HomeKit automation from sunset to certain time

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Level 1

10 points

HomeKit automation from sunset to certain time

I might not be searching it correctly, but I couldn’t find a good answer to my question. I feel like there isn’t a way to do what I want, but I’ll ask anyway.

I have a set of hue lights that turn on right now with an ecobee sensor (via motion). Right now I have the automation set from 4:30-8pm to turn the lights on in 3 bedrooms (master bedroom and 2 kids bedrooms) when the sensor detects motion during that time. Is there a way to set this automation to do sunset until 8pm? I don’t want it to trigger after 8 as my kids are asleep then, but obviously with sunset adjusting sometimes it’s going to go on to early or too late. As of right now as far as I know if I select the sensor to trigger at sunset I can only have it go until sunrise which, which won’t work because I don’t want the lights going on in the middle of the night; and one of the kids is 6 months so we are up in the middle of the night to feed him.

iPhone 11, iOS 13

Posted on Feb 7, 2020 2:27 PM

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Answer 1

Feb 16, 2020 6:48 PM in response to chris_g1

Chris_g1 -- I have exactly the same issue as Andruw91, but there's no product feedback option for either the Home app or the Shortcuts app.

This is such an obvious use case (motion sensor turns on lights but only after sunset) that it seems like it should have been included in version one, but after several updates neither the Home app nor the Shortcuts app appear to support this option.

M

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Answer 2

chris_g1

Community Specialist

Feb 10, 2020 8:44 AM in response to Andruw91

Hey there Andruw91,

Thank you for posting in the Apple Support Communities. I understand you are attempting to set up HomeKit automations to turn on your hue lights from sunset to 8:00pm.

It sounds like you may need to rely on specific times, if you are unable to create automations that mix both sunset and a specific time.

You may want to share your feedback regarding this functionality: Product Feedback

Have a good one!

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Answer 3

Andruw91 Author

Level 1

10 points

Feb 17, 2020 2:18 PM in response to Mark Hurty

It seems like such a practical application but in my opinion Apple doesn’t seem to care to add these features for whatever reason.

I feel the same about do not disturb. It’s one size fits all. I can’t imagine it’s that difficult to be able to program do not disturb for different times for different days (like for the weekend; or if your a college student who has classes that start at different times). They can add in do not disturb based on location or an appointment you have in your calendar, but can’t let you program different schedules for it?

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HomeKit automation from sunset to certain time

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