Alexa is an incredibly powerful digital assistant that’s compatible with a wide variety of devices. Boost Alexa’s power and capabilities by using IFTTT recipes, or applets, to activate Alexa skills and save even more time and effort.
IFTTT is an acronym for If This Then That. It’s a free, third-party service that uses simple scripts to help you do more with hundreds of the apps and devices you use every day. To use IFTTT recipes, head to the IFTTT website and select Get Started. After registering, select three or more devices or services you use often, including Alexa. Then choose from a wide selection of IFTTT applets.
We’ve compiled a list of the nine best IFTTT applets for Alexa. Try them out and see just how easy and fun it is to automate mundane tasks.
You may need to enable IFTTT on your smartphone, apps, and other devices before an applet can be turned on. The IFTTT site will notify you with instructions on how to enable the applet.
Turn on the Lights When the Alarm Goes Off
Your alarm might be loud, but the bed is so cozy and your room is nice and dark. Alexa can help you get up on time by switching on the lights as soon as your alarm begins to sound. If you are already using Alexa’s alarm feature to wake you up, adding this smart light bulb feature is easy, helping you beat that morning sluggishness and stop oversleeping.
Easty to set up.
Works with Philips Hue smart light bulbs.
Hitting the Snooze button isn’t as relaxing with lights blaring.
Works with Philips Hue Lights.
Make a Cup of Coffee
Have a fresh, hot pot of Joe waiting for you when you step out of bed if you have an Alexa-connected brewer and this IFTTT app. All you have to do is say, “Alexa, trigger brew coffee,” and your coffee maker will start.
Incredibly convenient and easy.
You can get up a few minutes later.
There isn’t yet a wide variety of Alexa-enabled coffee makers.
You still have to remember to add coffee grounds and water the night before.
Works with Mr. Coffee Smart Coffee Maker with WeMo.
Find Your Phone
Misplacing our phones is a common problem, but when Alexa calls your phone for you, it’s easy to find. With this applet, provide your phone number and then accept a phone call from IFTTT to get a PIN. Enter the PIN, and then choose whether to create a custom command or use the default command to activate this skill.
Compatible with any type of phone.
If phone is on vibrate, or silenced, you may not be able to hear it.
If you use the default, then when you need to find your phone, you simply say, “Alexa, trigger find my phone,” and she will call your phone.
Adjust the Temperature
A smart thermostat, such as Nest, connects to your smart home network and can be programmed to adjust automatically on a schedule you define. But what if it’s still too warm or not warm enough? With this applet all you have to say is, “Alexa, trigger Nest to 72 degrees,” add Alexa will adjust your thermostat.
Set up a custom phrase so adjusting your thermostat is quick and easy.
You have to make sure your thermostat is set to the right mode, such as Cool or Heat.
Works with the Nest Learning Thermostat.
Pause Your Child’s Internet Access
Homework, chores, or dinnertime? If you have a Circle with Disney device and app, restrict your child’s screen time simply by saying, “Alexa, trigger pause [kid’s name].” Circle will shut off internet access for that person’s device.
Easy and convenient if you have any Circle with Disney smart device and app.
If your kids are savvy enough, they can use another IFTTT applet to unpause their internet (or even to block yours!).
Works with Circle With Disney.
Send Your Shopping List to Your Phone
You head to the grocery store but realize you don’t have your list. Thanks to this IFTTT applet, Alexa can send your shopping list to your Android phone as a text message.
You don’t have to carry a shopping list around with you.
Easy and convenient.
Works only with Android phones.
Must use Alexa to create your grocery shopping list.
Works with Android smartphones.
Lights Blink When a Timer Goes Off
Want to listen to an audiobook while your tea steeps, or rock out while your cake bakes? With this applet, your Philips Hue smart light bulbs blink blue when your Alexa timer goes off. Simply say, “Alexa, set a timer for X minutes.”
It’s easy to connect Philips Hue lights to IFTTT.
Set timers for any length of time.
Blue is the only option, which may not be especially noticeable during the day.
Lock Up at Night
If you’ve ever laid in bed at night wondering if you locked the front door, closed the garage, or turned off a light, this is the skill for you. Once enabled, all you have to do is say “Trigger lockdown” (or set up your own custom phrase). Alexa will lock up the house by turning off the lights, closing the garage door, and even muting your phone.
If you are using any other Philips Hue applets, you will only need to provide access to your Garageio controller.
Setting up your phone is simple.
This applet does not apply to smart locks, which would round out the recipe nicely.
It only works with Android smartphones.
Works with Philips Hue lights, the Garageio Smart Home Garage Door Controller, and Android Smartphones.
Lights Out at Bedtime
If it feels like you spend 10 minutes wandering around turning off lights before bed each night, you’ll love this recipe. All you have to say is, “Alexa, trigger bedtime,” and all connected lights will turn off immediately.
Quick setup.
No special software needed.
Add all of your lights to a single group and this recipe shuts them all down at one time.
You will have to set up groups and adjust the settings if you want to turn multiple lights out at once.
Works with Philips Hue lights.
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