In conjunction with the Shortcuts app from Apple, the Eve app lets you suspend the watering schedules stored on your Eve Aqua if the weather is going to take a turn for the worse. All you need to do is to install the built-in shortcut right from within the Eve app.
About shortcuts
The Shortcuts app is preinstalled on every iPhone. A shortcut allows you to get a task done that comprises multiple actions and even various apps. This can be a "Good Morning" shortcut that not only turns on the lights, but also tells you what the weather's going to be like and how long you'll need to get to the office.
How our "Check Watering" shortcut works
The Eve app includes a "Check Watering" shortcut that will check the chance of rain in the weather forecast for your chosen location. It does this by accessing the Weather app that's preinstalled on your iPhone. You then just set the value above which you want watering to be paused. Shortcuts can be run using Siri, the Shortcuts app, the Today View widget or an automation.
If you run the shortcut before noon, the chance of rain is checked for that day and – depending on the value – watering will be paused for that day.
If you run the shortcut after noon, the chance of rain for the next day is checked and – depending on the value – watering will be paused for both days.
In the Eve app, you can also add scenes ("Pause watering today" / "Pause watering today and tomorrow") which you can activate manually with a quick tap or Siri command, without the weather forecast being taken into consideration.
Set up the "Check Watering" shortcut
Open the Eve app and tap Eve Aqua > Schedule followed by the gear icon on the bottom right to go to the settings. Scroll all the way to the bottom, then tap "Schedule Suspension".
Tap "Install Siri Shortcut", then tap Set Up Shortcut. Follow the wizard to set your home's location, the chance of rain threshold above which you want watering to be paused, and your desired HomeKit home (if you have multiple homes to choose from).
If you want to change the precipitation threshold later or make further adjustments to your shortcut, select the Shortcuts view in the Shortcuts app and press and hold the tile for "Check Watering". Then select Edit to show the script editor.
You'll now be able to run the shortcut just by asking "Hey Siri, Check Watering". Alternatively, you can simply tap on the entry in the Shortcuts app. Once the forecast has been checked, your watering schedule will either be paused or, if it looks like the weather's going to be fine, your schedule will run like normal.
Did you know? You can change the name of any shortcut. Just go to "Shortcuts" in the Shortcuts app and perform a long tap on the "Check Watering" shortcut's tile. Then, tap Rename. You can now choose your own name and save it – Siri will then listen out for your chosen trigger.
Set up an automation to run the "Check Watering" shortcut
Take the sheer convenience to the next level by setting up an automation. It will run the check the "Check Watering" shortcut for you – one less thing to think about.
To set this up, go to the Shortcuts app and go to Automation > Tap + to add an automation. Tap Time of Day and then set a time at which you want the shortcut to be run. Tap "Next".
In the following screen tap My Shortcuts and choose "Check Watering".
You can now say goodbye to wasting precious time worrying about watering your garden – Eve and Shortcuts will take care of everything for you.
Top tip: Selecting a time before noon ensures that only the current day's weather forecast is ever checked and that watering is only ever paused on this particular day
If you always water after sunset, it's a good idea to wait until the evening to run the shortcut so that the next day's weather forecast is checked. If rain is forecast, watering will then be paused for both days.
Increase the reach of Eve Aqua
Add HomePod mini to your home and your Thread-enabled Eve Aqua (2nd generation) will be able to communicate via Thread – the mesh network that reaches even the farthest corners of your abode. This happens automatically without you needing to configure anything. Simply position a Full Thread Device, such as Eve Energy, Eve Energy Outdoor or Eve Energy Outlet as close as possible to your Eve Aqua. Eve Energy, Eve Energy Outdoor or Eve Energy Outlet will then act as a router node and relay data packets from Eve Aqua.
Requires iPhone or iPad with the latest version of iOS/iPadOS
Requires iOS/iPadOS 16.4 (or later) / Android™ 8.1 (or later), Matter controller / Thread Border Router
Requires iOS/iPadOS 16.4 (or later) / Android™ 8.1 (or later), Matter controller / Thread Border Router
Requires iPhone, iPad or Android device and a compatible hub.
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