AMAZING Siri Shortcut for HomeKit! 🤯 You Gotta Try This!

This is a tutorial showing how to create a Home Status report for your smart home using Siri Shortcuts. It will check the status of your HomeKit accessories and provide a report showing you only the things you need to know. Towards the end we'll discuss a few variations and possibilities to take this further.
This will utilize the power of variables in Siri Shortcuts and serves as a good introduction to variables if this is new to you. An iPhone or iPad and HomeKit accessories are required to follow along.
Download Shortcut: geni.us/HomeStatus
*You will still have to configure the shortcut with your Home accessories and menu Items. As mentioned towards the end of the video, there are multiple methods that work for something like this. Find the best method for your needs.
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Products Seen in Video:
HomePod mini Battery Base: geni.us/HPM_Battery
Meross Garage Door Opener: geni.us/MerossGDO
Friday Smart Lock: geni.us/FridayLock
Vocolinc T-Guard Smart Lock: geni.us/tGuard
My IPad setup:
IPad Pro (2021): geni.us/IpadPro
Logitech Combo Touch Keyboard Case: geni.us/ComboTouch
Paperlike Screen Protector: paperlike.com/shane
NOTE: This description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
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🎥 Recommended Playlists:
HomeKit 101 Playlist: Getting Started
geni.us/GettingStarted
Automations & Shortcuts Playlist:
geni.us/AutoPlaylist
🎥 Recommended Videos:
Smart Notifications for HomeKit (Using PushCut App)
• SMART Notifications fo...
Control Your Smart Home With NFC Tags!
• Control Your Smart Hom...
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Video Chapters:
0:00 Overview
1:37 About Variables
2:16 Adding Info to Variable
10:57 Creating Notification
11:43 Add to Home Screen
12:50 Other Methods
13:25 Running on HomePod
14:37 Creating a Menu
19:09 Get Creative!
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#HomeKit #SmartHome #SiriShortcuts

[@ShaneCreates]

Follow me online for more smart home stuff every day! ✅ IG - instagram.com/shanecreates​​ ✅ Twitter - twitter.com/shanecreates​​ ✅ WEB: shanewhatley.com

[@StefanoCasaburi]

This works also for Not response accessories conditions ?

[@rcoletti1]

Great work as always! Good call on using duplicate actions too. Saves a ton of time on complex or repetitive shortcuts.

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Robert!

[@TheBradLloyd]

Great video Shane! You explained this shortcut really well and broke it down in an easy way so everyone can follow along. So helpful to monitor your smart home!

[@ShaneCreates]

Thank you Brad!

[@rexhua4833]

It becomes amazing when used with Siri! Thank you.

[@nickkincanon4582]

Excellent. I like your videos that go into shortcut integration. They provide great education and generate ideas on leveraging HomeKit.

[@ShaneCreates]

Awesome, thanks for watching Nick!

[@dadfixdit]

Thanks Shane! This exactly what I had asked you about a few weeks back. Can’t wait to go home and start configuring 😁

[@ShaneCreates]

Awesome, good luck my friend! And thanks for watching!

[@ogb3105]

Shane - thanks from Germany. I really like your videos because you’ve got a different approach then other Tech-KZbinrs - your more on the practical side and that’s awesome. And your videos are really good to watch!

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks so much for the kind words. I'm glad you are enjoying the videos!

[@gswhite]

Great video as always thanks Shane!

[@gregghayes6710]

Nice job Shane. I love it when you do these shortcut tutorials. I always learn something.

[@ShaneCreates]

Awesome, thanks for watching Gregg!

[@johnhubbard3879]

Nice Shane! I can see that it would be easy to get carried away adding too many devices and choices. You gave me some good ideas with this . . Thanks!

[@ShaneCreates]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jonajay]

Thanks Shane, real cool idea

[@djard01]

Shortcuts are amazing. Thank you Shane

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for watching!

[@raymondhuey6431]

What an awesome tutorial! With this shortcut, I have also added the battery state of my door/window sensors. A low battery state will prevent me from arming my system.

[@ShaneCreates]

Great idea!

[@jackwong64]

Wow this make the HomeKit even more useful! Thanks for all these tips!

[@ShaneCreates]

You're welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@ecoheliguy]

Honestly this is one of your best videos

[@tombe1412]

Oh wow 🤩 Thanks, Shane, great video! This really renewed my interest in shortcuts. For some reason these long (complicated) shortcuts put me off, to be honest. But so much is possible with those. It would be stupid not to use all that potential.

