HomeKit Automations: Convert to Shortcut! 🤯

Take your HomeKit automations to the next level by using "Convert to Shortcut." Today I'll show you how and when to use this feature, and show you the most common ways that I use it.
Sponsored by EcoNet
The Bulldog Water Valve Robot
geni.us/Bulldog
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
RESOURCES
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Products Seen in Video:
Nanoleaf Elements geni.us/NanElements
Meross Garage Door Opener geni.us/MerossGDO
Abode Security System geni.us/AbodeIota
Bulldog Valve Robot (WiFi) geni.us/EcoNetWifi
Bulldog Valve Robot (Z-Wave) geni.us/EcoNetRobot
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.
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
🔔 Subscribe for New HomeKit videos EVERY Sunday:
kzbin.info?...
❤️ Join! Become a channel member. Get perks!
geni.us/shanemember
👕 Merch!
geni.us/ShaneCreatesShop
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SOCIAL
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
► Instagram - / shanecreates​
► Twitter - / shanecreates​
► TikTok - / shanecreates
► Website: shanewhatley.com​
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
🎥 RECOMMENDED
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
▶ PLAYLIST HomeKit 101: Getting Started
geni.us/GettingStarted
▶ PLAYLIST HomeKit Automations & Shortcuts
geni.us/AutoPlaylist
▶ HomeKit Water Shut Off Valves
• HomeKit Water Shut Off...
▶ HomKit Automations & Shortcuts 101
• HomeKit Automations & ...
▶ Supercharge Your Automations!
• SUPERCHARGE Your Autom...
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CHAPTERS
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
0:00 Chapters
0:55 Sponsor - EcoNet Bulldog Valve Robot
2:15 When to use "Convert To Shortcut?"
3:06 Limitations (Home vs. Personal Shortcuts)
4:00 Overview
4:28 Automation 1: Learning IF Actions
7:54 Automation 2: Learning WAIT & REPEAT Actions
12:15 Automation 3: Using everything + Weather
18:00 Final Thoughts
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
#HomeKit #SmartHome #Shortcuts

[@GeorgeLangabeer]

This video is a perfect example as to why the people that say Google Home & Alexa are superior to Apple Home, are crazy. With Apple Home Shortcuts & Siri Shortcuts the possibilities are endless. People are so used to Apple having everything on lockdown, I don’t think they realize how ‘unlocked’ shortcuts are…very informative as usual. Great video!

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for the comment George!

[@Sw33tBabyRays]

You’ve been able to do the same with ifttt on android for ages. I think people are mostly talking about the devices that are supported and the other smart assistants being “smarter”. Apple pretty much copied ifttt which I’m glad they did since my smart home is all HomeKit.

[@eppttyy]

@@Sw33tBabyRays problem with Alexa and IFTTT is that they are cloud based, HomeKit is all done locally

[@atom6_]

I think if they renamed "convert to shortcut" to something like "add condition" people would understand it directly.

[@boocoo28]

Thanks for all you do to educate the Smart Home Community Shane. I tried setting up a shortcut based on when I charge my phone at night if it’s after 9:30. The problem is it runs everytime I charge my phone no matter the time of day. I’m not sure I k ow how to set the time properly. I don’t see a way to share a screen shot if the automation.

[@rivertonrock]

Yes! Love the Convert to Shortcut option, and I’m so happy to see it getting some love here! Great video, Shane. 🏠 ⚙️

[@ShaneCreates]

🙏🏻 🙏🏻

[@inelonwetrust9169]

Thanks for the clarification on the “convert to shortcut” as I’ve wondered what the true use of that was. My current fav automaton is when you enter my kitchen after dark, the under cabinet lights turn on. This provides just enough light to not blind you but see where you’re going.

[@kamrankazempour4425]

Always appreciate the shortcut tutorials. Thanks.

[@rosscoman]

This was very helpful, thanks. For some reason it never clicked with me that these types of shortcuts run on the hub. Now that you've clued me in, I'll definitely explore these.

[@EngineeringPerspective]

This is one of my favorite videos you have made in a while, I learned something new and now I'm going to be busy automating lots of things this way!

[@ShaneCreates]

I’m glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching!

[@chuckkeyser5586]

While I haven’t generally used shortcuts for home automations, I started and stopped this video for quite a while and played around and created a simple shortcut… and to my surprise, it worked! 👏. However, I did notice that (as mentioned in an earlier comment) it was a bit slower to run…. But hey, it worked great! As I’ve said in the past, joining your channel as a supporting member has been the BEST $5.00 per month that I have invested in my HomeKit home! Thanks again!

[@ShaneCreates]

🙏🏼 I'm glad you've found value in being a channel member! Thanks so much for the support Chuck!

[@gregghayes6710]

Excellent video Shane. I’ve been using convert to shortcuts for a while now, but I always learn something new when you do your demonstration’s.

