# Data Jar — Data Store for Shortcuts

> Persistent key-value data store for automation workflows. (iPhone/iPad app by Simon B. Støvring.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/data-jar/id1453273600 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Simon B. Støvring](https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907)
- Category: Utilities, Productivity
- Price: Free with in-app purchases
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 857 App Store ratings · 138 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 7 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-04-14
- Data updated: 2026-08-21
- Monetization: free with in-app purchases
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/data-jar/id1453273600/reviews.md

## What is Data Jar?

Data Jar is a data store designed to be used with Shortcuts. The data store lets you persist key-value pairs.

If you have used dictionaries and lists in Shortcuts, then you’ll find that the data format used by Data Jar is very similar.

- Extensive support for Shortcuts, enabling you to read and update data directly from Shortcuts.
- Store text, numbers, booleans, lists, dictionaries and even files.
- Files are stored in iCloud Drive and can be accessed from the Files app.
- Support for multiple windows and drag and drop on the iPad.
- Synchronisation between devices using iCloud.

Data Jar is free to use but contains a tip jar where users can pay a few bucks to support the developer.

## Key features

- Persist key-value pairs
- Supports text, numbers, booleans, lists, dictionaries, and files
- Direct integration with automation tools
- iCloud Drive storage and sync
- Multi-window and drag-and-drop support on iPad
- Access via Files app

## Pricing and in-app purchases

Base price: Free.

**One-time purchases**

| Purchase | Price | Type |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Medium Tip | $2.99 | one-time |
| Small Tip | $0.99 | one-time |
| Large Tip | $4.99 | one-time |


## What do users think of Data Jar?

Overall sentiment: positive

**Pros**

- 🚀 Indispensable app for Shortcuts
- 👍 Powerful and versatile data storage
- 🔒 Reliable and stable data store
- 💡 Unique solution for Shortcuts
- 🤖 Essential for advanced Shortcuts

**Cons**

- 🐛 Occasional crashes or issues with large data
- ⏱️ Slow read/write access at times
- 🗂️ Difficulty managing large number of values

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Files getting automatically deleted with large numbers
- Issues with saving base64 encoded images

**Most requested features**

- Ability to add individual values to existing dictionaries
- Device-specific variables
- Folder organization for values
- Boolean action to set values
- Widget support

## Recent user reviews (10 of 138)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/data-jar/id1453273600/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Unreliable System

*2026-07-08, version 1.1.4*

Been using Data Jar for over a year and suddenly half of my tables disappeared for no reason. There’s no mechanism to restore to a previous sync. The only option is to manually export your data after every change and restore from a saved manual export. In this day and age, how is a manual export the only option. Use this at your own risk, knowing that your data will just randomly disappear at some point in the future.

### 1/5 — Can’t set a simple Boolean in shortcuts

*2026-05-25, version 1.1.4*

It can read booleans just fine, but trying to set one makes me use the file picker?

### 5/5 — So helpful

*2026-05-19*

Amazing app, can do so much more with shortcuts that seemed impossible (or incredibly complicated) before. Thank you so much for making this.

### 1/5 — Security risk

*2026-05-09, version 1.1.4*

This app represents a security risk when combined with shortcuts. Recommend that you do not install.

### 5/5 — Super App!

*2026-05-01*

Ich hatte vorher die Apple-Notizen als Datenbank benutzt, das ist aber seit einem Update sehr unzuverlässig geworden. Diese App ließ sich super in meine Shortcuts integrieren und funktioniert hervorragend. Vielen Dank an den Entwickler!

### 5/5 — Best Companion App for Complex Shortcuts

*2026-03-02*

As someone who builds complex automations in iOS Shortcuts, Data Jar has become an essential part of my workflow.

It allows me to store and manage structured data in a clean, reliable way — which unlocks a whole different level of power when building dynamic, multi-step automations. If you’re working with advanced variables, persistent data, budgeting systems, API calls, or custom workflows, this app dramatically expands what’s possible.

Cloud sync has been seamless across my devices, which is huge when working between iPhone and iPad. Everything stays consistent and reliable.

