If you are actively involved in cryptocurrency and you want real-time price data, notifications and an overview that updates automatically, you can automate a lot with your Mac and iPad. This isn’t just about good-looking graphs but about smart workflows: getting live data, setting triggers, sending notifications, and keeping everything running smoothly without any manual work. Well-chosen automation can save you time, respond faster to price movements and help monitor your portfolio.
You can use Apple’s standard tools such as Shortcuts, Automator or AppleScript on Mac, and widgets on iPad/iOS to automate your crypto investing. If you actually trade or exchange crypto, it is better to choose a reliable broker or look for the best crypto exchanges in the Netherlands. A reliable exchange often offers better data feeds or integrations.
Choose a reliable API for live pricing
Automation starts with data. The gist is that you can retrieve price and volume measures via an API. An API (Application Programming Interface) is the “bridge” between your automation and the exchange or service. For example, one exchange service states that you can get real-time market data, download historical data or even place orders through their API.
What should you pay attention to when choosing an API?
- Availability of real-time or near-real-time data (via REST and/or WebSocket).
- Range of crypto coins: only Bitcoin/Ethereum or also altcoins.
- Rate limits, security and reliability of the provider.
- Integration options: you can automate (for example via scripting) and possibly link it with notifications.
- If you trade: whether the exchange itself offers integrations and whether that exchange is regulated.
If you only want to automate your dashboard but not trade directly, you can use a public market API (from the exchange or a data provider). Then don’t use API keys with trading rights unless you know exactly what you are doing.
Apple itself is also heavily committed to automated functions. The latest AI features in Apple Intelligence show how macOS and iPadOS recognize and process tasks more intelligently.
Workflow on Mac with Automator / AppleScript
On the Mac you can set up a workflow with Automator or AppleScript that, for example, retrieves and processes the price data every x minutes. Apple itself describes how Automator workflows work within macOS.
You create an Automator application or workflow that runs a shell script. In the script you send an HTTP request to the chosen API, parse the JSON response and save relevant data to a file or link it to a mac widget or menu bar app. You can then make settings so that the Mac runs this workflow at set times or when you log in. AppleScript works in the same way: you can make a CURL request with do shell script and show a mac notification with display notification.
This way you run a background process on your Mac that monitors your crypto prices without having to manually refresh every time.
Automate with Shortcuts on iPad (or iPhone)
On iPad or iPhone, you can use the Shortcuts app to create automations that complement your Mac workflow or run independently. Apple’s system offers a surprising number of options here. If you are looking for more examples, you will find a step-by-step explanation of how to create commands and notifications in this guide to automating on iPhone and iPad.
In Shortcuts, create a new command that makes a URL request to your API, parse the JSON, and display the rate or send a notification action (“Show Notification”). In the Shortcuts app you can set up an automation, for example: “When [tijdstip / netwerk / Wi-Fi]”, or “When open app
For example, you can have your iPad or iPhone checked every five minutes to see whether Bitcoin has fallen below a threshold and receive an immediate notification.
Add a widget on your iPad/iPhone
Widgets give you current information at a glance. After creating a Shortcut that retrieves the price, you can make it visible on your home screen.
How to set widget: Hold the home screen until the apps start moving. Tap “+”, choose “Shortcuts”. Add the widget and choose which Shortcut should appear in it. Move the widget to the desired location. From that moment on, you can see the current price at a glance or activate the Shortcut manually.
Tip: combine multiple widgets. For example, one for your total portfolio, one for alert price, one for favorite altcoin.
Set up notifications and triggers
A powerful element of automation is setting triggers and notifications. Consider: price below or above X, volume peaks, your own portfolio value changed, and so on.
- In Automator/AppleScript on Mac: use display notification or macOS Mail/Notifications to alert you.
- In Shortcuts: use the “Show notification” action, or send yourself an email or push notification via a service (if integrated).
- Triggers can be: time (e.g. every 5 min), network event (when your Mac comes out of sleep), price threshold exceeded.
- For reliability: make sure your API key (if used) is properly secured, and that your automation catches failure cases (e.g. no data connection, API error).
With these triggers, your dashboard does not stand still, but actively responds to market changes.
Integration Mac ? iPad for one ecosystem
For a seamless experience, you can combine Mac and iPad automation.
Let the Mac be the “backend”: data retrieval, editing, storing historical data. Let the iPad be the “front end”: widget with overview, Shortcuts visible on your home screen, notifications on the go. Make sure data storage and scripts are in iCloud Drive or shared folder so that Mac and iPad have access to the same data. For example: Mac workflow writes a JSON file with last price in iCloud and iPad-Shortcut reads that file and shows in widget.
Improvements in iOS 26.1 make the connection between iPad and Mac even smoother, especially when using Shortcuts and shared automations. This way you have one consistent automation system and you can stay alert while on the road or remotely.
Additional tips for experienced users
- Use WebSocket APIs when available — they provide real-time updates without constantly sending HTTP requests.
- Add logging: let your workflow on Mac keep a log file with date/time/price values so you can analyze later.
- Consider AppleScript or even a small Mac daemon if you want advanced triggers (like when a certain coin ratio changes).
- Use variables and conditional logic in Shortcuts: for example “if price > €X then highlight in green, otherwise red”.
- Test your automation thoroughly in calm market situations: ensure that messages are correct and no error messages occur.
With this approach you can fully automate your crypto dashboard on Mac and iPad: fetch live data, show widgets, get notifications and set triggers. This way you always stay up to date without having to constantly open your apps manually. Good luck with setting up your workflow!