[@ShaneCreates]

Great! Glad it was helpful. Thanks for watching Gregg!

[@m.j.r.technologyreveiws1075]

This was great! I didn’t know about using Whether for automations. Now I’ve just set up my Yardian Pro zones to water only if precipitation is less that 65%. You da man. Shane!👍🏼

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for watching! FYI, you can also set that up directly in the Yardian app. I have mine configured to skip watering if the chance for rain is too high.

[@bradleyclark5936]

Great content as always Shane, thanks 🙏🏻

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Bradley!

[@uniqueflh2941]

Always good content Shane!

[@tombe1412]

Shane, thank you very much. This is the kind of video I like. Very useful!

[@ShaneCreates]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@camion322]

Thank you Shane to inform me week after week !!!

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for watching!

[@jay271190]

Top tip, you can use a “wait” action for less than a second by using a “number” action first (eg 0.5) and then tap and hold the time in the wait action to select the number variable as input 😊

[@ShaneCreates]

Great tip!

[@evan]

That weather one is so sick. Idk how I’d integrate it with mine. Maybe motion in the morning in the kitchen. Hmmm

[@rayflanagan9970]

Didn't know about the DUPLICATE feature. Can definitely use that in the future!

[@UndecidedMF]

Have you found a way to set a focus mode based on a device getting used in the house? Like trigger a "working" scene that turns on your office lights and turns on a working focus mode?

[@rivertonrock]

You could use an NFC tag to run a shortcut that both turns on the lights and sets the Focus mode on your phone. Not aware of any other more seamless or elegant solutions.

[@tdrg_]

You can use a Focus trigger for when specific apps are opened or at a specific time of day (Settings > Focus > your focus name > scroll down to Turn On Automatically > Add Schedule) and then use a personal automation (when Work Focus is turned on) with a Set Home action turn on the office lights.

[@ShaneCreates]

Hey Matt. Unfortunately it's not possible, natively, if you are trying to use a homekit accessory as the trigger. However, there is a pretty simple way, if you have the setup for it. It does require a Mac with constant power... You need an app called "Signals for Shortcuts" downloaded on your Mac. This app allows you to configure automations, triggered by homekit accessories, that can run any of your Mac shortcuts. And since focus modes CAN be set on the Mac via shortcuts, this can be done (assuming you sync your focus modes across your Apple devices). Hope that makes sense. I published a video a while ago about using the Signals Mac app and automating your shortcuts this way. It may explain it a little better than I just did 😆 kzbin.info/www/bejne/e4HWqGhsas98paM

[@UndecidedMF]

@@ShaneCreates awesome! Thanks, Shane. I’ll check it out.

[@Marseillais98]

Great video thank you! I set up a an automation a few days ago where when my TV turns on, the powerstrip for the Sony HomeCinema system and the powerstrip for the Philips Hue TV lightning and game consoles turns on. Both powerstrips have a separate smart socket. Unfortunately the Hue Gardient Strips and the Hue Light Bars don’t turn off automatically using the Hue App. I don’t use the lights all the time. Especially day time. Thanks to your advice, I set up the automation, that both strips turn on, then wait 3 seconds then start scene “Turn off TV lights”. Before I used it without the shortcut “wait” but seemed to be too fast for the lights recognizing the “Turn off signal”. Now everything works great 👌🏻

[@ShaneCreates]

That's great! Thanks for sharing!

[@ctlspl]

I used shortcuts for favorite HK scenes to show on my Lockscreen during my „home daytime“ Focus mode. It’s possible with most lockscreen widget apps. For example one tap at my lockscreen moon icon to turn off all lights is quite convenient.

[@Delyn]

This one right here 💯💯

[@davedivesdeeper]

Boy do I love shortcuts

[@no-budhee6657]

The precipitation chance condition is great paired with the eve aqua.

[@ShaneCreates]

Very true! Great tip!

[@TimPentreath]

Very useful thanks Shane. I'd like to trigger a notification on my phone when the HomPod Mini temp sensor in an outside room falls below a certain temperature, but I can't see a way of using the Show Notification action, presumably because a HomePod can't show a notification! Any tips on a workaround please? Thanks!

[@mitchelltatum4614]

Shane! Great video! What if I want to pause an automation if certain conditions exist - like don’t turn off the exterior lights if we are outside - is there a HomeKit button I can use to pause the automation? Similarly, I’d like to turn off notifications when I know guests are staying in our ADU, is there a HomeKit button I can use to toggle the notification? Love your channel!

[@micheljr.beaudry21]

Please make more video like this one!

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for the feedback!

[@c-tech_]

I just figured out how to use convert to shortcut for when no presence detected by fp2 after 5 min (300 sec), check to see if presence, if no, turn lights off, else do nothing and end shortcut.