Looking forward to future enhancements, but even in its current state, this is easily the most powerful data companion app for iOS Shortcuts.

Highly recommended for serious automation builders.

### 3/5 — Broken

*2026-02-25, version 1.1.4*

It is extremely helpful but sometimes crashes and doesn’t work at all not even opening.

### 5/5 — Life changing app icl

*2026-02-21*

If you get it, make sure to tip the developer if you like it. Since he made this free 🙂

### 5/5 — Indispensable App!

*2026-01-22, version 1.1.4*

Data Jar transforms what is possible with Shortcuts. I have been able to create complex and powerful automations because Data Jar creates ways to share state and information across them. Must have app!

### 4/5 — Great app but access can be a little slow

*2026-01-15*

I love this app, ise it for many shortcuts i make and in combination with charty is very powerful. The only small geipe I have is that even on my Iphone 15pro the read/write access back and forth to datajar can be a little slow. I wonder if it apple or non-optimized code within datajar, but there is a noticable difference in pulling data from datajar vs pulling data from the notes app or something. But the structure and simplicity of datajar can’t be matched so far. Excellent app.

## Frequently asked questions about Data Jar

### What does Data Jar do?

Data Jar acts as a persistent data store designed to be used with automation tools like Shortcuts. It allows you to save and retrieve key-value pairs, including text, numbers, booleans, lists, dictionaries, and even files.

### How does Data Jar store data?

Data is stored in iCloud Drive, making it accessible from the Files app on your devices. This also enables synchronization of your data across multiple devices.

### Is Data Jar free to use?

Yes, Data Jar is free to use. It includes a tip jar feature where users can optionally contribute financially to support the developer.

### What kind of data can I store?

You can store a wide variety of data types, including simple text and numbers, as well as more complex structures like booleans, lists, dictionaries, and even entire files.

### Can I use Data Jar on my iPad?

Yes, Data Jar offers support for multiple windows and drag-and-drop functionality on the iPad, enhancing its usability for tablet users.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.1.4 — 2022-01-11

- Improves the stability of Shortcuts actions.
- Disables auto-capitalization and auto-correction when entering a text value.
- Navigation wouldn’t work after long pressing a dictionary or array to preview and then committing the preview.

### 1.1.3 — 2021-12-11

This update fixes a bug where the tip jar would sometimes be presented on launch even if the user have tipped already.

### 1.1.2 — 2021-10-17

This updates improves the stability of the Shortcuts actions and addresses some crashes.

### 1.1.1 — 2021-10-07

Fixes an issue where the View Value action in Shortcuts would not navigate to the specified value if the app was not running in the background.

### 1.1 — 2021-09-28

This update brings a refreshed design to the app. The update also improves syncing and makes the Shortcuts actions run a bit faster.

## Apps similar to Data Jar

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [Pushcut: Shortcuts Automation](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pushcut-shortcuts-automation/id1450936447) | 4.4 (533) | Free | Utilities |
| [Mapper for Safari](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/mapper-for-safari/id1589391989) | 4.2 (563) | $1.99 | Utilities |
| [Text Workflow: Clean any Text](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/text-workflow-clean-any-text/id1623230250) | 4.7 (172) | Free | Utilities |
| [Opener ‒ open links in apps](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/opener-open-links-in-apps/id989565871) | 4.6 (1,343) | $2.00 | Utilities |
| [Clipboard Manager - OneTap](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/clipboard-manager-onetap/id1639795583) | 4.5 (223) | Free | Utilities |
| [AI Actions for Shortcuts](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ai-actions-for-shortcuts/id6465250302) | 4.6 (26) | Free | Utilities |

## More apps by Simon B. Støvring

- [Sticky Draw](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/sticky-draw/id1153364367)
- [Scriptable](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/scriptable/id1405459188)
- [Jayson](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/jayson/id1447750768)
- [Runestone Text Editor](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/runestone-text-editor/id1548193893)
- [Re: Toot](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/re-toot/id1661697436)

All apps by Simon B. Støvring: https://appshunter.io/developer/423532907

## Related topics

[core data manager](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/core-data-manager) · [api data](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/api-data)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-21.*