If you are like me, then you have been wondering how to allow IFTTT applets to only run at a certain time.

For example: turn on lights with a motion sensor, but only when it’s at night. It is possible to do this and I will show you how.

First, head over to the IFTTT Platform at this link: https://platform.ifttt.com/maker/get_started. Here you can create applets with extra functionality.

In this article, I will show you how to turn on a light bulb with a Wyze Sense motion sensor, but only between 8 pm and 5 am. Of course, you can change out the devices and times for whatever you are looking to do.

To get started, click on the New Applet button.

Type in the service you want to use. In my case, I’m going to use Wyze and then I will select the Motion Sensor detects motion.

Next, it will show you a section for selecting the device. You won’t be able to select the device until you activate this applet so just move on to the next part.

Click on Add action which you will search for the service just like the trigger part. For my example, I am going to use the Smart Life service to turn on an inexpensive bulb. The next dropdown I changed it to Turn on since I’m turning on the light when it detects motion.

After adding the action, you can now turn on the filter button. Click on Add filter code to open up the area where you will be able to add the code. This will make the applet only run between 8 pm and 5 am.

Paste in the code below and I will let you know what to modify.

var currentHour = Meta.currentUserTime.hour()

if (currentHour >= 20 || currentHour < 5 ) {

// Run the applet

} else {

// Skip the action

Smartlife.turnOn.skip()

}

There are only a few things you would need to change. First is the last line Smartlife.turnOn.skip() and you can find out what to replace it with on the right side under Actions.

Whatever service you are using will have a different name under Actions for you to copy and paste.

The other thing you may want to adjust is the time when you don’t want the applet to run. This is based on the 24-hour clock. 20 is 8 pm and 5 is 5 am, so if you wanted to have it run between 6 pm and 7 am you would change it to “if (currentHour >= 18 || currentHour < 7 ) {”

After you have adjusted the code, you will need to add the Applet title and description. Then click Save down at the bottom.

Once you have clicked Save you will see a link Enable it on IFTTT and click on that.

Change the slider to On. This will show the familiar screen of adding the devices to the Applet. Choose the devices and click Save.

Now it’s all set up! Enjoy your new automation that only runs at the time you want it to.