[@jay271190]

The main way I use convert to shortcut is for turning lights off in rooms based on “no motion for x amount of time” where I think this is really the only way to reliably do this in HomeKit (similar principle applies to a contact automation I also have to alert me my fridge freezer has been left open). It involves a loop which runs when motion is no longer detected and checks every say 5 seconds whether motion has been detected on the same sensor, containing and IF which stops the shortcut if true. You adjust the repeat loop to repeat as many times as the total time you want, and then at the end of the shortcut turn off the lights 👍

[@ShaneCreates]

This is a great use of convert to shortcut! Very helpful. Thanks for sharing!

[@jay271190]

@@ShaneCreates Knocked up a quick video explaining how to do this in more detail if you've not used this method before or make your own video on the premise. I use it for my lights, my contact sensors and even an aqara vibration sensor on my coffee machine. kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5Ctcph8r6yiqbM

[@jay271190]

Great video, but I would note that shortcut automations do tend to run a tiny bit slower especially with lots of actions. So avoid using for things where you want instant actions e.g. a light to turn on for motion. But if you still require multiple conditions then use other apps to construct the automation like Home+ or Controller.

[@JC-Zoso]

Like a year ago shortcuts were fast enough to use them for instant actions like lights on/off. After an update i had to use home+ to turn on an accesory/ambient and the home app to turn it off to mantein the instant speed. And after the last update to 16.0 shortcuts involving multiple accesories are unusable slow. I have now to find another way to automate the actions that are now dependable of shortcuts…

[@DobriAndor]

Hi Sorry for bothering with troubleshooting question. But Is the weather shortcut works with motion sensor? Because when i try to create an automation and i test it everything is works fine but after that nothing is happening.

[@morells09]

Do you have any shortcut/automation tips for door left open automations?

[@jamalwright7337]

I have a hunter fan and Nanoleaf bulbs is there a way to set an automation to leave the hunter fan on and only turn off the light bulbs?

[@Polkster13]

You can also check your current location in your automation. So if I am home, it will turn on certain lights throughout my house, set the thermostat, change the alarm system status from "Night" to "Home", and so forth. But if I am not at home, it doesn't turn on the lights, it leaves the thermostat in unoccupied mode, leaves the alarm system in "Away" mode, and so forth.

[@Zark1213]

I ever used shortcuts to switch light on-off with single press on a physical button. But the response time became slower since months ago. I have to wait 3-5 seconds to turn on a light. Any good suggestions?

[@marktime61]

Hi Shaun, Apologies if you’ve covered this but cant find an easy way (looked in Home, Home+ and Eve) to just have a timeout of a few seconds for an Accessory, Automation or Scene? I also use Homebridge. One of my range of non HK accessories is Casambi and I want a relay to go on and off after 3 seconds (momentary switch) but cant find a way? HK has min of 1 minute. I can do in native casambi App but those automations/scenes dont get translated into HK, just the accessory. I can make 2 scenes for on and off but again cant find a way to sequence one 3 secs after the other.. any pointers appreciated. Tks

[@benjaminblaisdell]

Good stuff Shane. Just curious which cabinet lights you use. Thx!

[@ShaneCreates]

I have been using lightstrips made by vocolinc. Here's a full video on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5e3lWRomc10hpo

[@photosandclips9452]

How we can set value of brightness changed in repeat with variable?

[@sharprichnorth]

My Home app looks and works completely differently from this in iOS 16.5.1: the search field is in a different place, but more importantly I don’t get the nested “Set” action under the Repeat for example. Any idea why?

[@atomicdetailsoc]

what is the best way to turn off a bathroom light + exhaust fan after X amount of time of no use. do you have a video on this maybe a dummy switch? im using lutron switches with aqara sensors

[@jay271190]

Not sure when you made this video, but using the shortcuts in iOS 16app I now see that Precipitation Chance appears to be represented between 0 - 1 rather than as a percentage 1 - 100. Just in case you find that rain one never triggers, it could be down to that.

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for sharing. It was shot before the public release of iOS, so it's possible all the updates have changed some things. I'll take a look and will put an update in the video description if necessary. Thank you!

[@jay271190]

Also, adding a Nothing action within the Otherwise action does nothing, but if you want to neaten that up visually you can also just delete the Otherwise portion of the IF statement

[@daryldominguez3429]

Hello shane new to smart home but i cant seem to run my shortcut in my homepod. Tried most common troubleshooting out there but it still has “ i cant do that” response. Personal request on. My shortcut are just simple announcements shortcut not to control anything. Hope you can point me on the right direction.

[@jadieramacdougal5621]

So, what happens to timed shortcuts or actions when you are in a different time zone with your iphone? I ran into this problem using Littlelf smart app.

