11 of the coolest IFTTT recipes for your smart home

Got a flat full of smart devices? Good. Now it’s time to make them even smarter. IFTTT can help: the “If This, Then That” platform helps bridge the gap between various smart home gadgets and unlocks new features that you didn’t even know existed. You can experiment and make your own applets/recipes – or you can use proven options for free. Get started by trying a few of these and unlock your smart flat’s true brilliance.

1) TURN YOUR THERMOSTAT INTO A SECURITY CAM

The Nest thermostat’s motion detector can be harnessed in a unique way with this IFTTT applet. Set it live and you’ll get a smartphone notification via the IFTTT mobile app anytime someone walks in front of your Nest. It’s a handy trick if you live alone and don’t want to invest in a camera setup, although potentially troublesome if you have flatmates or pets. Applet name: Get a mobile notification when your Nest detects motion

2) GET AN AUTO-LOCKING FRONT DOOR

This IFTTT applet lets you pair your Android phone with your home Wi-Fi network, and anytime you leave the network’s range, the door will automatically lock. We can see how connectivity issues could throw a wrench into this one here and there, but hey, it’s better than being robbed. Applet name: Lock your door when leaving home network

3) FIND YOUR PHONE… WITH YOUR LIGHT SWITCH

Light switches are traditionally pegged with simple tasks: flick up for lights, flick down for darkness. With this applet, though, you can give a long press to your WeMo light switch and have a call placed to your U.S. phone number, helping you find your smartphone in a hurry. Applet name: If I lose my phone, call it with a long press of my WeMo Light Switch

4) HUE LIGHTS CHANGE WITH THE WEATHER

Prince’s legendary music lives on after his untimely death, but you can take it to the next level with IFTTT and colour-changing Philips Hue lights. Using this wonderfully creative applet, you can have your lights automatically change to purple anytime that rain is nearby. Applet name: Purple Rain: turn your lights to purple when it rains

5) HAVE A ROBO-ASSISTANT ON CALL

If you’re forgetful, have trouble keeping tabs on to-do lists, or simply prefer to dictate your notes, then this applet might be for you. If you have the Google Assistant handy, ideally via Google Home or a Nougat-packed Android phone could do, check it out. Once equipped, simply say, “OK Google, tell Evernote…” and continue your message, then the note will be punted up to the cloud note storage system. Applet name: Create a note in Evernote using Google Assistant

6) WAKE UP TO A PERFECT SUNRISE

Your sleep schedule may not always line up perfectly with that of the sun – so why not simulate the sensation on your own time? That’s what this IFTTT applet can do with the super-cool Nanoleaf Aurora modular light panels. Pick a time and the panels will gradually recreate the sensation of the sun rising to rustle you out of bed. Applet name: Nanoleaf Aurora Light Alarm

7) BUILD AN AUTOMATED PET FEEDER

Why not build your own automatic feeding apparatus? Yes, this project is quite a bit more complex than the simple applets on this list, but it’s still powered by an IFTTT applet that sets the time for each daily feeding. You’ll need a few LittleBits devices and some crafting ability, but the company’s own tutorial can walk you through it all. Applet name: Feed my fish every day at 10am with littleBits Remote Pet Feeder

8) MAKE YOUR HOUSE WAKE UP WITH YOU

If you greet each new day with a burst of energy, why not have your flat do exactly the same thing? If you have a Fitbit and Philips Hue lights, you can put this inventive applet to use to trigger your lights when you roll out of bed. The Hue lights actually trigger once Fitbit records a new sleep in your account log, which means starting the day will also flip the switch for your smart lights as well. Applet name: Automatically turn on your Hue lights when your Fitbit senses you’re awake

9) TURN AN OLD PHONE INTO A SECURITY CAMERA

This IFTTT applet actually does give you a proper security camera… and you might already have the tech you need at home. Manything is an app that lets you use an old iOS or Android device as a makeshift security camera, and IFTTT plays a critical role here as well. With this IFTTT applet, you’ll get a video clip sent via email anything movement is detected. Applet name: Receive a video recording via email when motion is detected

10) MAKE YOUR DUMB LIGHTS LOCATION-AWARE

No smart bulbs? You can still add a bit of smarts to your simple, low-tech lighting. Thanks to this applet, you can add location awareness to any blubs plugged into a WeMo switch. When your phone enters or exits the set location (i.e. your flat), the switch will trigger on or off, either giving you a grand entrance or saving some energy while you’re away. Applet name: Toggle a WeMo Switch on or off when you arrive or leave your home

11) HAVE ALEXA PRINT YOUR SHOPPING LIST

Even if your home is loaded with digital devices, you may still feel better about hitting the grocery store with a proper list in hand. Dictate your shopping list to Alexa, and when you’re ready to hit the shop, ask her to tell you what’s on the list – with this applet equipped, it’ll also be sent to your HP printer’s email address, and then printed out in a jiffy. Ta-da! Digital meets physical. Applet name: Print your Alexa shopping on your HP wireless printer