I’ve been diving into the world of smart home automation with SmartThings, and I’m really excited about how much I’ve been able to streamline my daily routine. One area I’ve been particularly interested in is using virtual presence sensors to enhance my security and convenience. However, I’ve hit a bit of a snag that I’m hoping the community can help me with.
I have two types of virtual presence sensors set up: one using the GCal Presence DTH for scheduled presence, which is great for keeping my smart lights on when I’m away, and another using the Virtual Presence Plus DTH for manual control. Both show an on/off switch and a presence status in the SmartThings app. The Virtual Presence device works perfectly—I can toggle it on and off, and the presence updates accordingly. But the GCal Presence device just spins when I try to control it, which is pretty frustrating.
Neither of these virtual presence sensors is available as an ‘IF’ condition in the automation setup. I was really hoping to create a rule where if either of these sensors detects ‘presence,’ it would trigger certain actions, like turning on lights or adjusting the thermostat. But without the ability to use them as triggers, it feels like I’m missing out on a lot of potential functionality.
I’ve tried reaching out to the developers of these DTHs, but I haven’t gotten much traction yet. In the meantime, I’m curious if anyone else has had success using virtual presence sensors as triggers in their automations. Any tips, workarounds, or insights would be incredibly appreciated!
On a more positive note, I’ve been really impressed with how seamless it is to integrate different devices into SmartThings. The fact that I didn’t need to install another app for the SmartThings water leak detector was a huge plus for me. It keeps things simple and clutter-free on my phone. I’m also loving how intuitive the SmartThings app is—it really makes it easy to create custom routines and automations without needing to be a tech wizard.
If anyone has any tips on how to make the most of virtual presence sensors or other devices in SmartThings, I’d love to hear them! Let’s keep the conversation going and help each other make our smart homes even smarter.