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In the Home app on iPhone, tap Add > Add Automation, choose an event such as motion, a lock being controlled, sunset, or someone arriving, then select the lights, accessories, or scene that should respond. The available trigger states depend on what each accessory exposes in Apple Home; hub requirements also vary by accessory protocol and the features you need.
How do I create an Apple Home automation?
- Open the Home app on iPhone. On the Home tab, tap Add, then tap Add Automation.
- Choose a trigger. Options include People Arrive or People Leave, A Time of Day Occurs, An Accessory is Controlled, and A Sensor Detects Something.
- Set the event and any conditions. Depending on the trigger, you can choose a person, time, accessory state, or sensor. Supported automations may also offer filters for days, time, or who is home.
- Choose what should happen. Select the accessories or scene, then set each accessory to the state you want—for example, turn a room light on.
- Save and test. Use Test This Automation when it is offered. In the Home app’s Automation area, you can later edit, test, enable or disable, or delete an automation. See Apple’s Home automation guide.
How do I make lights turn on when a motion sensor detects movement?
- Choose A Sensor Detects Something and select the motion sensor.
- Set any available time, day, or occupancy conditions to suit when the light should respond.
- Select the hallway light, another compatible accessory, or a scene, and set the desired state.
- Save and test by triggering the sensor and checking that the selected light responds.
Apple uses the example of a motion sensor turning on stairway lights. The exact conditions and sensor states you can select depend on the accessory and what it exposes in Home. For an automation that should run only in certain circumstances, check its available time and people filters. Apple describes sensor triggers and conditions in its guide to Home automation triggers in Shortcuts.
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Can unlocking my door trigger my lights?
Yes, if the lock is available in Apple Home and exposes a suitable control state. Create an automation with An Accessory is Controlled, select the lock, and choose the unlock or open state if Home offers it. Then select the lights or an arrival scene to run. Apple gives unlocking the front door as an example of an accessory action that can trigger a scene; the precise choices vary by accessory.
Test the automation with the lock’s available Home controls and confirm that the lights or scene respond as intended. Do not assume every lock exposes the same trigger states.
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When should I use a scene instead of selecting individual lights?
A scene groups states for several accessories so they can change together. Use one when an automation should produce a coordinated result—for example, an arrival scene that turns on selected lights, or a “Good Night” scene that turns lights off and locks the front door. A scene can be activated manually, with Siri, or by an automation. Apple explains scenes and automations in Create scenes and automations with the Home app.
How do I automate lights at sunset or when someone arrives?
Turn lights on around sunset
- Choose A Time of Day Occurs and select sunset.
- Choose the days and any available who-is-home condition.
- Select the lights or scene, set their desired state, then save and test.
Sunrise and sunset times change with the seasons. You can also use a set time instead of a solar event where that better fits your routine.
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Run an automation when someone arrives or leaves
Choose People Arrive or People Leave, then select the person and configure any available time or day conditions. Location automations have an additional setup requirement: the people included must have Share My Location enabled on the primary iPhone or iPad used to control the home, and that device must be selected as their location source. A Mac cannot trigger a location-based automation. See Apple’s instructions for Home scenes and automations.
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Do I need a HomePod or Apple TV for Home automations?
Not for every Home automation. Whether you need a hub depends on the accessory’s connection type and what you want to do with it:
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- Matter accessories: Apple says these require a home hub, such as a HomePod speaker or Apple TV 4K.
- Thread accessories: These require a Thread-enabled hub for automations, notifications, and control while away from home. Apple lists Apple TV 4K, HomePod (2nd generation), HomePod mini, or a compatible third-party Thread border router.
Before buying an accessory, verify that its exact model supports Apple Home and check whether it uses Wi-Fi, Thread, or another connection. A manufacturer’s own app support does not by itself establish Apple Home compatibility. Apple’s automation guide and Home overview describe these hub requirements.
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What should I check if an automation does not work?
- Check the accessories in Home. Confirm that both the trigger device and the target lights or lock have been added to Home and respond there.
- Test the actual event. Use Test This Automation after creating or editing it, then trigger the sensor, lock, or other event and check the resulting accessory state.
- Review conditions. A time, day, or who-is-home filter can prevent an automation from running outside the selected circumstances.
- Check location setup. For an arrival or departure trigger, verify Share My Location and confirm that the primary iPhone or iPad controlling the home is the selected location device.
- Check Thread hub compatibility. If a Thread accessory is unavailable for automations, notifications, or control away from home, verify the required Thread-enabled hub and the compatibility of the hub and accessory.
- Review the automation’s status. In the Automation area, edit it, enable it if disabled, or remove it if it is no longer needed. Some accessory flows also let you choose how long an accessory remains in a state.
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