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Q. Could you please write an updated article about how to use IFTTT? I heard it can be really useful, but I don’t know how to use it. I found an older article you did on it, but IFTTT seems to have changed a lot since then.
It seems IFTTT uses applets now instead of recipes, so I’m not sure what’s going on with it. Plus I heard you can use IFTTT with Alexa, which sounds great, but I don’t know how to do that.
Thanks for your help!
A. Great question! I have been meaning to write an updated article about IFTTT as much has changed since I first covered IFTTT at The Wonder of Tech: IFTTT- Tech to Make Your Life Easier!
About IFTTT
IFTTT stands for “If This Then That,” meaning if one thing happens (the trigger), then something else happens (the result). The idea behind IFTTT is to have tasks performed automatically when a trigger occurs.
In late 2016, IFTTT changed from using “recipes” to using “applets” to make its services more powerful. If you used recipes before on IFTTT, they’re now called applets. Recipes could have one result from a trigger, but applets can have multiple results from a trigger.
Applets can be now used with voice assistants, including Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. They can be used to control smart home devices, such as security cameras, smart lightbulbs, thermostats and more. And you can even use applets with voice assistants to control your smart home devices.
Triggers, the “this” in If This Then That, can include events such as:
- receiving a text message or email from an important person
- getting tagged on Facebook
- getting mentioned on Twitter
- a weather event
- important calendar appointments
- announcement by the World Health Organization
- asking Alexa, Siri or Google Assistant to perform a task
or thousands of other events.
The results, the “that” in If This Then That, can include:
- receiving an email or a text message
- activating a smart home device
- getting a notification on your phone
- making a calendar appointment
- setting a reminder
- posting to social media accounts
- saving photos
and plenty of others.
For example, you can use applets to alert you to important information, such as breaking news, social media mentions, or changes in stock prices.
You can also use applets to:
- get a text message when a stock price rises above a certain price
- save photos you’re tagged in on Facebook to Google Photos.
- set your Nest thermostat to a cooler temperature at night if the temperature drops, or
- get a notification when the International Space Station flies over your house.
The good news is that using IFTTT applets to simplify your life is easy and free.
According to IFTTT, 11 million users have created 54 million applets that get used 1 billion times each month to automate tasks.
Using IFTTT Applets
You can use IFTTT on your computer, phone and tablet. IFTTT is available via:
To get started, set up an account and begin exploring the applets that have already been created by other people. IFTTT will suggest some for you in its Discover section, or you can search for applets using keywords.
For example, you can find Applets for Voice Assistants if you want to use IFTTT with Alexa, Google Assistant or Siri. You can use Alexa on your Echo to brew coffee, or have Google Assistant call your device to find your phone, or have Siri turn the lights on in your house.
Search the Internet for the best IFTTT applets. Plenty of articles list IFTTT applets that can help you automate your life. You may discover applets that perform tasks you never imagined could be automated.
Check out:
- Make Use of Unusually Useful IFTTT Notification Applets You Shouldn’t Do Without
- Addictive Tips The 18 Best IFTTT Applets To Automate Your Life
- Tom’s Guide The Best IFTTT Applets
- The Wonder of Tech How IFTTT Can Make Your Phone Smarter and Your Life Easier
Creating Your Own Applets
Even with 54 million applets on IFTTT you may want to create your own. By creating your own applets, you can customize the triggers and results to perform the tasks that work best for you.
Creating an applet is easy. This video from IFTTT shows you in about two minutes how to create an applet:
Keeping Track of Your Applets
The more you use IFTTT, the more you’ll need to keep track of your applets. Say you’re using smart lightbulbs and they begin flashing. You might not remember what applet trigger you used to make them flash. Was it an email from your boss or a a warning from the World Health Organization about a zombie apocalypse? Hmmm…that could be important.
You can easily keep track of your applets. Go to your IFTTT account and click or tap on My Applets. There you can see all the applets you have active on your account. You can also control your applets by turning them on and off or editing them.
Checking your applets every so often is a good idea to make sure they’re still connected to your account. Some applets require that you sign into other accounts, such as social media accounts. You want to be sure your accounts are still current and that your applets are still working.
Your Thoughts
Have you used IFTTT to simplify your life? Which applets do you use? Have you ever created an applet?
Share your thoughts in the Comments section below!
*Zombie apocalypse image courtesy of Nikk via Flickr and Creative Commons
Great post Carolyn! Thanks for organizing this time saver. Will check out these applets later today
Hi Blake, Thanks, I’m glad you enjoyed this article. I hope you find many helpful applets at IFTTT. I also hope you have fun creating your own applets!
It looks cool. Thanks for sharing such an informative post
Thanks Carolyn
Hi Shabir, Yes, IFTTT is very cool. I hope you find applets that work well for you and make your life easier.