iPhone Automations aren't working

[spytech]

I've been trying out the new Automation features since updating and I haven't got them to work.

I've set up 3 automations: one to turn off mobile data once it connects to my home Wi-Fi, another one to turn it back on once I leave home and another one to auto connect to my AirPlay server and play music once I connect to my home network. Neither worked. I've allowed the Shortcuts app to access location. What am I missing here?

 

[NoBoMac]

Hard to tell what's missing. But maybe nothing. Just tried to setup a similar Automation (turn off data when on home wifi), and also seeing nothing happening. As there is no "Ask before running" switch on that Automation, guessing not waiting for input, or if it is expecting, bug, in that no option to turn on/off and/or not prompting.

I too have just created a few Automations. Have only tested two so far, and it worked, but slowly (If Watch starts a running workout, turn on Do No Disturb; If workout ends, disable Do Not Disturb): took about 35 seconds for the start automation to run. The end automation was pretty much instant.

I have a gym Automation that is location based (also a DnD automation, just it's "until I leave this location"). Will be going to the gym tomorrow, so, will see how well that one works.

 

[spytech]

Hard to tell what's missing. But maybe nothing. Just tried to setup a similar Automation (turn off data when on home wifi), and also seeing nothing happening. As there is no "Ask before running" switch on that Automation, guessing not waiting for input, or if it is expecting, bug, in that no option to turn on/off and/or not prompting.

I too have just created a few Automations. Have only tested two so far, and it worked, but slowly (If Watch starts a running workout, turn on Do No Disturb; If workout ends, disable Do Not Disturb): took about 35 seconds for the start automation to run. The end automation was pretty much instant.

I have a gym Automation that is location based (also a DnD automation, just it's "until I leave this location"). Will be going to the gym tomorrow, so, will see how well that one works.

Thanks for the feedback. I've done further testing, removed all automations and set them back up. I did exactly as I did first time, but now it kind of worked. As I left home and headed up the street it notified me that I had left and asked if I wanted to run the automation... So there is indeed a need for an "Ask before running", which in my understanding is rather odd given it's supposed to be automated, as in, no user input. If this is how it works then I'm better off just toggling on/off the data switch... So if this is how it works, the end result will be I'll do as I've always did, won't bother and leave it always on.

I'd appreciate any feedback on how to actually run this in an automated way, or point me to documentation on how these automations work. If everything requires user input then it's not useful unless you have many things being triggered at the same time. I was excited to see this work as this is pretty much the only thing left that I missed from my Android days, but hey...

 

[2REPOU]

I have had the same issue. Tried to set up that it goes to DND when connecting to my work wifi and it does nothing. Tried several others with no luck

 

[spytech]

I have had the same issue. Tried to set up that it goes to DND when connecting to my work wifi and it does nothing. Tried several others with no luck

Thanks for the feedback as well. Wondering if this is dependent on our usage patterns? Did you leave the automation setup for a few days?

 

[2REPOU]

Thanks for the feedback as well. Wondering if this is dependent on our usage patterns? Did you leave the automation setup for a few days?

I did. It was set up when they first became available, then again when re-introduced. Never worked

 

[NoBoMac]

Another data point. Got to the gym, saw a Notification on the watch that automation ran/running (forgot exact wording). Dismissed, went to watch Control Panel, no crescent moon lit up. Checked phone, same. Since mirroring, both devices should have been in DnD.

EDIT: was just at a different location with a DnD automation I setup for. Yeah, need to tap the notification and tell it to run. Since I have AW, don't have to mess with the phone, so not too onerous. Really should have a "don't ask" option like the watch workout automations.

 

[spytech]

Another data point. Got to the gym, saw a Notification on the watch that automation ran/running (forgot exact wording). Dismissed, went to watch Control Panel, no crescent moon lit up. Checked phone, same. Since mirroring, both devices should have been in DnD.

EDIT: was just at a different location with a DnD automation I setup for. Yeah, need to tap the notification and tell it to run. Since I have AW, don't have to mess with the phone, so not too onerous. Really should have a "don't ask" option like the watch workout automations.

Yes, with the Watch it makes it easier, but still a nuisance. So all this chatter about automation, but they're not automatic. Hopefully in the future.

Thanks for the feedback, everyone!

 

[2REPOU]

OK folks. Totally Bizarre. The automations were not working (when sign into wifi go to DND) for weeks then I post about it yesterday only to have it start working today. No recent update. Very spooky

 

[spytech]

OK folks. Totally Bizarre. The automations were not working (when sign into wifi go to DND) for weeks then I post about it yesterday only to have it start working today. No recent update. Very spooky

Interesting. You still get the prompt, no? As in, they don't run automatically

 

[2REPOU]

Interesting. You still get the prompt, no? As in, they don't run automatically

I need to accept the prompt (a pain, not really an automation) but before today, I got nothing. No prompt. No DND etc. So its a little better

 

[spytech]

So its a little better

That I have to agree with. So... The hypothesis of the device having to learn our routine first before the non-automated automations work is still on the table.

 

[NoBoMac]

The hypothesis of the device having to learn our routine first before the non-automated automations work is still on the table.

I'm not betting on this.

Not that I agree with this, but can see the possible design decision Apple did. Using the example of "I'm at ABC location..." automations, can see where Apple makes you acknowledge the automation, as you might be passing ABC location and do not want/should not have things flipping on/off and possibly causing other issues (eg. going into Airplane Mode, turning off cellular) if just a drive by. For example, combination of location and minimum radius size in Automations, might bleed over onto neighboring street (see that with my gym).

Thanks for the memory nudge re: "learn our routine". I've been using "Significant Locations" turned off for quite a while now, as until now, no real need for phone to know my routine. And all privacy promises aside, creepy. Turned Significant Locations on, to see if it will help Automations to be more automatic.

 

[spytech]

as you might be passing ABC location and do not want/should not have things flipping on/off and possibly causing other issues (eg. going into Airplane Mode, turning off cellular) if just a drive by.

This has happened to me, as I was driving past my home, one of the automations notified me. I'd very much prefer these triggering by accident than just notifying me... I had these exact same automations on Android 7 or 8 years ago, no issues.

Don't get me wrong for talking this much about Android. I have all those devices in my sig for a reason. I was just excited for finally missing absolutely 0 features from Android on stock iOS, but this one hasn't been crossed out of the list. Yet...

Thanks for the memory nudge re: "learn our routine". I've been using "Significant Locations" turned off for quite a while now, as until now, no real need for phone to know my routine. And all privacy promises aside, creepy. Turned Significant Locations on, to see if it will help Automations to be more automatic.

I've always had them on as the usefulness of this features has, for me, outweighed the disadvantages, but I do get your point. And that's a good test, looking forward for any results.

 

[spytech]

Update: Suddenly, and out of the blue, all the automations on my first post are triggering correctly. With the prompt, of course, but they're appearing now, at least. I've made no changes and I've not bothered with the issue any further

 

[NoBoMac]

Good to hear. Mine have taken a step backwards.

The ones that should be no-brainers, Watch Workouts initiated, are not triggering. The location based ones are still hit/miss, more hit, but not reliable yet.