP_LIMITS
• Screen Time ⇾ Always Allowed: prefs:root=SCREEN_TIME&path=ALWAYS_ALLOWED

General

• General: prefs:root=General
• General ⇾ About: prefs:root=General&path=About
• General ⇾ Software Update: prefs:root=General&path=SOFTWARE_UPDATE_LINK
• General ⇾ CarPlay: prefs:root=General&path=CARPLAY
• General ⇾ Background App Refresh: prefs:root=General&path=AUTO_CONTENT_DOWNLOAD
• General ⇾ Multitasking (iPad-only): prefs:root=General&path=MULTITASKING
• General ⇾ Date & Time: prefs:root=General&path=DATE_AND_TIME
• General ⇾ Keyboard: prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard
• General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ Keyboards: prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/KEYBOARDS
• General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ Hardware Keyboard: prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/Hardware%20Keyboard
• General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ Text Replacement: prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/USER_DICTIONARY
• General ⇾ Keyboard ⇾ One Handed Keyboard: prefs:root=General&path=Keyboard/ReachableKeyboard
• General ⇾ Language & Region: prefs:root=General&path=INTERNATIONAL
• General ⇾ Dictionary: prefs:root=General&path=DICTIONARY
• General ⇾ Profiles: prefs:root=General&path=ManagedConfigurationList
• General ⇾ Reset: prefs:root=General&path=Reset

Control Center

• Control Center: prefs:root=ControlCenter
• Control Center ⇾ Customize Controls: prefs:root=ControlCenter&path=CUSTOMIZE_CONTROLS

Display

• Display: prefs:root=DISPLAY
• Display ⇾ Auto Lock: prefs:root=DISPLAY&path=AUTOLOCK
• Display ⇾ Text Size: prefs:root=DISPLAY&path=TEXT_SIZE

Accessibility

• Accessibility: prefs:root=ACCESSIBILITY

Wallpaper

• Wallpaper: prefs:root=Wallpaper

Siri

• Siri: prefs:root=SIRI

Apple Pencil

• Apple Pencil (iPad-only): prefs:root=Pencil

Face ID

• Face ID: prefs:root=PASSCODE

Emergency SOS

• Emergency SOS: prefs:root=EMERGENCY_SOS

Battery

• Battery: prefs:root=BATTERY_USAGE
• Battery ⇾ Battery Health (iPhone-only): prefs:root=BATTERY_USAGE&path=BATTERY_HEALTH

Privacy

• Privacy: prefs:root=Privacy
• Privacy ⇾ Location Services: prefs:root=Privacy&path=LOCATION
• Privacy ⇾ Contacts: prefs:root=Privacy&path=CONTACTS
• Privacy ⇾ Calendars: prefs:root=Privacy&path=CALENDARS
• Privacy ⇾ Reminders: prefs:root=Privacy&path=REMINDERS
• Privacy ⇾ Photos: prefs:root=Privacy&path=PHOTOS
• Privacy ⇾ Microphone: prefs:root=Privacy&path=MICROPHONE
• Privacy ⇾ Speech Recognition: prefs:root=Privacy&path=SPEECH_RECOGNITION
• Privacy ⇾ Camera: prefs:root=Privacy&path=CAMERA
• Privacy ⇾ Motion: prefs:root=Privacy&path=MOTION
• Privacy ⇾ Analytics & Improvements: prefs:root=Privacy&path=PROBLEM_REPORTING
• Privacy ⇾ Apple Advertising: prefs:root=Privacy&path=ADVERTISING

App Store

• App Store: prefs:root=STORE
• App Store ⇾ App Downloads: prefs:root=STORE&path=App%20Downloads
• App Store ⇾ Video Autoplay: prefs:root=STORE&path=Video%20Autoplay

