Hey everyone! I wanted to share my experience and a workaround I found for using my child’s iPhone as a presence sensor without giving them access to the SmartThings app. I’ve been using my own phone as a presence sensor to turn on lights when I arrive home and disarm the system, and it works great. However, for my child, I wanted something similar but without the risk of them accidentally messing up my routines.
I stumbled upon a solution that involves using the phone’s Wi-Fi connection status. If I’m home, I’m connected to my Wi-Fi network, and if I’m away, I’m on 3G/4G. This method doesn’t require the SmartThings app on my child’s phone, which solves my main concern. I’ve set up a virtual switch that responds to the state of the Wi-Fi connection. When the phone is connected to Wi-Fi, the switch turns on, and when it’s not, it turns off.
I also wanted to share a tip for anyone looking to integrate multiple brand devices. I’ve found that using a combination of presence sensors, smart cameras, and automated routines can create a seamless smart home experience. It’s all about finding the right balance between convenience and security.
If anyone has other tips or solutions for using smartphones as presence sensors without direct app access, I’d love to hear them! Let’s keep the ideas flowing! 