After updating my iPhone to iOS 16.1, the AppleTV to tvOS 16.1 and the HomePod Mini to HomePod Software version 16.1, I was able to get the Current Weather and Weather Forecast functions to work in HomeKit automation shortcuts. However, just updating the software wasn’t enough. I had to delete and recreate the automations to […]
The iOS 16.1 update fixes the Weather function bug Read More »
As I’m sure a lot of you have already noticed, there are problems with using the Weather function in HomeKit automations (shortcuts). They work fine if you’re test run them in the Home app, but not when triggered normally. Let’s hope these are fixed in the next update.
Problems with automations using the Weather function in iOS 16 Read More »
Now it’s time to finally look at how we can use what we’ve done in part 1 and part 2, and add the ability to use offsets with sunrise and sunset time. When we’re talking about offsets, we mean using for example the time of the sunrise in a conditional but shifted by a predetermined
It seems like some HomeKit Automations are still broken in the release version of iOS 15 / tvOS 15. For instance, HomeKit shortcuts using conditional if statements where the brightness off a room (with a lux meter / motion sensor), or even the brightness of a lamp is checked, these conditionals are always interpreted as
Some HomeKit Automations (using shortcuts) are broken in iOS 15 / tvOS 15 Read More »
This is part two of the power of the Format Date function, and it will build on what we looked at in part 1. We’ll look at how we can utilize the Format Date function for use with the sunrise and sunset. In part three we’ll look at using this technique with offsets (for example if
In this post, we’ll have a look at how we can use a motion sensor to turn your lights off with HomeKit, but not before giving you a warning before doing so. I suggest that you start by looking at an earlier post about how to use a motion sensor to turn on and off
I was asked to create a HomeKit automation that turns on a certain light at 4:30AM if the sun has not already risen. This is a good exercise to play with Weather and the wealth of useful information therein. We’ll start by opening either the Home or Shortcuts app. We then choose Automation (at the
Using both time of day and sunrise as a criteria in a shortcut Read More »
Using motion sensors to turn your lights on and off is both comfortable and can help you save energy. This works best for areas in the home where you pass through, or rooms where you are not perfectly still for a longer period of time. We’ve got a small kitchen that is mostly used for
How to use a motion sensor to turn on and off your lights with HomeKit Read More »
In part two we’ll look at a more advanced example of using time of day as a parameter when writing a HomeKit shortcut. You can find part 1 here. If you need a more in-depth explanation on how to get started, please check the first Do more with the Hue Dimmer Switch (or any switch)
How to use time of day as a parameter when writing HomeKit shortcuts (part 2) Read More »
Using time of day as a parameter might be useful for determining the brightness or color of your lights to be used when turning on your lights. Perhaps you want a higher brightness level in the middle of the day, and a softer warmer light in the evening. This isn’t as straightforward to do in
How to use time of day as a parameter when writing HomeKit shortcuts (part 1) Read More »