How to Check NYC Subway Times in 2 Seconds (Without Opening an App)
TL;DR: To check NYC subway times in 2 seconds: 1) Download Commutely (free), 2) Set up your home and work stations once, 3) Long-press the app icon and tap your commute. Train times appear on your lock screen instantly via Live Activities.
Most NYC subway apps take 15-20 seconds to show you train times. Open the app, wait for it to load, navigate to your station, find your line... by then, you might have already missed your train.
There's a faster way. Using iOS Quick Actions, you can see train times in about 2 seconds - without ever opening an app. Here's how.
What Are iOS Quick Actions?
Quick Actions are shortcuts that appear when you long-press (press and hold) an app icon on your iPhone. Many apps use them - like composing a new message or starting a timer.
Commutely uses Quick Actions to let you instantly check train times for saved commutes.
Setup (One Time Only)
Step 1: Download Commutely
Get Commutely from the App Store - it's free.
Step 2: Configure Your Stations
Open the app and set up your "work" and "home" stations. Pick the stations you commute from most often, and select which train lines you take.
Step 3: You're Done
That's it. You'll never need to open the app again for your daily commute.
Daily Use: 2 Seconds to Train Times
Step 1: Long-Press the App Icon
Find Commutely on your home screen. Press and hold the icon for about a second. A menu appears with "Leaving Work" and "Leaving Home."
Step 2: Tap Your Commute
Tap whichever applies. Instantly, a Live Activity appears on your lock screen showing your trains.
Step 3: Glance at Your Lock Screen
Your trains appear with real-time countdown rings. On iPhone 14 Pro or later, you'll also see them in the Dynamic Island.
Speed Comparison
MTA App: Wake phone → Find app → Tap → Wait for load → Navigate to station → Find line → 15-20 seconds
Commutely: Long-press icon → Tap commute → See trains → 2 seconds
Pro Tips
- Keep Commutely in your dock for fastest access
- Add a third trip for places you visit regularly (gym, friend's place)
- The Live Activity auto-updates - just keep glancing at your lock screen
Requirements
- iOS 15.0+ for Quick Actions
- iOS 16.2+ for Live Activities
- iPhone 14 Pro+ for Dynamic Island
Frequently Asked Questions
What are iOS Quick Actions?
Quick Actions are shortcuts that appear when you long-press (press and hold) an app icon on your iPhone. Apps can add custom shortcuts here - Commutely uses them to let you instantly check train times for saved commutes without opening the app.
What are Live Activities?
Live Activities are persistent notifications on your iPhone lock screen that update in real-time. Introduced in iOS 16.2, they show time-sensitive information like sports scores, delivery status, or in this case, countdown timers for approaching trains.
What iPhone do I need for this to work?
iOS 15.0+ for Quick Actions, iOS 16.2+ for Live Activities. For Dynamic Island subway times, you need iPhone 14 Pro or later. The core functionality works on any iPhone with iOS 15 or newer.
How much faster is this than the MTA app?
The MTA app typically takes 15-20 seconds: wake phone, find app, tap, wait for load, navigate to station, find line. With Commutely Quick Actions, the entire process takes about 2 seconds: long-press icon, tap commute, see trains on lock screen.