How to Set up home automations
1 Create an automation
Tap Automation in the bottom bar of the Home app. The first time you do this there’s only one thing you can do next: tap the ‘Create new Automation’ button. You’ll then be shown a list of possible trigger conditions.
2 Pick a trigger type
An automation can be triggered by your arrival at or departure from a place; a time of day; when your actions change a device’s status, such as opening a door or turning off a light; or when a sensor detects, for example, smoke or motion.
3 Automate by location
Choose location and you’ll see a map with your position marked, above which are locations you’ve searched for in the past, plus a search bar to look up a new place. Pick a place, then tap either When I Arrive or When I Leave above the map.
4 Step title to go here
Next, drag the blue handle on the edge of the circular boundary that’s shown around the location you chose, so that the boundary roughly covers the distance at which you want your automation to occur. Finally, tap Next.
5 Automate by time
When automating by time, you have three options: sunrise or sunset, which will adjust automatically during the year, or a precise, fixed time. Below, tap the days so that only those on which the automation should occur are highlighted.
6 Automate by status
The remaining two trigger types activate when an accessory’s status changes due to your action or sensor data. Tap the accessory that’ll trigger the automation, tap Next, then pick the state at which your automation will kick in.
7 Set accessory response
After setting up your trigger, you’ll be shown scenes you’ve set up, and all your accessories listed by room. Tap one or more of those you want to control, then Next. You’ll then see a summary of your trigger and what will be controlled.
8 Contextual options
Depending on the trigger, you may see an option to limit the automation to after sunset. Apply a long/deep press to a scene or accessory, set its desired state and tap outside the controls to return to the summary. Once all are set, tap Done.
9 Check automations
Tap Automation in the bottom bar at any time to see the routines you’ve set up. It includes those created in Home or an accessory’s own app, which may provide extra features, such as this chart of historical readings in Elgato’s Eve app.
10 Identify automations
As the list of automations grows, you’ll need to scroll down to reach the button to create one. Sadly, automations can’t be reordered or renamed, but the trigger icons to their left go a little way to helping you find the one you want to edit.
11 Automation summaries
Each row mentions accessories and scenes it controls, which can help you to distinguish the one you want to edit. You’ll see a number if there are too many to list, so you may still end up having to tap through to identify the correct one.
12 Disable or delete
Tap an automation and you’ll find a switch that enables you to disable it – say, because you don’t want your heating on in summer even after sunset. If you no longer need an automation, swipe left on it in the automations list and tap Delete.