Wallet

• Wallet: prefs:root=PASSBOOK

Passwords

• Passwords: prefs:root=PASSWORDS

Mail

• Mail: prefs:root=MAIL
• Mail ⇾ Accounts: prefs:root=ACCOUNTS_AND_PASSWORDS&path=ACCOUNTS
• Mail ⇾ Accounts ⇾ Fetch New Data: prefs:root=ACCOUNTS_AND_PASSWORDS&path=FETCH_NEW_DATA
• Mail ⇾ Accounts ⇾ Add Account: prefs:root=ACCOUNTS_AND_PASSWORDS&path=ADD_ACCOUNT
• Mail ⇾ Preview: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Preview
• Mail ⇾ Swipe Options: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Swipe%20Options
• Mail ⇾ Notifications: prefs:root=MAIL&path=NOTIFICATIONS
• Mail ⇾ Blocked: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Blocked
• Mail ⇾ Muted Thread Action: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Muted%20Thread%20Action
• Mail ⇾ Blocked Sender Options: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Blocked%20Sender%20Options
• Mail ⇾ Mark Addresses: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Mark%20Addresses
• Mail ⇾ Increase Quote Level: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Increase%20Quote%20Level
• Mail ⇾ Include Attachments with Replies: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Include%20Attachments%20with%20Replies
• Mail ⇾ Signature: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Signature
• Mail ⇾ Default Account: prefs:root=MAIL&path=Default%20Account

Contacts

• Contacts: prefs:root=CONTACTS

Calendar

• Calendar: prefs:root=CALENDAR
• Calendar ⇾ Alternate Calendars: prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Alternate%20Calendars
• Calendar ⇾ Sync: prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Sync
• Calendar ⇾ Default Alert Times: prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Default%20Alert%20Times
• Calendar ⇾ Default Calendar: prefs:root=CALENDAR&path=Default%20Calendar

Notes

• Notes: prefs:root=NOTES
• Notes ⇾ Default Account: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Default%20Account
• Notes ⇾ Password: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Password
• Notes ⇾ Sort Notes By: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Sort%20Notes%20By
• Notes ⇾ New Notes Start With: prefs:root=NOTES&path=New%20Notes%20Start%20With
• Notes ⇾ Sort Checked Items: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Sort%20Checked%20Items
• Notes ⇾ Lines & Grids: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Lines%20%26%20Grids
• Notes ⇾ Access Notes from Lock Screen: prefs:root=NOTES&path=Access%20Notes%20from%20Lock%20Screen

Reminders

• Reminders: prefs:root=REMINDERS
• Reminders ⇾ Default List: prefs:root=REMINDERS&path=DEFAULT_LIST

Voice Memos

• Voice Memos: prefs:root=VOICE_MEMOS

Phone

• Phone: prefs:root=Phone

Messages

• Messages: prefs:root=MESSAGES

FaceTime

• FaceTime: prefs:root=FACETIME

Maps

• Maps: prefs:root=MAPS
• Maps ⇾ Driving & Navigation: prefs:root=MAPS&path=Driving%20%26%20Navigation
• Maps ⇾ Transit: prefs:root=MAPS&path=Transit

Compass

• Compass: prefs:root=COMPASS

Measure

• Measure: prefs:root=MEASURE

Safari

• Safari: prefs:root=SAFARI
• Safari ⇾ Content Blockers: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Content%20Blockers
• Safari ⇾ Downloads: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=DOWNLOADS
• Safari ⇾ Close Tabs: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Close%20Tabs
• Safari ⇾ Clear History and Data: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=CLEAR_HISTORY_AND_DATA
• Safari ⇾ Page Zoom: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Page%20Zoom
• Safari ⇾ Request Desktop Website: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Request%20Desktop%20Website
• Safari ⇾ Reader: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Reader
• Safari ⇾ Camera: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Camera
• Safari ⇾ Microphone: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Microphone
• Safari ⇾ Location: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=Location
• Safari ⇾ Advanced: prefs:root=SAFARI&path=ADVANCED

News

• News: prefs:root=NEWS

Health

• Health: prefs:root=HEALTH

Shortcuts

• Shortcuts: prefs:root=SHORTCUTS

Music

• Music: prefs:root=MUSIC
• Music ⇾ Cellular Data: prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:CellularData
• Music ⇾ Optimize Storage: prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:OptimizeStorage
• Music ⇾ EQ: prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:EQ
• Music ⇾ Volume Limit: prefs:root=MUSIC&path=com.apple.Music:VolumeLimit

TV

• Settings ⇾ TV: prefs:root=TVAPP

Photos

• Photos: prefs:root=Photos

Camera

• Camera: prefs:root=CAMERA
• Camera ⇾ Record Video: prefs:root=CAMERA&path=Record%20Video
• Camera ⇾ Record Slo-mo: prefs:root=CAMERA&path=Record%20Slo-mo

Books

• Books: prefs:root=IBOOKS

Game Center

• Game Center: prefs:root=GAMECENTER