The Location service allows apps and websites to use information from cellular, Wi-Fi, and GPS networks to determine your approximate location. This means you can:
- Have the lights turn on when you get home
- Automatically record how much time you spend at work
- Automatically arm your security system when you leave
- Unmute your Android device when you get home
...plus hundreds of other use cases! To get started, you'll need to install the IFTTT app. Download it for iOS or Android.
Troubleshooting
Location service Applets will run when your device has notified IFTTT that it has entered or exited the defined area. Usually, this is pretty quick, but it does require the IFTTT app to be active and "listening" for the trigger.
If you are having trouble with an Applet using the Location service, the issue likely stems from your device settings. Android devices especially can have several settings that may interfere with the IFTTT app's ability to be prompt when it comes to triggering Applets with the Location service. Here are a few things to check for:
- Enable your WiFi setting. You don't need to be connected to a network, but having WiFi enabled should keep your location more accurate
- Make sure the IFTTT app is authorized to run in the background on your device
- Disable power-saving modes on your device
- Make sure your device is recognizing that you are at the correct location. Check on a maps app to see where your device has you located
- Reset your device to see if it improves the performance of your Location Applets
- If you are running Android 8.0 or above on your device, try enabling the setting that is described in this help article to see if it helps.
For more information about why we require location permissions even if your applet may not be using a location-based trigger, please check out our article Why does the IFTTT Android app require always-on location permissions?