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Tom! This one really doesn’t have to be long. I added a few accessories for demonstration, but start with just one Homekit accessory and test it out. Most of this was just repeating the same steps for each HomeKit accessory that I wanted in the report. If you get stuck, feel free to reach out!

[@Hikerhikeshikes19]

This is ridiculously helpful

[@deralte680]

Realy cool. Did not know that Siri Shortcuts is that mighty. Will play around with that in my home as well. Thanks for showing, great video.

[@ShaneCreates]

Thank you!

[@areyouafraidoftoast]

Awesome shortcut mate. Just about to start building it. 😎. Bring on next Sunday!

[@ShaneCreates]

Haha thanks Kyle!

[@georgecardell9061]

More ! More ! Moreeeeee! We want more shortcuts pleaseeeeee!!!!

[@davidmanjhu]

Fun and easy to follow video! Great production value!!

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for watching!

[@Polkster13]

I just love these videos on doing shortcuts. I always learn something new, like duplicating an action. I was also not totally clear on how the Add to Variable works and now with your explanation, I see how it works. I had a clumsy attempt at something like this and I will be modifying it to make it sleeker. I just wish I could somehow set this as a Critical Alert so it will show the Notification on my locked devices. Mine is set to run when I leave my residence and since I am driving, my devices won't show the results of running my Shortcut. However, it will prompt me to Run the automation, even with DND While Driving is turned on. It's weird that it will prompt me to run the Shortcut, but it won't show me the results while the device is locked. I'm really hoping iOS 15 fixes some of these issues. Fingers crossed.

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Frederick. Yea, automating shortcuts like this can be a little funny and take some experimenting to get them to work like you want.

[@left0verture]

Hey Shane, thanks so much for this. So much of the shortcut related stuff out there seems aimed at folks who have a good grasp of scripting to begin with - I don’t. This was not only practical in terms of being a shortcut I can copy and use in my own home, but you did it in such a way that it helped me understand a couple of concepts that were fuzzy to me before. Thanks for that! 👍

[@timothypaul4956]

Me too !

[@ShaneCreates]

That's great, thank you for the comment. 🙏🏻

[@kewltune4683]

Aw heck yeah! Thank you for the awesome video!

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for watching! 😃

[@DanZimmerli]

Good video Shane. This one is right in my wheelhouse.

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Dan!

[@niftymac]

Another awesome video Shane, I learn so much form these instructional videos. I had one glitch though, I built the shortcut on my iPad, when I ran it , it just popped up saying Notification but no detail even when I had some devices ON or open etc. Ran the same shortcut on my iPhone worked fine! Found I had some settings incorrect on my iPad for showing Notifications! all good! thank you. (although you are costing me heaps! Have just ordered 2 x new garage doors, ordered 2 x Meross door controllers, just installed Yale Assure SL door lock, 3 x new Eve power switches (thread ones) Loving it )

[@ShaneCreates]

That's amazing! Sounds like you have an awesome smart home setup underway. Glad you found the solution to your shortcut running on the iPad. Thanks for watching!

[@buttytube]

Awesome video Shane helped me with so many other possible shortcuts ! Is the shortcut shareable to other users in the house ?

[@TechWithTony]

My god this video inspired me. Thanks so much. Keep them coming!!!

[@ShaneCreates]

Great, mission accomplished! 😃 Thanks for watching! Can’t wait to hear what cool automations you come up with!

[@moniquem783]

😂😂😂 I’m clearly still a newbie. You said I’m just going to go and unlock that door real quick. I expected you to get up! 😂😂😂

[@ShaneCreates]

😂 😂

[@HeyTechi]

This is seriously impressive and yet surprisingly easy! Also I love the editing with your iPad screen - Would love to know how you did that!

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for watching! Editing was just a screen recording layered with a photo of my ipad.

[@tennsimpson8907]

Love the video

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for watching!

[@rskeetc]

HOMERUN my friend 👊🏽

[@c130cc6]

Hey Shane. I love this video and idea that I implemented it in my own Apple Home. When I select my Home Status, it tells me "Everything is secure," and then gives me the menu still. Is there a way to only have the menu pop-up if something is left open/unlocked and not when everything is secure? I'm new to shortcuts and it blows my mind sometimes :)

[@chuckkeyser5586]

You make it look so easy... now, the really tough part for me is attempting to make this work. I've had little to no luck creating shortcuts like this, but I'm going to give it a try. I'll let you know if I can get it to work, or I end up like Brad... pretending that the possibility of using them doesn't exist!..

