Scenes, in HomeKit, are action groups that affect the accessories in your smart home. Instead of having to access the Home app for iOS and adjust the settings for each light / fan / shadow / thermostat individually, you can configure common actions in groups. You could, for example, have a scene called "Good Night" that will turn off all the lights in your home, set the thermostat to a cooler temperature and attract the hues.

Automation, on the other hand, are ways in which your smart home can be controlled. You can use your device's location, a specific time of day, and other accessories to trigger Scenes and make adjustments to your smart home. You can, for example, set up an automation that will light up the incoming light every time you unlock the smart lock you installed on the front door. You can also have certain lights in your home (such as yard lights) on or off depending on the sunrise and sunset.

Sure, it's neat that you can control your lights with the sound of your voice - "Hey Siri, turn off the light in my bedroom." - but it's better not to think about controlling your smart home, but to let it do most of the work for you. One really intelligent the house is made smarter by scenes and automation.

How to set up scenes in the Home app on iOS and iPadOS

1. Launch the Home app for iPhone or iPad.
2. Click on Add button in the upper right corner of the screen (looks like an extra sign).

3. touch Add scene.

   

4. Give your scene Name.
   • You may Change the icon for your scene Touch the Home icon to the left of the stage name.
5. touch Add accessories.

6. Choose Accessory you want to add them to your scene by tapping on them.

   

7. touch Done when you have selected your accessories.
8. Long press or 3D Touch Accessory in your scene to change their settings.

9. touch Done when you have adjusted the accessory settings to your satisfaction.

   • Touching Test this scene will show you what the scene will do. It gives you a chance to make sure you've set everything to your satisfaction.
   • Touching Add accessories will allow you to add more accessories to your scene.
   • Touch the button on / off switch next Include in Favorites will add or remove this scene from your favorite scenes.

   

How to set up home automation on iOS and iPadOS

When you're ready to level your smart home with automation (these are the things that make your smart home work on your own), start the Home for iOS app and hit!

1. Launch Home application.
2. Click on Automation tab.

3. Click on Add button in the upper right corner of the screen (looks like an extra sign).

   

4. Choose When you want automation to occur.
5. Call your Certain moment.

6. Select Specific days that you want the automation to work by pressing one day of the week in the Repeat section.

   

7. touch people to have automation running when certain people are at home or away.
8. touch Next →.

9. Choose which Accessory or scenes you would like to control with this automation.

   

10. touch Next →.
11. Long press or 3D Touch Accessory in your automation to change settings.

12. touch Done.

    

Questions and thoughts?

Do you use scenes and automation in your HomeKit configuration? What's your favorite? If you didn't set up a scene or automation, were you inspired to get a crack? Share your thoughts and troubleshooting questions in the comments below!

Updated September 2019: Updated for iOS 13.