Your iPad or Apple Watch may sometimes prompt you to share data with (null) when triggering shortcuts via Siri. Users noticed these notifications started popping up after installing iPadOS 15, and watchOS 8.0, respectively. These alerts can be quite confusing, especially if you’ve never seen this extra step before. The problem is that you can’t launch the shortcut unless you tap “Allow”.
What to Do if Your iPad or Apple Watch Prompts You to Share Data With (Null)
Create a New Shortcut
As a quick workaround, try deleting the problematic shortcut and restart your device. Create a new shortcut, and check if you’re still getting the same alert. Maybe there’s something wrong with the shortcut itself.
If the pop-up persists, on your iPhone, create a new shortcut that runs the original shortcut. First, you need to change the Siri prompt of the original shortcut to something that can’t be read. Use only consonants to get the job done. For example, “Turn off the lights” becomes “wsdfg”, and the prompt would be ” Hey Siri, wsdfg”.
Then, rename the original shortcut the same (wsdfg). After you do that, create a new shortcut that runs the renamed original shortcut. In other words, set the new shortcut to run “wsdfg”.
The trick is to name the new shortcut after the action triggered by the original shortcut. As per the example above, name the new shortcut “Turn off the lights”.
For this method to work, the Siri prompt for the new shortcut needs to use the same name. In our example, the new shortcut prompt should read ” Hey Siri, turn off the lights”. After saving the new settings, wait for two minutes until the changes sync across all your devices. Check the results.
Get the Latest Updates
It seems that this glitch is actually an update-related issue. If you’re running outdated software versions, check for updates and install the latest iPadOS and watchOS updates. Some iPad users confirmed that iPadOS 15.1 and later solved the problem. Unfortunately, Apple Watch users are still getting the same alerts even after installing the latest watchOS release.
Disable Homekit Privacy Toggles
Go to Settings, select Privacy and then tap Homekit. Disable the toggles for the apps that have requested access to home data. Alternatively, you can switch off the toggles only for the shortcuts that showed the pop-up in the first place. Check if you notice any improvements. If you installed eWeLink, Mi Home, Smart Life, or Tuya Smart, start with these apps.
After you do that, the pop-up should appear only once. After tapping “Allow”, it should stop appearing. You can then enable the toggles again after allowing the first shortcut prompt.
Fix for Chrome Shortcuts
If you’re getting these alerts when launching Chrome shortcuts, set the default browser to Chrome, and then use the Safari “Open URL” command, instead of the Chrome “Open URL” command. Your device should then open links in Chrome without displaying the annoying “Allow to share data with (null)” alerts.
If nothing works, contact Apple Support for further help.
Conclusion
If your iPad or Apple Watch shortcuts prompt you to “Allow to share data with (null)”, create a new shortcut that runs the original shortcut. Then, install the latest iPadOS and watchOS updates on your device. If the alert persists, disable all the Homekit privacy toggles for your app shortcuts.
Did you manage to solve the problem? Let us know in the comments below. We’re really curious to learn which method worked for you.
Madalina has been a Windows fan ever since she got her hands on her first Windows XP computer. She is interested in all things technology, especially emerging technologies — AI and DNA computing in particular.
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