[@ShaneCreates]

You can do it! Just follow along with the video and you shouldn’t have any problems. Let me know if you get stuck. You got this!

[@mathieub971]

Hello Shane, I love your vids, I adapted this shortcut to my setup, problem is when I run it the first time, almost everything is “open” (even if it is not)… if I run it again, then it is fine. Same thing happens if I open the home app… every sensor that was triggered since I last open the app looks “opened” but if I just quit the app and come back then everything is fine…. Have you ever experienced that ? (I have aquara door and motion sensors)

[@pelletip]

Cool implementation, thanks for sharing. I find the Apple shortcuts a little too restricting, I wish the 'Show notification' function was available within Home, allowing to push messages to all Home clients, based on automation's logic.

[@ShaneCreates]

That would be nice. Thanks for watching!

[@MalachiTheAppleGuy]

Awesome vid fam just did this for my home. Question tho, after following everything, if everything (accessories) is off and I get the “everything is secure” message, it still shows the choose from menu. Is it possible to disregard the menu if all accessories are off according to the variable?

[@thomastevis8655]

Awesome videos sorry I’m soo late

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for watching!

[@michaelthompson657]

Any chance of sharing the shortcut? Just so I have something to go back to in the future 👍🏻

[@ShaneCreates]

Sure, I just dropped a link in the video description for anyone who wants to download it. You’ll still have to configure it to your home accessories and any menu options, etc., but maybe it’ll give you a good starting place.

[@michaelthompson657]

@@ShaneCreates thanks I’ll have a look! Yeah no problem, I’m quite good with shortcuts but I liked some of the things yours did so in my just going to use it as a baseline. Haven’t really got any products to use it on atm but always looking ahead to the future! Just out of interest, what were you using as an alarm in the video? I noticed you just had on and off modes 👍🏻

[@MrSharpShadow]

Going nuts. Trying to get your shortcut you made in another Video regarding using NFC tags to open your garage door… I’m doing it for my front door and I can’t get the shortcut to run properly. It runs perfectly when I play the shortcut but when I tap the NFC tag only the vibrate function happens the door never opens

[@IskandarM_]

I’m thinking “Front Door is Unlocked and Opened/Closed” combine the smart lock and door sensor.

[@evlnte]

Been customizing this shortcut for my home for the last 2 hours. Is there a way to check 6 sensors and if any are open, report back with "check one of your upstairs windows that may be open?" I'm understanding the "If" syntax pretty well, but I can't find an Action to check multiple sensors or to create an "Or" statement within the "If". Any ideas?

[@mathieub971]

Very Cool ! Just discovered your channel and I love it ! I would like to be notified if something was left open when I leave the house… How would you do that ? The Home app can ask me to to run the automation every time I leave… but I would like to be disturbed only if something was left open.

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Mathieu! That could be tricky since location based automations require that confirmation to run. The only way I think that could be done would be to use a different trigger that allows you to turn off “ask before running,” such as “connect to CarPlay” or maybe “disconnect from wifi?”

[@andrewandrew7986]

Очень нравятся ваши видео. Я сталкиваюсь с тем, что не все выключатели в хоумкит выключаются при добавлении сцены «выключить всё» я пытаюсь написать быструю команду чтобы происходила проверка , какой аксессуар включён и только его выключать. Подскажите как сделать?

[@paid9mm]

Can I set something to run this automatically at a time of day eg. 10pm

[@sublimwest]

Hi Shane, Great video! What band have you for you apple watch in video?

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Sebastian! Watch band is by Andar.

[@wellingtonsanchez8329]

Hey how doing.I have Siri shortcut I need help.see if you could help me out. It work when I play but when I ask Siri it run but not completely

[@rivertonrock]

Any tips around error handling? Shortcuts trying to ping an unresponsive accessory throw an error and stop running, and there doesn’t seem to be a way to handle these errors gracefully from what I can tell. Great video!

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for watching. I wish I had a good tip for that. That error can be annoying. I’m not sure of a more graceful solution for that error.

[@TravisMala21]

I’m struggling to find an automation/shortcut that allows my phone or HomePod to play music when I get a text from a specific contact. Any ideas?

[@msbc424]

Shane, thanks for the great video. Managed to create a Home Status shortcut for my doors. Works great on my iPhone but not on my Apple Watch - always reports doors open, even when they are not and the phone shortcut confirms that. Any ideas why it wouldn't work on my watch?

