Automations are what truly make a smart home intelligent. They allow actions to be performed automatically without the need to pull out your iPhone, activate Siri or press a button. While Apple’s native Home app offers limited automation options, third-party apps provide far more flexibility. However, with the release of iOS 18, Apple introduced a bug that currently makes it impossible to create location-based automations via third-party apps.

The Issue: Location Triggers Disappearing in Third-Party Apps

If you create a new automation through a third-party app, such as Controller for HomeKit, Eve, or Home+, and select a location as the trigger, the event will disappear a few seconds after being set.

It is important to distinguish between presence-based and location-based triggers. Only automations with location-based triggers are affected. If you choose a presence-based trigger, like “Someone arrives home,” there are no issues.

Solution: Use and Adjust Automations in the Apple Home App

To continue using location-based automations in third-party apps, you should first create the automation in the Apple Home app. Once created, you can adjust it in your preferred third-party app, such as Controller for HomeKit.

However, avoid modifying the trigger itself. You can adjust conditions and scenes, but if you edit the existing trigger or add new triggers via a third-party app, the bug will reoccur. Always keep your devices up to date to benefit from any future bug fixes.

Conclusion

Until Apple resolves this issue, you should use the Apple Home app to set up location-based automations. Afterward, you can fine-tune them in third-party apps, as long as you don’t modify the trigger. This way, your automations will continue to function as expected.