Steps to have patio lights turn on upon my arrival in new app?

[derekwbeck]

I’ve got one foot in each ST app now, reluctantly. I was avoiding the new one but the old one’s presence detection of my cell phone died maybe a year ago, so I’m finally trying to get the new app to work. And I cannot figure it out.

How exactly do I enable something simple like, if I am gone and then come home, the patio light turns on? Or vice versa.

I’m pretty sure I have the location and presence of the new app enabled properly. And I did an automation that I thought would do what I’m asking here, and tried other tweaks, but it won’t work.

Thanks so much!

[RBoy (www.rboyapps.com - Making SmartThings Easy!)]

There’s an issue (or feature depending on how you see it) in the new ST app automation builder. It doesn’t trigger based on “events” for presence sensors. E.g. it doesn’t trigger when someone arrives or leaves, but instead it checks for if someone is present or absent. That may be the reason why you aren’t able to get it to work using the Automation tool.

Alternatively, if you have access to RBoy Apps, try this app. One of the many features it to turn on a switch when someone arrives. It also has an option to turn on lights if it’s getting dark outside when someone arrives.

[RELEASE] Garage Door Manager to Open and Close Automatically when People Arrive/Leave with Timer and Actions

On popular request request here is a SmartApp to have the Garage Door Open and Close Automatically when people arrive or leave with Timers, Actions and Motion Detection. Originally part of the Enhanced Z-Wave Garage Door controller device handler, it has been enhanced and made compatible with a wide variety of garage door controllers including MyQ, Virtual Garage Door Controller, Meross WiFi Garage Door controllers and other SmartThings compliant garage door controller devices. [IMG_6111] [IMG_6104] [IMG_6105] [IMG_6106] [IMG_6107] [IMG_6109] Key feature summary: Open garage doors when people arrive Delay opening Turn on switches/lights Turn on lights only if it’s dark outside Set operating schedules (Start/End Time and Days of Week) Set operating modes Close garage doors when…

[JDRoberts]

Do you have a screenshot of what you set up already?

It should be pretty straightforward as long as you chose location.mode as a trigger and not security.mode

Custom Automations in the SmartThings app

[JDRoberts]

@RBoy

It doesn’t trigger based on “events” for presence sensors. E.g. it doesn’t trigger when someone arrives or leaves, but instead it checks for if someone is present or absent.

That’s not what the official support article says.

https://support.smartthings.com/hc/en-us/articles/200292279-How-do-I-use-my-phone-as-a-presence-sensor-

I thought what you are describing is part of the new “pre-condition” feature. But not just regular presence.

What exactly does the "Precondition" check on Location mode do in Automations?

In the latest iOS version of the new App I noticed there’s now a Precondition slider as an advanced option for Location mode when used in an if condition. I can’t find any documentation on this anywhere (yet) … wondering if anyone on the forums knows what exactly it’s supposed to do. I see that when Precondition is enabled and used in combination with multiple devices (e.g. motion sensors) the Location mode is not included in the ANY/ALL list of conditions, which leads me to believe it’s Location mode AND (device condition OR device condition OR device condition). Beyond that, it’s not clear if it makes a difference in any other evaluation criteria.

Or am I confused?

@jkp

[RBoy (www.rboyapps.com - Making SmartThings Easy!)]

The actual behavior is different for presence sensors in the new app from what is described. It triggers automations based on current location vs events.

[7andy (Andy Edgeworth)]

I may be missing something here, but wouldn’t Smart Lighting do the job? Mode changes Away to Home, turn on lights.

[derekwbeck]

Here is my screenshot. It ran once today seemingly correctly, but didn’t a second time I left and came back.

Thanks for your help!

[derekwbeck]

PS I have blurred it, but if anyone is at home checks for my and my wife’s cell. I also have a light turn on, but that was beyond the scroll of my screenshot.

[derekwbeck]

I have continued testing and it maybe is working. I think the problem may have been competition with similar routines set up in the classic app. By removing those routines in the classic app, things appear to be working as expected now.

[hatallica]

@derekwbeck - I am just starting to play with phone presence, so let me confirm … is Away set as a Precondition in your automation?

[derekwbeck]

I do use Away as a precondition for my return automation. So, if the departure automation fails for any reason, the Hub will not be in away mode, and the return to home automation to switch it would then also fail.