[@ShaneCreates]

Hmm… I’m not sure about that. I haven’t done much testing, running this on the Apple Watch.

[@Leonbaldridge]

Hey do you know why my HomePod mini says I have no accessories but my room is decked out ?

[@thesmartchap]

Brilliant absolutely brilliant. How do you get HomePod to call you by name?

[@ShaneCreates]

When you run personal shortcuts via the homepod (must have “recognize my voice enabled on HomePods), Siri will often respond using your name.

[@eddynaime5798]

When we ask Siri homestatus and she says "your front door is unlocked", she goes right into the menu options. Is there a way to make her say "your front door is unlocked" then "what would you like to do?" then go into menu options?

[@mdh.3421]

Wondering if someone used a key to open a smart lock (like a bump key) you could do an alert to let you know. It should show unlocked even if you used a key right?

[@ShaneCreates]

Yes, it will always get the status regardless of how it was unlocked/locked.

[@videosfromzac9015]

ANY WAY TO GET THIS TO RUN IF THE GARAGE DOOR OPENS?

[@MarsorryIckuatuna]

This was awesome. Quick question though - what “HomeKit” compatible “Security Systems” are available on the market? I wasn’t aware it extended that far. I’m on the market to replace my entire security system and it would be nice to have something that integrated directly with my Home smarts and my security response company…

[@ShaneCreates]

There aren't many. Many of the Aqara hubs are exposed to HomeKit as a security system. Abode is the one I'm currently using and I think it has the most options similar to traditional security systems, like professional monitoring, etc.

[@MarsorryIckuatuna]

@@ShaneCreates Thanks, I looked them up. It seems like they're quite specific to the US market as an integrated system, too. Doesn't work so well for us folks across the pond. Still good to know there's something like that out there.

[@timothypaul4956]

How cool. Can you switch your HomeKit cameras from stream to allow recording?

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Timothy. No, unfortunately you cannot do that through shortcuts as far as I know.

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

HEY Mr. Homekit, I am just getting started with HK, have the mini hub, Onvis motion detector/tem/humidity sensor and a couple of Vocolinc Smartbars for starters. Is there a way to bring in some hard wired door sensors (magnetic contacts) to HK? Love your videos.

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for the support! The only way currently to bring in products that don't natively support HomeKit, is to use something like Hoobs or Homebridge, assuming you can find a plugin for the products you are trying to integrate. I've done a few videos on them in this playlist: kzbin.info/aero/PLSyPtAY5VFr3nGpLHM2-8o6MihB-fOmbP

[@TheUnofficialMaker]

@@ShaneCreates i think Homebridge RPi might do the trick

[@bagrubmeister4973]

Hi Shane I believe I watched most of your videos and they are very good, Trying to make the complete switch to homekit. I do have a short cut question. I am trying to get HomePod to open my garage door when asked, I guess apple has built in safety that won't allow that. So I created a short cut, if sensor is unobstructed then open garage door. This work kind of. After I ask her that she gives me 2 option and the last is continue, I say continue and she opens it. But I am trying to figure out how to get her not to ask any questions just do it. So I created another shortcut to run the first short cut, when she goes to run that shortcut she ask do you want to allow Siri to run a short cut? I say yes and the garage door opens.How do I ask he to stop asking so many questions.

[@ShaneCreates]

I'm not really sure about this specifically without knowing exactly how the shortcut is made up. Seems like you may be overcomplicating it some. What about using a "dummy switch" or smart plug to control the garage door through automation? When the switch is turned on, open the garage door. Then you can tell Siri to turn the switch on, and it will open the garage door (no confirmation required to turn on a switch or smart plug). This works great with homebridge or hoobs if you have it. You can create virtual switches (dummy switch plugin) for things like this.

[@bagrubmeister4973]

@@ShaneCreates thanks Shane I do not have either but will look into that. I just might use the Aquara button or just deal with the confirmation too. I am trying to not get to many tools in the equation. Currently using Alexa and HomeKit. Trying to use more HomeKit because I am apple all the way.

[@CoryFJones]

Nice and easy. Did it right along with you. Thanks…..Any way to have Siri’s verbal responses have a pause between items? Mine reads everything as one sentence unlike what we hear yours doing.

[@ShaneCreates]

Try adding a period and space after each phrase, if you haven't already. That worked for me.

