Hey everyone, I just wanted to share a little project I’ve been working on to make my home smarter. I recently got a SmartThings starter kit and I’ve been playing around with different sensors and devices. One thing I’ve been curious about is whether I can use my iPhone as a presence sensor without needing an extra device. I mean, most of us have our phones with us all the time, right? So why not leverage that?
Let me walk you through what I’ve discovered. First, I set up the SmartThings hub and got all the basics connected—lights, locks, and the usual suspects. But I really wanted to take it a step further. I started researching if there was a way to use my iPhone’s location services to trigger automations when I arrive home or leave. Turns out, it’s totally possible!
Here’s how I did it:
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Enable Location Services: I made sure that location services were turned on for the SmartThings app. This is crucial because it allows the app to detect your phone’s location.
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Create a Routine: In the SmartThings app, I created a new routine under the Automations section. I set it to trigger when I arrive home based on my phone’s location.
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Customize the Automation: I linked the routine to turn on the lights, unlock the smart lock, and even set the thermostat to my preferred temperature. It’s like having a personal butler greet me as I walk in the door!
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Testing and Adjustments: I tested the setup a few times by leaving and coming back home. It worked perfectly, but I noticed that the geofence range was a bit too large, sometimes triggering the automation when I was still a block away. I adjusted the range in the app settings to make it more accurate.
This setup has been a game-changer for me. It’s not only convenient but also adds an extra layer of security since the lights and locks respond to my presence automatically. Plus, it’s eco-friendly because the lights only turn on when I’m actually home!
If you’re looking to integrate your phone into your smart home setup, I highly recommend giving this a try. It’s a simple way to add functionality without cluttering your space with extra sensors. Let me know if you have any questions or if you’ve tried something similar! 