[@DoctorVadarWho]

You should always with a shortcut you should add a stop at the end

[@khybullock2679]

Can you please make a doorbell one

[@adventuresandreams]

This video was super helpful. I purchased my very first HomeKit accessory, an outdoor plug, and needed to fetch weather conditions to turn on my hummingbird feeder heater when it gets too cold. I guess I will find out tonight if it works. One thing I wonder is where it gets the "Current Location" from. Is it the location of the AppleTV or the phone app? I need this heater to work when I'm in Florida for a couple of weeks, and I certainly don't want FL weather to determine if the heater is on or off :D

[@ShaneCreates]

That's a good question. And I'm glad the video was helpful. Since you are using a home automation and convert to shortcut, the automation should run entirely on your homekit hub. Therefore I would assume it's getting the weather data from the hub's location when making a "home" automation.

[@adventuresandreams]

@@ShaneCreates Thanks for the quick reply, Shane. You gained a new sub for great content and helping your viewers. :) I will keep an eye on the plug when we are in FL over Thanksgiving. I do hope that it uses AppleTV as the location, but if not, I'll let you know.

[@adventuresandreams]

I have another question for you regarding this automation to check the weather condition. It seems like you trigger it manually, but I'm trying to trigger the automation every hour without me doing anything. If the temperature drops below a certain value, I want my accessory to turn on. I have not found a way to do this yet. The Eve app has a "repeat every hour" function but does not reference the shortcuts I created (checking the weather condition). The home /shortcut app seems to let me do things daily, but not hourly. Perhaps you have a video where you set something like this up? :)

[@musa-khan]

What kind of Security system do you use with HomeKit? I have been looking for suggestions. Thanks a bunch.

[@geiraasen1980mobil]

Hi. Im trying to make an automation of my light in the walk in closet based on my hue motion sensor with a timer for xx min without movement. But there is no way to set a delay for that. And i cant find anyone that have made an video of this in or for homekit... I dont know how often the motion sensor updates it self? I tried to make a timer that says start a 1min delay of turning off the lights, but that one activates if im a short trip in the room and i go out for ex 30sec. And then when i get back the timer is already going and the light turns off even if im there...

[@tristendady8147]

Love your videos man. Been really helpful as I’ve been setting up everything for my home. But I’m also not gonna glaze over the “Sexy Time” scene 😏😂 9:21

[@ShaneCreates]

Haha thanks for watching Tristen. Everyone needs a good "sexy time" scene! 😅

[@HughD]

Another useful video, Shane. I have a couple of questions about how Homkit determines you've arrived or left. Assuming the person has both a phone and a watch and you sometimes leave your phone at home does Homekit assume your cellular watch location is your physical location? When you come home with just your watch will it still trigger the automation? When you power off a device, does Homekit assume you're in the location you were last in? Thanks and keep the automation tips coming. BTW I have to agree with a commenter that sometimes you're a little fast with the demos, but I've found getting KZbin to slow you down to 75% speed works pretty well except I have to laugh as you sound a little drunk then. Thanks so much, Shane!

[@ShaneCreates]

Haha thanks Hugh. Funny because I also often get comments recommending to play at 1.25 speed because I talk to slow! 😆😂 🤷‍♂️ But your comment is noted and I'll try to be more mindful of that during these tutorial style videos. To answer your question, when you have multiple Apple devices you can choose which devices determines your location be going into the Find My app on that device and select "use this device as my location."

[@HughD]

@@ShaneCreates Shane your speed, to me, is fine except maybe when you're going through the shortcuts and automations, especially when you're doing one with a lot of functions. I'm not seeing the ability to choose my location from either my watch or my phone, but it says "From this phone and cellular Apple Watches." My wife just left without her watch and it shows her location as that of her phone. Now that I think about it I think when she's walking and leaves the phone at home, it's showing her location from the watch (cellular). I guess maybe I answered my own question, but I'll do some testing to see for sure if I understand it.

[@Techlifeandmore]

I think that this is broken in iOS 17, at least for creating new automations. The if statement only allows you to select your HomeKit accessories, not other variables, and does not allow you to change what attribute of the accessory it is testing, it's stuck on name. Everything else seems to be working fine.

[@steve_ockey]

Hey Shane, love your videos and have been learning so much. I’m trying to achieve something with home/shortcuts and not having any success. It might be something others are interested too. I’m wanting to have a trigger that runs a shortcut on a HomePod to ask me a question and wait for a response. Something like “it’s getting warm, do you want the fan on?” and wait for yes/no. Is that something that can be achieved or you could put in a video?

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for watching and for the suggestion. I've done similar things in past videos. There are a couple of ways do it. The simplest way would probably be to just use the "choose from menu" action with a simple YES and NO option. When you run the shortcut from a HomePod Siri will ask the question, give you the options, and wait for your answer.