[@CoryFJones]

@@ShaneCreates Thanks so much! I'll give it a try tonight.

[@johanlarsson7378]

Great inspiration! Learned a lot about shortcuts. But is there anyway to run a shortcut like homestatus automatically when leaving home. I don’t get it to work.

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Johan! Yes, you can do that. You can create a new "personal automation" in the shortcuts app and choose "leave" as the trigger. You can then setup the same actions as we did in the video, or simply use "run shortcut" and select the Home Status shortcut you already made. The only thing is that you will still get a prompt when you leave to run the shortcut... it doesn't really happen automatically. But you can experiment with other triggers like when I disconnect from wifi, or when I connect to CarPlay, etc.

[@johanlarsson7378]

It’s the prompt to manually run the automation I would like to get around. So that I get the notification in the car if I forgot to lock a door. Will try with other triggers. Anyways it’s really fun to play around with. Made a shortcut to open my garage port on my home screen for easy access, but prompted with a pin code to activate it. (so the kids don’t accidentally open it)

[@calledan]

I know this sounds crazy, but when I run this, I only get a notification that I have a notification and cannot see the results. Can you point me in the direction to fix this?

[@BlazerRox]

I made a "help me" shortcut that sends to some contacts, a text message along with my current GPS location (map link) and optionally unlocks my front door.

[@ShaneCreates]

That is a great, potentially life saving, shortcut. I can see this being useful in a variety of ways. Thanks for sharing!

[@BlazerRox]

@@ShaneCreates If you have a public email I can share the shortcut with you to check out.

[@BlaqViper]

Yo Shane. My Aqara M1S hub had a recent firmware update. Was that the one making it Matter compliment?

[@ShaneCreates]

No I think it’s still too early for devices to be certified with Matter.

[@jimmybondy1140]

Good Video! Is it possible to bring More Doors or Windows inside of this shortcut? I think i put them Not in the Right place

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Jimmy. Yes you can add as many or as few HomeKit accessories as yo want. It may just take a little longer to run, the more you have in there.

[@jimmybondy1140]

@@ShaneCreates thanks … my you Can Tell me More where to place them. I try without success . I just looking for a shortcut like this. Included all items, Doors Windows…. Thanks and stay healthy

[@ChillumT]

Have you made a video about the fan shown in the intro ?

[@ShaneCreates]

Not a full video but I discussed it some in the "Lutron Caseta" section of this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/jpS7hoSImLKshqc

[@ChillumT]

@@ShaneCreates thanks.

[@neverman3398]

@Shane, please could you show me how to use my Phillips Hue motion sensor temperature control to trigger my meross smart WiFi Mini plug.

[@ShaneCreates]

You'll need to use a 3rd party HomeKit app for temperature automations. Eve, Controller for HomeKit, Home+ are a few apps that would work. I setup a temperature automation in this older video here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fKWTaIOIoJudqs0

[@neverman3398]

@@ShaneCreates wow, it works. Thank you so much you absolute legend. I’ve was trying so hard with the Home App and was disappointed that it wasn’t a feature. This changes everything for me as I’m quite new to home automation. Love your channel bro.

[@ShaneCreates]

@@neverman3398 I'm glad you got it working! Sometimes we need to utilize a 3rd party homekit app to unlock the full potential of HomeKit (they limit us a little bit in the Home app). Thanks for the support! 🙏

[@morells09]

Hey Shane, I’ve set up the shortcut exactly how you have it and for some reason my notification will only say “notification” instead of the actual text I’ve told it to. Any ideas?

[@ShaneCreates]

Hey Daniel. It sounds like the the text field is empty when you configure the notification in shortcuts.

[@morells09]

@@ShaneCreates thanks Shane, how come you choose “add to variable” at 1:28 but in the shortcut you linked in the description you have “set variable to text” in your first if statement?

[@uniqueflh2941]

Great instruction Shane. I wish Shortcuts didn’t make me feel like such a big dummy. Mine never work, so I just pretend the possibility of using them doesn’t exist. 🤣

[@ShaneCreates]

Oh no! Brad, someone like you could do so much with shortcuts!

[@01bigtrev]

Doesn’t look like this works as i try running the first couple and say access denied failed to satisfy role

[@ShaneCreates]

It works

[@cbasacik]

I am sure you wished you could put multiple accessories in a selection and run a loop instead of duplicating same stuff over and again. Maybe one day …

[@mikerulon]

when I tell siri to run it she runs it but doesn't tell me what the detail is