Can iOS 12 Shortcuts Control HomeKit Devices?

Yes, iOS 12 Shortcuts can control smart home accessories via HomeKit, primarily through the execution of HomeKit scenes. While iOS 12 does not offer granular, direct control over individual smart accessories within the Shortcuts app itself, users can easily bypass this limitation by configuring scenes in the Apple Home app and triggering them through custom shortcuts. This guide explains how HomeKit integration works in iOS 12, how to set it up, and the limitations of the platform at that version.

How iOS 12 Shortcuts Interacts with HomeKit

In iOS 12, Apple introduced the standalone Shortcuts app (the successor to Workflow). To communicate with HomeKit accessories, the app includes a dedicated action called Run Home Scene.

Instead of toggling individual light bulbs, smart plugs, or thermostats directly within a shortcut's script, iOS 12 relies on pre-configured scenes created inside Apple's Home app. Once a scene is created, the Shortcuts app can call that scene at any point during a routine.

How to Control HomeKit Accessories Using Shortcuts in iOS 12

To control smart devices using Shortcuts on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 12, follow these steps:

  1. Create a Scene in the Home App:

    • Open the Apple Home app.
    • Tap the + icon in the top right corner and select Add Scene.
    • Name your scene (e.g., "Reading Lights" or "Turn Off Fan") and select the specific accessories and states you want to control.
    • Tap Done to save the scene.

  2. Add the Scene to a Shortcut:

    • Open the Shortcuts app.
    • Create a new shortcut or edit an existing one.
    • Tap the search bar at the bottom and search for Home.
    • Select the Run Home Scene action to add it to your workflow.
    • Tap the placeholder in the action to choose the HomeKit scene you created.

  3. Run the Shortcut:

    • You can now run the shortcut manually from the app, add it to the iOS Today View widget, or assign a custom Siri voice phrase to trigger it hands-free.

Third-Party App Integration

In addition to HomeKit scenes, many smart home manufacturers updated their own iOS apps in iOS 12 to support Siri Shortcuts donations. If an accessory does not natively support HomeKit, you can often go into the manufacturer’s native app (such as Philips Hue, TP-Link Kasa, or LIFX), record a Siri Shortcut for a specific action, and then incorporate that specific action block into the iOS 12 Shortcuts app.

Limitations in iOS 12

While functional, HomeKit support in iOS 12 has specific constraints compared to newer versions of iOS:

  • No Direct Accessory Toggles: You cannot adjust specific parameters (such as changing a light's brightness to 50% or adjusting a thermostat temperature) directly within the shortcut editor. All changes must be predefined inside a Home scene.
  • No State Reading: iOS 12 Shortcuts cannot read the current state of an accessory (for example, checking if a door is locked or checking current room temperature) to use as conditional "If/Else" logic.
  • No Native Home Automations: Standalone HomeKit automations that trigger shortcuts automatically without user confirmation were not introduced until iOS 13.