How to use the Siri 'I'm Getting Pulled Over' shortcut to record police encounters during traffic stops with your iPhone

Ennica Jacob

Feb 20, 2021, 5:41 AM

A young woman being stopped at night by police.

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• The Siri "I'm Getting Pulled Over" shortcut is made to keep you safe during police traffic stops, and record the scene.
• Once you activate the shortcut, it'll turn on Do Not Disturb, send your location to designated contacts, and start recording video.
• You can download the Siri shortcut for free, and set it up using your iPhone's Shortcuts app.
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Launched as part of Apple's iOS 12 update, the Shortcuts app lets you create automated routines for your phone. In other words, with the Shortcuts app, you can say a phrase or tap a button, and your phone will perform multiple tasks at once.

Although it's made to let you create your own shortcuts, you can also download pre-made shortcuts from third-party apps or developers.

Arizona resident Robert Petersen used this update to create his own third-party shortcut, initially known as "Police" and now known as "I'm Getting Pulled Over." It aims to assist users during traffic stops by automatically recording their interactions with police officers.

Here's how to download and set up the "I'm Getting Pulled Over" shortcut, and then activate it with Siri.

How the "Siri, I'm getting pulled over" shortcut works

First developed in 2018, the shortcut activates the Do Not Disturb feature, turning off all incoming calls, messages, and notifications. This is to reduce the chance that a police officer will be startled by your phone ringing or flashing, and act aggressively.

Next, it'll send a text message with your current location to all the contacts that you've selected beforehand.

At the same time, your phone will start recording a video with the front camera (i.e. the one above the phone's screen).

These are the default settings, but you can customize them in various ways — for example, you can set it so it records with the rear camera instead.

How to download the "Siri, I'm Getting Pulled Over" shortcut

Enable Untrusted Shortcuts on your iPhone

Since the shortcut is made by a third-party, your iPhone will consider it an "untrusted" shortcut. This means you'll need to adjust your phone settings before you download and use it.  

Important: Before you can enable untrusted shortcuts, you'll need to run at least one "trusted" shortcut. If you haven't done this yet, open the Shortcuts app and set up — then run — one of the "Starter Shortcuts." It should only take a few moments.

1. Open your Settings app and tap on Shortcuts. Depending on your version of iOS, it'll either be listed with the other iOS apps, or with the larger list of apps at the bottom.

You can also find the Shortcuts menu using the search bar.

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2. Toggle on Allow Untrusted Shortcuts. Again, remember that before you can select this, you'll have to create and run at least one "trusted" Shortcut.

You'll need to authorize third-party shortcuts to use I'm Getting Pulled Over.

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3. A pop-up window will warn you of potential risks. To continue, tap "Allow," and then enter your passcode.

Download the shortcut

1. Open this link in your iPhone's Safari browser.

2. The Shortcuts app will open, listing all of the shortcut's features. At the bottom, tap "Add Untrusted Shortcut."

Add the shortcut first and manage the other settings later.

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3. Choose which contacts will receive a message with your location. Then hit "Continue."

4. Next, select which contacts will receive a copy of the video.

5. Now select "Done."

You can select more than one contact to be notified when you use the shortcut.

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6. Back on the My Shortcuts tab, tap "All Shortcuts," and then tap the three dots (...) on the I'm getting pulled over shortcut.

7. Scroll down to the "Location" section and select "Allow Access," then tap "Allow While Using App."

You'll need to enable location services to use the shortcut.

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8. Scroll down to the Messages, Camera, and Photo sections and do the same thing — tap "Allow Access," and then "OK."

You'll need to grant the shortcut access to your other apps.

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9. In the Camera section, select Front or Back depending on what camera you want to start the recording with.

The I'm Getting Pulled Over shortcut will ask you to choose between your front and back camera.

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10. Scroll down to the Scripting "Choose from Menu" settings and choose where to store your video when the shortcut ends. You'll have the following options: 

• iCloud Drive
• Dropbox 
• Do not upload

You can tap one of the red minus options to delete a location, or the green plus to add one.

You can add and remove storage services from the shortcut.

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11. When complete, choose "Done" to confirm your settings.

How to activate the "Siri, I'm getting pulled over" shortcut

Once you've set it up, activating the shortcut is easy.

1. Activate Siri by holding down the lock button or Home button, depending on your iPhone model. If you have it enabled, you can also say "Hey, Siri."

2. Once Siri is listening, say "I'm getting pulled over."

The shortcut will activate.

Alternatively, you can open the Shortcuts app and tap the "I'm getting pulled over" button in your My Shortcuts tab.