[@steve_ockey]

Thanks Shane. I’ve seen you videos with menus when you start a shortcut by voice command (I’ve made a couple and love them). What I’m trying to do now is have something (say a sensor) initiate the shortcut that will ask me something through the HomePod and wait for my response. As an example - temperature sensor detects it warm and the shortcut runs to ask if I want to turn on a fan and I only say yes/no. I don’t have to initiate it by asking Siri to run the shortcut. Is the possible?

[@aniketmi1]

Neat video, how did you set up the home status shortcut?

[@ShaneCreates]

Here is a video about the home status shortcut: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y2WYgpeXeriNnpo

[@osumagic18]

Great video! How did you get the Bulldog Valve Robot into HomeKit as a switch? I am using the new SmartThings plugin for Homebridge and it’s coming in as a valve. Valves apparently can’t be used in automations natively in the Home app. Appreciate any / all help!!

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks David. For the Z-Wave Bulldog I was using the Thinka Z-Wave Hub which is only available in Europe currently. For the wifi Bulldog the Ewelink homebridge plugin shows it as a switch also. I've also used the Z-Wave Bulldog with Hubitat but also shows the device as a water valve. I'd recommend automating your Bulldog in a 3rd Party homekit app like Eve or Controller for HomeKit.

[@jasonbreaux7586]

Hey Shane. Love the videos man! Quick question. I updated to the ios16 iPad beta and it seems the plus button has been removed. I can no longer do the whole convert to shortcuts with if actions. Any ideas?

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks Jason! It's still there for me (also running beta on iPad) but it's definitely buggy. The home app crashes each time I convert to shortcut and try to configure it on the iPad beta.

[@mariovanhoucke9725]

Any idea why it doesn't work for my cameras in homekit? I can't make automations for my cameras. Works for all other things (bells, outlets, ...) but not for camera.

[@theorangecircle1066]

If I could get written directions I would appreciate appreciate it. From listening to the videos I believe that I need to select the Aqara button, tap "convert to Shortcut" action, insert "URL" adtion, then below this insert "get contents of Url" action. When inserting my Pushcut URL, and testing my mini switch I'm getting an error message. Thanks to who ever replies.

[@alexanderkaplan]

Hey Shane! Thanks for all of your wonderful insights! I have a question: when I try to follow what you did(the wife bit), the lights come on and then it tells me "Accessory is out of resources". I tried to do a bit of research on this, but didn't find anything that was applicable... Any idea what I can do to change this? If this makes a difference - I use Hue lights. Thanks in advance!

[@ShaneCreates]

Hey thanks for watching. I don't think I've ever seen that error. Have you tried it with a different device to see if maybe it's just that light?

[@alexanderkaplan]

@@ShaneCreates I haven't yet, but I did notice that I got that same error message when I ran another light automation that I've had for a while. When I set it up - everything was flawless, and now it gave me the same error. I think this may a ios16/hue error.

[@deuay3143]

Hello, I have the Yeelight screen light bar which doesn't support homekit but in yeelight app there's an option that allows me to add turn on or off action to siri shortcut. Are there any way allows me to run that shortcut with Scene in Home app, or maybe if I turn 1 light on it also run that short cut as well? In shortcut app I can choose actions from 3rd party apps but no such option in Home's shortcut. Thank you so much!

[@ShaneCreates]

No unfortunately you cannot run personal shortcuts via home automations. The Yeelight app shortcuts require your personal device and cannot be run from a HomeKit hub (home automation).

[@marlbororeds29]

Can I change the Home App ring tone when someone press the doorbell ?

[@marlbororeds29]

Aqara doorbell

[@bretterickson9908]

Shane, any tips on why automations using sunset / sunrise wouldn't work but automations using time of day do work? Thanks!

[@ShaneCreates]

I couldn't agree more. Thank you!

[@bretterickson9908]

I don’t follow Shane?

[@moniquem783]

Shane, I'm having an issue with automations. I've watched all of your videos on them and have learned so much from you! I'm following what you're doing and it makes sense. However, I have a whole lot of scenes and very few automations because every time I go to do one, I hit the same issue. None of the triggers suit me. I don't go to sleep at the same time each day, I don't get up at a set time and only use an alarm occasionally, I don't leave the house each day, I don't do any of the things a normal person tends to do which are automation triggers. I also haven't yet bought motion sensors or buttons for in the house because I'll be moving soon and want to wait and buy a whole lot at once for the new house. So it seems the only options I have are NFC tags, dummy switches, or to start using Focus modes purely so that I have a trigger. I do have some NFC tags, but they're a bit annoying. I just set up a switchbot bot on my new coffee machine and had to put the NFC tag inside the bedside drawer so I wouldn't trigger it when I put the phone on the charger at night. So in the morning I'll need to pick up my phone, open my drawer far enough so it doesn't close again, and hope the NFC tag will work which they seem to not do regularly (I did set it to make a sound on my phone so I know when it scans). Better than standing there waiting for it to brew after I press the button, but I'd much rather say Make a Coffee. Is my only option to do that a dummy switch then? I have a couple spare. Other than that is there any other way to do it just with speaking? Or other apps I should look at that have more options for triggers? I'm getting frustrated because the more I learn the more potential I see, but my life isn't normal enough to really make it work as well as it could. Sorry, this got long. I ramble when I'm tired 🥱

