Change ST mode

[orionrobert (Ryan)]

Is there a way to change the Mode (i.e. Away/Home/Night) within the app? I’m using iOS, and I cannot change the mode unless I have a routine do it. The only way I can even find the mode is by clicking the “More” tab at the bottom (It tells you the mode at the top of the screen, but you cannot change it here), and then click the gear at the top. This takes you to a screen wher the modes are listed at the bottom, but you cannot change them.

TLDR: Does anyone know how to change the mode within the app without running a routine?

[JDRoberts]

You used to be able to, but they removed the ability in late 2015 and they never put it back. I don’t know why.

FAQ: How to Add a New Location Mode, or Manually Change from One Location Mode to Another (Classic App)

on September 15, 2016, an update was released to the android and iOS smartthings mobile apps which removed the ability to add a new mode through the app. Hopefully this was just a glitch and it will be re-added soon. Meanwhile, you can still add a new mode through the IDE. Instructions in the following thread. ======================================================= Many people use modes to manage which actions are automatically triggered. To begin with, Smartthings starts you out with a few basic modes, like Home and Away. However, many people like to add additional modes. For example, I distinguish between Night, which is when we have a lot of lights turn on when there is motion, and Asleep, when the same movement will not turn on the ceiling lights, but will turn on a soft night li…

So now you have two options. Either a routine, as you mentioned, or set up a virtual switch and have that switch coming on run a routine which changes the mode.

FAQ: Creating a virtual Groovy Device [OBSOLETE]

Need a FAQ for the simplest version of this: a virtual on/off switch. Maybe even two FAQs, one for why you would want one with use case examples and one step by step how to for creating one in ST. Thanks! 2023 Update Since groovy will be going away soon, so will groovy virtual switches. See the new FAQ for on the replacements: FAQ: Creating Virtual Devices Without the IDE

If you set up a room for your mode switches, which many of us have done, it may be faster to get to if that’s the issue.

Alternatively, if you just stick with a routine, you can make the routine into a widget so that also gives you quicker access.

In my personal opinion, none of these is as satisfying as the original method of just being able to change it through the app but there it is. At our house, we use mode switches in a room just so we don’t have to scroll through all the other routines.

[orionrobert (Ryan)]

Solid response.

[Cobra (Andy - United Kingdom)]

@orionrobert
I have been looking at this too
I’m setting up a couple of water sensors and switches to run routines and mode changes.
So I’ve been working on a little smartapp that responds to water sensors or virtual switches and changes modes or runs routines.

You are welcome to try the code if you wish.
You just need to configure a virtual switch for each mode you want to activate.

At the moment it is just coded for one switch (although could be installed multiple times) but I will probably change that to add a few more

[orionrobert (Ryan)]

changing the mode with a routine is simple. And you can also just create routine that changes the mode and then just run that routine. But that way you have to create a routine for each mode. The OP is asking if there is a way within the app to select the mode, similar to how you can use the app so set armed/disarmed.

[bigverm23]

yes but it seems if you add a mode through the IDE, it doesnt show up in Webcore for example.

[Smartphi]

Mode added just today. Working here.
My mode is named 1pm-3pm