Notice!
For geoPresence users: The recent iOS 16.4.1 update apparent made a significant update to Location Services and deleted all monitored locations. I am currently working on an update that will at least preserve the locations (assuming my update is installed prior to upgrading to iOS 16.4.1), but even so, you may need to manually re-associate any SmartThings devices with it’s respective location after the iOS upgrade.
The other option is to create a profile (Settings->Profiles) and associate all locations and SmartThings devices with it. I also recommend you include the SmartThings Token & Master Token as well as enable sharing. You can then email the profile to yourself before you do the iOS upgrade and re-import it after the iOS upgrade if your locations are deleted. See Settings->Help for assistance on creating a profile.
Update!
May 11 Update: geoPresence is now live on the App Store! Visit the product page here to get more details.
I haven’t posted an update to the Smart Home Dashboard yet that implements the location updates provided by this app, but I will soon.
May 8 Update: The Beta version has been updated to include the ability to create Profiles to make setting up family members even easier. Create a profile and assign the locations and devices you want associated with that user and then just AirDrop it to them. Just like that, they are up and running and any automations you have configured for those (probably virtual) devices just start working!
Apr 29 Update: The Beta version in the link above has been updated to include the ability to share settings and locations with other users via AirDrop and Mail. It also includes the ability to retrieve all devices with a Switch capability from SmartThings so they can be imported directly into geoPresence. Check it out and give me your feedback!
Apr 22 Update: I’m currently working on an update that will allow you to share locations and settings from your device with others running geoPresence . That really makes it easy to get other family members setup quickly.
I’ll post information, instructions and updates here: https://frydaydevelopment.com/geopresence
Problem Statement
I’ve personally had issues periodically, and I’ve heard a lot of others who also have issues with the default mobile presence sensor that SmartThings uses as part of their SmartThings App. Sometimes it just seems to stop working.
I’ve been working on an iOS (i-Phone) app that can run in the background and would allow you to create up to 20 (Apple limitation) Geo-Presence locations and would send updates to my Smart Home Dashboard upon arrival/departure at each location.
But while working on it, it occurred to me that I could probably extend it to send updates directly to SmartThings as well, turning a device on upon arrival and off upon departure. This would work with any SmartThings device that supports the “switch” capability (i.e., physical or virtual switch, some virtual presence sensors, etc.). I’m trying to judge interest in this feature before proceeding.
Besides the benefit of having a reliable presence sensor for home, it’s also a great way to keep track of other family members. Want to know when your spouse left work so you can get dinner started? Have an elderly family member that you want to know when they leave home, or arrive at the doctor’s office for an appointment?
If you believe this feature would be useful to you and you would be willing to Beta test an iOS (i-Phone) app, please send me an email with your email contact info and I’ll give you more details about how to get it once it’s ready for testing. If you don’t want to Beta test but think this would be of value to you, either comment on this post or send me an email to let me know. It’s a lot of work to get an iOS app published to the App Store, so I want to make sure others could use it before I go through the effort.
If you have any questions or comments about this feature, either comment on this post or send me an email.
Thank you.