[@ShaneCreates]

Hey Monique. No worries. And my situation is similar. WIth working from home some days, at the office at some, and the same with my wife, and two kids always coming and going, our schedule is quite sporadic. Just keep experimenting to find what works for you. Maybe a personal automation in the morning, that triggers only between 7am and 10 am, when your phone is disconnected from the charger (when you wake up) for example would be something you can use. TO answer your question regarding switchbot: although it doesn't support thomekit natively, it does support Siri Shortcuts. So you can configure a shortcut to turn on the coffee machine, which could then be triggered by voice (siri) or any other personal automation. Looks like the automation options in the shortcuts app might be where you need to be looking for now. Hope this helps!

[@moniquem783]

@@ShaneCreates it's tricky isn't it! I did see that you've just posted a video about a cube and thought hmmm, 6 options lol, but I'm not sure I need 6 options next to the bed!! Yeah for the Switchbot I did a Siri Shortcut, but then needed to turn it into an automation as I need it to press once to wake the coffee maker up, then wait a few seconds, then again to actually start it brewing. And then I added my good morning scene to it too because why not. I'll see how I go with the NFC tag in the morning but I'm pretty sure it'll drive me nuts. I might need to go with the dummy switch. We'll see. The trigger when I disconnect my phone from the charger in certain hours has some potential, but it's probably not going to be foolproof until after I move as my sleep patterns are super whacky here. I have phases where I cycle the clock, so one day I get up at 7, the next 9, then 11, then 1, 3, 5, etc etc all the way around. It's like my body clock thinks a day is 26 hours. I know that the fact that my blinds and curtains stay closed all the time makes it worse, but I'm just desperately trying to block out a fraction of the noise here. Once I move I'll be in the peace and quiet of the country and I'm going to automate the window coverings in the bedroom so I get natural light in the mornings. I think after a few months of that I should revert back to my regular whacky sleep patterns which is just night owl with a vengeance. Annoying, but predictable. Much easier to set times with than cycling the clock! I suppose I could go into the automation and edit the time when things go really haywire. If I have quite a wide time range it could work. Or if I'm outside of my range I can use the NFC tag on those days. Hmmmm, yes that might actually work! Good thinking 99!

[@ShaneCreates]

@@moniquem783 Just create a shortcut called "start coffee" and run the switchbot once, wait a few seconds, then run again... all in the same shortcut. Then you can just use siri... "Hey Siri, start coffee." I think you said you wanted to use voice so that should work no problem.

[@moniquem783]

@@ShaneCreates okay I'll try that. I now can't remember if I tried it or not lol. Maybe I missed it because it was too simple 🙄

[@moniquem783]

@@ShaneCreates holy crap that took maybe a minute! I'll test it in the morning. Can't now as it'll start making coffee. Bloody hell. Overcomplicating things much? 😂😂😂 Thank you for being so patient!

[@Hedrakk1]

I tried a similar shortcut, but it seems to have a bug with the “Get current weather…”. If you test the shortcut in the definition page, it works fine. But in my case, I don’t know why, when the automations is supposed to run, anything in the shortcut that is after the “Get Current Weather…” is completely ignored.

[@dieterholle5666]

Yes, have exactly the same issue. Hoping it gets resolved, need this to automate various pumps based on the chance of rain.

[@OCDrummer74]

Interesting and helpful. Question... I wanted to try and get a smart blind to close when temperature reaches certain level outside, but not quite working. One thing confusing is in automation setup you have to select a time of day or other option, but none seem correct or unsure what to select. Is it possible to do this, to get it to close based on temperature reaching say 85, then it triggers blind to close on that sunny side of house?

[@ShaneCreates]

So you need something to trigger the automation. The only way to do this natively in HomeKit would be to use an outdoor HomeKit temperature sensor. There are a few options available. You could then use that for an automation. For example, when the temperature gets above 85º (via temp sensor), close the blinds.

[@OCDrummer74]

@@ShaneCreates Thank you for reply. Its seems I can have automation get the current weather and set a condition if weather is more than 85. But the starting point of automation is the trouble, because of having to select time of day for it to happen, or another initial thing which is first step in automation. I could look into a sensor if that may be only way.

[@dieterholle5666]

You could set a single trigger time at some point of the day and then repeat the process using repeat x 96 to check the temperature every 15 minutes of the day.

