Location-based automations (geofences)

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Intro

With zendō, you can configure automations that run even when the app is closed or the phone is locked. These automations can be triggered when you arrive or leave a location, or when you open the app at or away from a specific location.

When a location-based automation is triggered, the zendō app will directly connect to your Home Assistant to start the automation, ensuring your privacy.

Location-based automations are linked to the people you invite to your home. Automations will automatically apply to all new devices (e.g. phones/tablets) you add for a person. If you change your phone, you don’t have to do anything; automations will just work.

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Geofences vs zendō location-based automations

Location-based automations on zendō are slightly different from traditional geofences.

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Difference 1: location-based automations are a “status update”

Geofences only trigger when arriving or leaving a location. If they fail, you can’t manually run the automation.

In contrast, location-based automations on zendō run when arriving or leaving a location, but they also run when you open the app at or away from that location. Think of them as a “status update”: a signal is sent to Home Assistant when you’re at or away from the location (rather than just notifying your Home Assistant when you arrive or leave).

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Difference 2: what happens when the automation doesn’t run

Geofences run when you arrive or leave a location. If the mobile signal is weak or the phone is not connected to the internet, they will simply fail silently.

Location-based automations on zendō also run when you arrive or leave a location. However, if the mobile signal is weak or the phone is not connected to the internet, a notification will appear on the screen, prompting you to open the app.

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Why a different implementation

We’ve chosen a different implementation to improve traditional geofences, making them more robust.

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Set up location-based automations on Home Assistant

The zendō location-based automations are like “status updates”. To set them up, create an input_boolean for each location-based automation you set up on zendō. Set the input_boolean to true/on as the at-the-location action and false/off otherwise.

Now, you can automate based on the status of this input_boolean:

• When the input switches from on to off, the person is not at the location (e.g., they’ve left home)
• When the input switches from off to on, the person is at the location (e.g., they’ve arrived home)

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Home/Away automations

Home/Away automations are great to know if someone is at home or not, allowing you to adjust your home’s settings to save energy or for optimal comfort.

To set up a new automation:

1. Tap
   (Settings)
2. Tap “Location-based automations”
3. Select the person the automation will apply to
4. Tap “Add automation”
5. Make sure “Automation type” is set to “Home/Away”
6. Select the actions for at home and not at home
   1. If you’ve setup input_boolean, select “On/Off” action
   2. Otherwise, select “Automation” action

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Inspiration: what you can automate

Here are some examples of cool automations you can set up:

• Your home can save energy during the day when you’re away by turning off lights and setting the thermostat to Eco mode
• Your home will be comfortably heated or cooled by the time you arrive
• You’ll be greeted home with lights (only after sunset)

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Automations are not working

If something is not working, please check our troubleshoot guide.