Apple’s HomeKit is a smart home platform designed for seamless integration with Apple devices, offering secure and intuitive control over smart accessories like lights, locks, and thermostats. With built-in privacy protections and local processing, HomeKit ensures a reliable and safe smart home experience. Integrating HomeKit with IFTTT can further expand its automation capabilities, enabling connections with third-party services and smart devices that may not have native HomeKit support.
What is HomeKit?
HomeKit provides a unified platform for managing and automating smart home devices through the Apple Home app, Siri, and Shortcuts. Users can create custom scenes, triggers, and automations to streamline daily routines, whether controlling devices remotely, scheduling actions, or using voice commands. By leveraging the Shortcuts app, HomeKit users can build advanced automations, linking smart devices with apps and services beyond Apple’s ecosystem for even greater flexibility.
What is IFTTT?
Trusted by millions worldwide, IFTTT (If This, Then That) is a user-friendly automation platform that connects apps, devices, and services without requiring any coding. It works through Applets—customizable automations that link Triggers ("if this") to Actions ("then that"), enabling seamless automation across different platforms. With a vast range of supported services, IFTTT allows users to create personalized automations tailored to their needs.
Get started with IFTTT today and unlock a smarter, more connected digital experience with one of the most versatile automation tools available.
How to connect IFTTT with Apple HomeKit
You can connect IFTTT with HomeKit using the Shortcuts app as a bridge. The Home app allows you to connect accessories like cameras, smart lights, garage doors, and more. See Apple's full list of supported accessories here. You’ll create an automation in the Home app that triggers a Shortcut, which in turn triggers an IFTTT Applet using the iOS Shortcuts Service.
Step 1: Set up a Home Hub
Apple HomeKit requires a HomePod, HomePod Mini, or Apple TV to add accessories and enable automations.
Follow Apple’s guide on setting up a Home Hub if you haven't done this yet.
Step 2: Add your accessories
You can only add accessories to the Home app using an iPhone or iPad.
- Turn on the accessory and ensure it’s near your device.
- Tap the + button at the top of the Home app and select Add Accessory.
- If it doesn’t appear automatically, follow the instructions to add it manually.
Tip: You can organize accessories into Rooms and group Rooms into Zones for easier control.
Step 3: Create a Scene
In the Home app:
- Tap the + button and choose Add Scene.
- Select Custom, then give your scene a name (e.g., "IFTTT 1" or "IFTTT 2").
- Add at least one accessory to save the scene—choose something that works in tandem with your IFTTT Applet (e.g., a light turns off in HomeKit while a smart plug turns on via IFTTT).
- Tap Done to finish creating the scene.
Step 4: Set up your automation
In the Home app:
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Tap the + button and select Add Automation.
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Choose how you want to trigger the automation:
- An Accessory is Controlled — triggered when an accessory turns on/off.
- A Sensor Detects Something — for sensor-based triggers.
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Select the accessory that will initiate the automation and tap Next.
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Choose the scene you created earlier (e.g., "IFTTT 1") and tap Next.
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Tap Done to save the automation.
Step 5: Create an Applet in IFTTT
Before creating your Shortcut, set up an IFTTT Applet:
- Head to ifttt.com/create to begin creating an Applet.
- Select the iOS Shortcuts service in IFTTT.
- Choose the Shortcut Automation Started trigger.
- Combine this with your desired action (e.g., "Turn on Smart Plug").
- Save the Applet and customize its name for easy identification in Shortcuts.
Step 6: Create a Shortcut.
In the Shortcuts app:
- Tap the + button to create a new Shortcut.
- Scroll down and select Trigger Applet under the IFTTT app.
- Tap Select an Applet, then find and select the Applet you created in Step 5.
- Tap Done to save your Shortcut.
Step 7: Create a Shortcuts Automation
In the Shortcuts app:
- Go to the Automation tab and tap the +.
- Choose Scene is Activated as the trigger.
- Select the scene you created in Step 3.
- Tap Next and add the Shortcut you created in Step 6 as the action.
- Tap Done to save your automation.
And You're Done!
Now, whenever the scene is activated in the Home app, the Shortcut will run and trigger your IFTTT Applet. This allows you to bridge HomeKit and IFTTT seamlessly!