[@OCDrummer74]

@@dieterholle5666 Thank you I think that just may work.

[@m.j.r.technologyreveiws1075]

Tip: You can create multi-trigger and multi-conditional automations easily by stating with the EVE App. Save it with a temporary Scene. Then edit it in the Home App. Just remove the temporary scene an set up your desired shortcut automation!

[@ShaneCreates]

Yes, this is a great way to get the best of both worlds (3rd party HK apps and convert to shortcut). Great tip, thanks for sharing!

[@ctlspl]

That’s how I managed to make my window sensors stop my heating, while the windows are opened and resume when they’re closed.

[@wesleyrosa9144]

While, its possible?

[@BlazerRox]

After flashing your lights you set them specifically to the on state. Is there a way to return them to whatever state they were before, whether that is on or off?

[@ShaneCreates]

Unfortunately, not that I've found. You can get the state of a light (color, brightness, etc) and even save it to a variable. But I haven't found a way to apply that to an accessory.

[@BlazerRox]

@@ShaneCreates Hmmm If you could get the on/off state and save it in a variable you should be able to use some if/then to restore the previous state?

[@benaliaa]

@@BlazerRoxAm trying to figure out the same... I'll kep yall posted, if I did!

[@Caseydid]

I really tried to follow your instructions, however, your screens are different than what my iPhone shows. So I only generated frustration and no shortcuts. I defiantly am not as advanced as you are. For instance, I don't have any motion detectors so that condition is not an option to close my garage door. I want to have a shortcut that says if the door is closed, do nothing. If it is open, close the garage door.

[@emmanuelcrisostomo12]

I think the pro of automations or shortcuts that run on your home kit hub is that it will run despite the iPhone, like everybody on the home can run it even though if they don’t have that shortcut on their personal device, I’m I right?

[@ShaneCreates]

Yes, that's correct.

[@geetmadan1991]

Hey man! I am looking for plugs that have energy usage based automation. Do you know if any? Also, do you have a smart home tour video?

[@ShaneCreates]

The Eve Energy has energy usage that can be used as conditions in homekit automations. I have not done a full home tour yet, but plan to hopefully soon. I've done a tour of my smart bedroom, but not the whole house yet.

[@geetmadan1991]

@@ShaneCreates thank you for the response. I will check out eve energy and the bedroom rout videos. Thanks again!!

[@johnmeyer7752]

I can’t find convert to. Shortcut. What app are you using?

[@ShaneCreates]

The home app.

[@gdunner4855]

I’m trying to figure out a shortcut that if a motion is detected at anytime between noon and 5pm then lights should be turned on 30 minutes prior to sunset. I was able to set up the shortcut to show that if there is motion then to turn on the lights 30 minutes before sunset. But I want to to do it if anyone is home for half the day not just if it detections motion…… Any help?

[@ShaneCreates]

Hmm... I can't think of a way to do that natively in homekit... Maybe a slight work-around using 2 automations if your light has dimming capabilities: 1: IF motion is detected (between noon-5pm) turn light to 1% 2: When a time of day occurs (30 minutes before sunset), convert to shortcut, IF light is 1% turn light to 100%; OTHERWISE do nothing

[@Hedrakk1]

One of missing Shortcut commands that is really missing is the Speak command. I’m very disappointed that they didn’t add it for iOS 16. With this command, you could actually make Siri say the Precipitation Chance instead of relying on a light code. I don’t understand why it’s not there yet. When you interact with Siri on your HomePod, it’s not all prerecorded answers. How come we’re not able to use the Speak command?

[@ShaneCreates]

I agree, would love to see this added as a feature update.

[@steveclark8487]

Is it possible to have the repeat continue until another device is controlled? Example. I set a shortcut to flash certain lights in my house "75 Times" when my alarm system is triggered. I would like to have the shortcut flash the lights until the alarm is disarmed. Possible?

[@ShaneCreates]

Should be. Try using an IF action in the repeat that checks to see IF the alarm is disarmed.

[@steveclark8487]

@@ShaneCreates After the "Set, Wait, Set, Wait" I added "End If, If Security SystemCurrent State Is Off, End Repeat," followed by "Set 15 Accessories," which put the lights back where they were. We'll see if it works.

[@socan7182]

Is there any way of making a smart switch turn on other accessories on its own? I flip a switch everything turns no need for a phone.

[@ShaneCreates]

Sure, that's just a basic automation. New Automation > when an accessory is controlled > turn on your other accessories.

[@socan7182]

@@ShaneCreates thank you.

[@gdowkpc]

What alarm panel is that? Does it work with Aqara?

[@ShaneCreates]

It's the Abode keypad. No it does not work with Aqara.

[@TheRubernck21]

for that lights flashing automation, too bad we can't have the bulbs go back to what they were before the automation ran.

