Have Alexa Arm Your House

[JDRoberts]

FAQ 2017: Have Alexa/Google Home/IFTTT run a routine, change a mode, or arm/disarm Smart Home Monitor (SmartThings Classic)

Echo and Google home only recognize some device classes, specifically lights, switches, thermostats , and maybe locks. The official SmartThings/Alexa integration can run routines, but only routines that are limited to the device classes above. IFTTT has the same issue. The SmartThings service/channel can turn a single device on or off, but it doesn’t show routines or modes or smart home monitor status. So how can you use your voice assistant or IFTTT to change your mode, unlock a lock, or change smart home monitor armed status if the voice assistant/IFTTT won’t work with those kinds of devices? Fortunately, it’s easy. All you need to do is create a virtual switch and then have that virtual switch coming on turn on whatever routine you want. The echo/GH/IFTTT won’t even …