Geographic Event Triggers: Smartphone & IFTTT Guide
Leveraging Smartphone Location for Automation
Imagine a scenario where simply traveling between locations initiates actions such as altering your home's temperature, receiving timely alerts, or activating other pre-defined automated processes.
This functionality is achievable through the integration of GPS technology and the utilization of IFTTT (If This Then That) recipes.
How Location-Based Automation Works
The core principle involves using your smartphone’s GPS capabilities to detect when you enter or exit specific geographical areas.
This location data then serves as the trigger for actions configured within IFTTT.
Utilizing IFTTT Recipes
IFTTT acts as the intermediary, connecting your smartphone’s location services with a wide range of compatible devices and services.
By creating specific “recipes,” you define the conditions (location-based triggers) and the resulting actions.
Examples of Location-Based Automation
- Thermostat Control: Automatically adjust your thermostat when you approach or leave your home.
- Notifications: Receive a notification when a family member arrives at or departs from a designated location.
- Smart Lighting: Turn lights on or off based on your proximity to your house.
- Automated Reminders: Get reminders when you enter a specific area, such as a grocery store.
Setting Up Your Automation
The process typically involves granting IFTTT access to your smartphone’s location services.
Subsequently, you can create custom recipes tailored to your specific needs and preferences.
Detailed instructions and guidance are readily available on the IFTTT platform.
With a bit of configuration, you can harness the power of your smartphone’s location to create a more responsive and automated environment.
Understanding Geofencing and IFTTT
Before exploring the techniques we will detail, it’s beneficial to grasp the fundamentals of geofencing and IFTTT. Although they may initially seem complex – particularly IFTTT – their functionality becomes clearer through practical examples.
Related: What Is "Geofencing"?
Previously, we thoroughly examined geofencing in HTG Explains: What Geofencing Is (and Why You Should Be Using It). Here’s a brief overview. Geofences are virtual perimeters established using both hardware, like the GPS in your smartphone, and software, including the mobile operating system and apps. These boundaries trigger specific actions when a device enters, exits, or remains within the defined area.
For instance, if you utilize an app that alerts you upon your child’s arrival at or departure from school, or a task manager that prompts you to purchase milk when near the grocery store, you are leveraging geofencing technology.
IFTTT, launched in 2011, is a web service designed to simplify the creation of conditional statements that initiate events. It employs a user-friendly recipe system, making automation accessible. The name "IFTTT" stands for "If This Then That."
The service provides access to numerous pre-built recipes and allows users to design custom ones. These recipes connect "if-this-then-that" scenarios, such as receiving a notification when rain is predicted or automatically sharing a Twitter update on Facebook. While not universally capable, IFTTT integrates with a wide range of services and devices.
Although many IFTTT recipes don’t require a smartphone, integrating your smartphone via the IFTTT mobile app unlocks powerful location-based triggers. This effectively combines geofences – defining your current, future, or passing locations – with IFTTT’s extensive service access.
Let's explore how to utilize geofence triggers and notifications on your smartphone.
Leveraging Geographic Locations with IFTTT on Mobile Devices
Initially, if an account hasn't been established, registration for IFTTT is required. This can be accomplished by navigating to the IFTTT website, accessible here. While account creation and recipe exploration are possible through the IFTTT application, the web interface offers greater flexibility and ease of use during the setup process.
The smartphone itself is only needed for a single, crucial step: enabling the Location Channel. This activation is necessary as it demands local authorization to access the device's GPS and Wi-Fi data.
Activating the Location Channel
Within the IFTTT web interface, locate and select the "Location" channel. You will then be prompted to connect your IFTTT account to your mobile device.
This connection process will redirect you to the IFTTT mobile app, where you'll be asked to grant location permissions. Allowing these permissions is essential for IFTTT to accurately monitor your geographic position.
Defining Geographic Areas
Once the Location Channel is activated, you can define specific geographic areas. These areas act as triggers for your IFTTT applets.
You can create locations by entering an address, landmark, or by pinpointing a location on a map. Consider the radius of the location carefully; a smaller radius provides greater precision, while a larger radius offers broader coverage.
Creating Location-Based Applets
With locations defined, you can now construct applets that respond to your entry or exit from those areas. These applets consist of a trigger (your location) and an action (what IFTTT will do).
For example, an applet could be configured to send you a text message when you arrive at work, or to turn on your smart lights when you approach your home. The possibilities are extensive and depend on the services integrated with IFTTT.
- Entering a Location: Triggers an action when you *arrive* within the defined area.
- Exiting a Location: Triggers an action when you *leave* the defined area.
Remember to test your applets thoroughly to ensure they function as expected. Adjust the location radius and trigger conditions as needed to optimize performance.
Setting Up and Configuring the Application
The IFTTT application is readily available for download on both the Google Play Store for Android devices and the Apple App Store for iOS. Install the application on your smartphone and initiate its launch. You can then either input your existing login details, should you have previously registered on the website or possess an account, or proceed with creating a new account at this time.
