Advancing Apple Home Automation
We are thrilled to announce the release of Controller for HomeKit Version 7.1, bringing a new and advanced feature to the Apple Home ecosystem: grouped conditions. This marks the first time such an automation capability has been available in any Apple Home app.
Grouped conditions in Controller for HomeKit introduce a significant advancement in home automation, allowing users to create highly sophisticated rules by combining both "AND" and "OR" logic within a single automation. This level of complexity is a first in the Apple Home ecosystem, offering capabilities that go beyond the basic automation options available in other HomeKit apps.
Benefits of Grouped Conditions
Greater Flexibility: By combining "AND" and "OR" logic in one automation, you can create rules that are both comprehensive and specific, tailoring automations to your exact needs.
Streamlined Automations: Instead of needing multiple automations to cover different scenarios, grouped conditions allow you to consolidate complex logic into a single automation.
Advanced Control: This feature enables more precise control over how and when your devices respond, making your smart home setup more responsive and aligned with real-world conditions.
How Grouped Conditions Work
In standard HomeKit automations, conditions could typically only be linked using either "AND" or "OR" logic. This meant you were limited to simpler automations where all conditions had to be met simultaneously (using "AND") or where just one condition had to be true (using "OR").
With grouped conditions in Controller for HomeKit, you can now use both "AND" and "OR" operators together in the same automation. This allows you to build much more complex and nuanced automations that respond to a combination of conditions.
To help users fully understand and take advantage of this powerful new feature, we have updated our free Controller course in HomeDevices to include comprehensive guidance on grouped conditions.
Examples of Grouped Conditions
Home Security Alert:
Trigger Event: Motion detected
Conditions:
After 9:00 PM
AND (Window 1 open OR Window 2 open OR Garage door open OR Front door open OR Garden gate open)
Action: Turn on the warning light.
Explanation: This automation is triggered by motion detection but only turns on the warning light if it’s after 9:00 PM and any of the specified entry points (windows, doors, gates) are open. The use of both "AND" and "OR" conditions allows the automation to account for multiple possible security breaches in a single setup.
Smart Irrigation System:
Trigger Event: 9:00 PM
Conditions:
No motion detected in the garden
AND (Soil Moisture Sensor 1 < 20% OR Soil Moisture Sensor 2 < 20%)
Action: Turn on the sprinkler.
Explanation: This automation activates at 9:00 PM but only proceeds if no motion is detected in the garden and at least one of the soil moisture sensors indicates dry conditions. Here, both "AND" and "OR" logic are used: the automation will only run if the "no motion" condition is met and either of the soil moisture sensors detects low moisture.
With grouped conditions, Controller for HomeKit takes home automation to a new level, offering features that were previously impossible in other HomeKit apps. This capability allows for a more customized, intelligent and efficient smart home experience.