I recently watched a fascinating video by Jeff Su about mobile AI workflows that most people don’t know exist, and I was blown away by the practical tips he shared. As someone who speaks to organizations about maximizing productivity and creating loyal fans, I’m always looking for ways to work smarter, not harder. What struck me most about Jeff’s approach is how he transforms AI from a separate tool into an integrated part of daily mobile use.
The truth is, most of us are barely scratching the surface of what’s possible with AI on our phones. We’re still treating AI as a destination rather than a seamless part of our workflow. The most productive people aren’t the ones with the most advanced AI tools—they’re the ones who’ve built habits that make AI feel like a natural extension of their thinking.
Breaking Down the Friction Between You and AI
The first game-changing habit Jeff highlighted is “drag to ask.” This simple cross-app drag and drop feature has been available on both Android and iPhone for years, but few people use it with AI. I’ve started doing this regularly, and it’s remarkable how much mental friction it removes.
Instead of the tedious process of saving an image, opening another app, and uploading it, I can now long-press on an image or text, use a second finger to swipe out, and drop it directly into ChatGPT or another AI tool. I’ve used this while reviewing contracts on calls—dragging a PDF over to ask questions about specific terms while negotiating.
For apps that don’t support drag and drop, Jeff’s second tip about optimizing your share sheet is brilliant. By moving AI apps to the front of your system share sheet, you create what I call “instant content analysis” capability. Here’s how to set it up:
- On iPhone: Go to any share button, scroll right, tap “More,” click “Edit,” toggle on your AI apps, and drag them next to AirDrop
- On Android: Open any file, click share, and long press on the app to pin it to the top
This small change has saved me countless taps and swipes when I need to quickly analyze content.
The Power of Prompt Snippets
The third habit that transformed my mobile AI use is creating prompt snippet keyboards. Typing long prompts on mobile is painful, but with text replacement shortcuts, I can trigger complex prompts with just a few keystrokes.
I’ve adopted Jeff’s approach of using a “ZZ” prefix for all AI prompt shortcuts. Some of my favorites include:
- ZZANAL – Expands to “Analyze this excerpt. Share the top five takeaways and a clear, concise, and objective summary.”
- ZZIMG – Tells AI to explain what an image contains and extract any text
- ZZLATE – Automatically detects language and translates to English
These shortcuts have become second nature to me now. When a colleague sends me a complex dashboard screenshot, I can share it with AI and type “ZZIMG” to get a quick overview before I’m back at my desk.
Voice Commands and Smart Context
The fourth habit Jeff shared is creating a pocket voice command launcher. By mapping the iPhone action button (or equivalent on Android) to open ChatGPT and start dictation, you can literally speak your thoughts to AI whenever inspiration strikes.
I’ve used this while shopping, researching products, and even brainstorming ideas while walking. The ability to capture and process thoughts without typing has been liberating.
The fifth habit—using a smart context commander—is slightly more advanced but incredibly powerful. This involves creating a custom shortcut that appears in your share sheet and offers different AI actions based on what you’ve selected.
When I highlight text in an article I’m reading, I can tap “AI Actions” and choose between options like “Quick Summary,” “Draft Reply,” or “Explain Like I’m Five.”
This contextual approach means I’m not just using AI—I’m using the right kind of AI assistance for each specific situation.
Building an AI-Native Mindset
What I appreciate most about Jeff’s approach is that it’s not about using more AI—it’s about using AI more naturally. These habits reduce the mental and physical barriers between having a question and getting AI assistance.
As I’ve integrated these habits into my daily routine, I’ve noticed I’m using AI for smaller, more frequent tasks. Instead of only turning to AI for big projects, it’s becoming my go-to for quick analyses, translations, and idea refinement.
The key takeaway isn’t just these specific techniques—it’s the mindset shift toward making AI a seamless part of how we process information. By building these habits, we’re training ourselves to think differently about what’s possible with the tools we already have.
If you’re looking to level up your productivity, start with just one of these habits and practice it until it becomes automatic. Then add another. Before long, you’ll find yourself working in ways you never thought possible on a mobile device.
