As a recent convert from IRIS, I’m excited to dive into the world of SmartThings and its capabilities. However, I’ve encountered a few hurdles that I’m hoping the community can help me navigate.
First, I’m a bit confused about the two SmartThings apps available. The newer app with the logo at the top of the page and the classic app seem to have overlapping features, but I’m not entirely sure which one to use for the best experience. I’ve tried both, but the classic app feels more familiar, while the newer one has some promising features that I’d like to explore further.
My main focus is on setting up simple automations. For instance, I’d like my house to automatically arm itself (Away mode) and turn off all the lights when everyone leaves. Similarly, when someone returns home, I’d love for the house to disarm (Home mode) and turn the lights on. I’ve also been thinking about scheduling these automations, such as arming the house at night and adjusting the lighting accordingly.
One challenge I’ve faced is with the ‘presence’ events. While I can see them triggering in the history, they don’t seem to affect the security modes as I’d expect. For example, changing the location from ‘home’ to ‘away’ doesn’t automatically arm the system or turn off the lights. I’ve tried tweaking the settings and even installed a third-party app called Routine Director from the marketplace, but integrating it with the newer app has been tricky.
I’d also like to set up more complex automations, such as arming the house in ‘night mode’ at midnight and adjusting the lighting based on the time of day. For instance, if I leave for work between 5am and 7am, I’d like the lights to turn off and the alarm to switch to ‘night mode.’
Any advice or tips from more experienced users would be greatly appreciated. I’m really looking forward to mastering SmartThings and creating a seamless smart home experience. Let me know if anyone has encountered similar issues or has suggestions for troubleshooting!
Cheers,
James