[@JasCar1967]

I have a shortcut that checks the overnight low temperature at an hour fast sunset and if the temp gets below 12 deg C turns on my electric blanket

[@ShaneCreates]

oh man that's brilliant! 🙌🏻 Love it!

[@leumas75]

Why wouldn’t you do a Wait & Repeat (say like an hour) for the Garage Door close?

[@ShaneCreates]

Just trying to keep the video simple to explain the concepts. You can take any of these and modify them to fit your needs.

[@jsemery]

Thanks for this Shane. I’m looking for a good way to create a variable for nights when we have guests staying in our guest room, so that normal bedtime automations act a bit different, giving our guests more control of that room (so I don’t turn off the lights on them if they are still up in that room). So essentially I want to put the house in “guest staying with us” mode. Any thoughts or ideas would be greatly appreciated.

[@tomh3079]

The way that I know how to do this is with the use of virtual or physical dummy switches. You can use a virtual switch with Hoobs or you can use a smart plug that you don’t plug anything in to. When the switch is on (guest mode), only these automations will run. Turn off all lights except for the guest bedroom and bathroom, for example. If the switch is off (normal automation mode), you can have all lights turn off, including the guest bedroom and bathroom. You can get very in depth with these, but this is just a basic example for you. If Apple would implement virtual dummy switches into the home app, it would be a total game changer.

[@ShaneCreates]

I think currently, the best way to do something like this, like Tom H mentioned, is to use a switch as a condition for your automations.. Basically just use a Dummy Switch as your "Guest Mode," which can be used as a condition in your automations. For example, every night, only if "Guest Mode" is OFF, turn off the lights. Then if you have guest over, just turn ON your Guest Mode switch and the automation won't run.

[@jsemery]

Very helpful. Thanks so much to you both.

[@christopherochoa6565]

If I use it to make all the lights flash if motion is detected ; how to I make it go back to what the lights were doing originally? Example; if I had the kitchen lights on already and then it runs the shortcut it will leave the kitchen lights off once the automation is ran. But I need them to go back to what they were before it detected motion. Lmk if anyone has done this

[@ShaneCreates]

Sure, this can work but only with ON/OFF status (not color, brightness, etc). You'll need to get the status of the light at the beginning of the shortcut, then add it to a variable. Then flash your lights like usual. And at the end, add an IF action... IF variable/light is on then turn the light ON, otherwise turn it OFF. I did this exact thing in an old video you can find here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iYLbaaWVoNyhmM0

[@thecyberchefutube]

Is it possible to create a shortcut to turn off a smart light in 15 minutes ?

[@ShaneCreates]

Timers are tricky in homekit and shortcuts. Shortcuts that use the "wait" action for too long are often unreliable. I'd recommend trying a short "wait" action, maybe a minute or two max, and set that inside a repeat action to get the desired time. Alternatively, if using homebridge, there are some plugins that allow you to create dummy switches and timers.

[@millbean13]

Lol. Had a scene called “Sexy Time”

[@rustyfox81]

I find HomeKit very unreliable, are shortcut versions of automations more reliable ? I have an external light that comes on if motion is detected, then turns off after 1 min. It always comes on but about 50% of the time it does not turn off.

[@leehong6344]

Is it possible to convert a shortcut and make HomePod read out the time?

[@rivertonrock]

Unfortunately, I haven’t been able to find a way to playback custom audio via HomePods that isn’t prerecorded and uploaded to your Music library.

[@ShaneCreates]

No unfortunately it's not possible

[@tonyferrandino8770]

Is anyone else finding it takes two steps to turn off a light in HomeKit (IOS16). Click on light icon/ flip switch?

[@m1dnightcrisis]

automations don’t work for me when using a 'shortcut'. i use a motion sensor to turn on my lights to save energy. it works when pressing 'test' but never with motion detection.

[@jhardy0786]

Dude you have to slow down when your teaching what to hit please and if you don’t have all the names only anyone how do you add rest of the people in the house thanks

[@ShaneCreates]

Thanks for the feedback. The names shown are all those who have been invited/added to your homekit home.

[@twennywonn]

You can change the speed of the video.

[@jhardy0786]

Thank you I’ll try that I keep stopping it to get the short cut right Shane is great at it I’m super slow but love it

[@ecoheliguy]

It’s on my phone. But when I turn off my “wake-up” alarm in the morning, Siri dictates my weather and calendar events of the day. Then play a news podcast. Best part, snoozing doesn’t trigger the automation, nor does any other alarm on my phone.

[@ShaneCreates]

Love it!! Nice job!

[@kendrick.e.williams]

You're going to "turn on just your wife there." 8:28 You need HomeKit to do that?

[@ShaneCreates]

Yes, it is a home automation.

[@riesling4007]

🤮🤮🤮