Within IFTTT, all integrated services, applications, and components utilized in recipes are organized as "channels." The fundamental structure of a recipe can be summarized as: (When a specific input is received from this channel) Then (a predefined output is triggered from another channel).
Therefore, subscribing to the Location channel, specific to your smartphone’s operating system, is a necessary first step. While other integrations can be enabled either through your phone or a web browser subsequently, initial permission authorizations must be completed directly on your device.
The application’s user interface may present a slight learning curve for first-time users. To incorporate a new channel from your device, open the IFTTT app and select the mortar and pestle icon (as illustrated in the image above). From the "My Recipes" menu that appears, tap the gear icon located in the bottom right corner to access the Settings menu.
Within the Settings menu, locate and select the "Channels" option. Use the search function to type "location," which will display "Android Location" and "iOS Location" entries. Choose the channel corresponding to your device's operating system. You will then be asked to grant the channel permission to access your device’s location data, completing the setup process.
Exploring Recipes on IFTTT
With our device now capable of sharing location information with the IFTTT platform, the next step involves discovering location-specific recipes. It’s possible you won’t immediately locate a recipe perfectly matching your needs, and that is perfectly acceptable.
However, we strongly suggest dedicating some time to explore the available recipe database.
The Benefits of Recipe Exploration
Why is browsing other recipes beneficial? You'll uncover innovative applications of location data and IFTTT, potentially sparking new ideas ("I wasn't aware IFTTT could integrate with the Smartthings hub!").
Furthermore, examining published recipes allows you to understand precisely how others have configured their automations.
Each time we review the IFTTT recipe database, we are consistently impressed by the ingenuity and creativity demonstrated by its users.
IFTTT offers a wide range of possibilities, and exploring existing recipes is a great way to unlock them.
- Discover new uses for location and IFTTT.
- Learn from the configurations of other users.
- Gain inspiration for your own automation projects.
Taking the time to investigate the recipe database can significantly enhance your understanding of the platform and its capabilities.
Crafting Custom Recipes with IFTTT
While the IFTTT catalog offers a wide range of pre-built recipes, it doesn't encompass every possible automation scenario. This guide details the process of creating your own IFTTT recipes for personalized alerts, notifications, and automated actions.
Currently, recipe creation is exclusively available through the IFTTT website, not the mobile application.
Access the website and select "Create" located beneath your username in the top-right corner. Alternatively, navigate directly to the recipe creation screen using this link. Begin the process by clicking the underlined "this" within the prominent "ifthisthenthat" text displayed on the screen.
The initial step involves selecting a trigger channel. The numerous available input channels can be explored later for non-location-based recipes, but for this purpose, we'll focus on geo-location. Enter "location" into the channel search bar to refine the options, then choose either the Android or iOS location channel, depending on your device.
Next, define the type of trigger you require. Are you interested in actions triggered upon entering a designated area, exiting an area, or both?
The specific trigger selection is dictated by the desired outcome of the recipe. Consider a scenario where you work in downtown Chicago with a variable schedule and a considerable commute. If your spouse prefers to have dinner with you upon your return home, wouldn't it be beneficial to automatically notify them when you leave the office, providing an estimate of your arrival time? To build this recipe, select the "You exit an area" trigger, ensuring the notification is sent only upon departure, not arrival.
Step 3 involves defining the geofence. You can specify an address and then adjust the boundary's size, ranging from a precise area within a building or block to a broader city or regional scope.
Having established the "If" component – "If we leave the geographic boundary around 200 Whacker Dr. in Chicago, Illinois" – we now proceed to define the "then that" portion of the automation.
Step 4 mirrors Step 1 in its process. A channel corresponding to the desired outcome must be chosen. In this instance, we aim to send a text message, so we search for "SMS".
Select "Android SMS" for Android devices, or simply "SMS" for iOS. Upon selection and clicking "next," you'll be prompted to enter a phone number for confirmation PIN verification. Ensure you enter the recipient's phone number, not your own. This verification confirms the recipient's consent to receive the alerts.
It's important to note that currently, only one phone number can be linked to your account for SMS usage. If you intend to utilize SMS alerts for other purposes, consider alternative notification methods like email or Twitter direct messages.
Step 5 focuses on specifying the action to be performed. For the SMS alert, and many other IFTTT channels, there are limited options. The sole choice for the SMS channel is to send an SMS message. Select "Send me an SMS".
The default text message is somewhat generic, so customization is recommended.
Many recipe outputs offer customizable elements, such as the "OccurredAt" variable. Hovering over the creation box and clicking the bell icon reveals related elements that can be incorporated into your alert.
Confirm the recipe, and it will be automatically added to your IFTTT recipe list, accessible both on your mobile device and through the web portal.
That concludes the process! After navigating the initial setup and granting location access, a world of recipe possibilities unfolds. You can connect your location to alerts, smartphone triggers, emails, reminders, and any other "then" channel available within the IFTTT system. Explore the location-based Android and iOS recipes for further inspiration.