We use our mobile every day for endless tasks, both manually and with automation. Besides, the interoperability between devices It is more present than ever, since a smartphone is linked to home automation devices such as temperature sensors, speakers or smart locks, among others.
However, there are times when our home may suffer a power outage, throwing all the connections overboard. It becomes more complicated if we are not at that time inside our house. Fortunately, there is a method to receive mobile notifications when that happens. And for this we will use an automation application.
MacroDroid is our ally to detect power outages
Although Tasker or DoForMe are postulated as excellent choices to automate processes on mobile, Macrodroid is the protagonist of this tutorial, due to its simplicity and efficiency.
This is another automated application, that is, it allows plan actions which are triggered when a circumstance occurs. For example, we can activate all wireless connections when we return home or send a WhatsApp at certain times.
In this case, it is very convenient to configure for receive power outage alerts. You may be wondering how the mobile manages to detect a power cut? Well, very easy. In addition to the aforementioned application, an old mobile is required, one of those that collects dust in the drawer. Although any Android tablet or device will do.
The trick is to keep this device permanently plugged into a power outlet, so you have to reserve a charger for it. If a power failure occurs, the equipment will stop charging, and then it will be when it automatically performs the desired action. Now let’s move on to the configuration, which will not take us more than five minutes.
How to Configure Macrodroid to Receive Alerts
The first and most obvious thing to do is to download Macrodroid on the device that we are going to use. At the end of the article we place the link to download it directly from the Google Play Store. Once installed, you agree to receive notifications and the corresponding permissions, then we will go through a short tutorial.
Right after, we will be free to configure it, which will be as easy as follow a series of steps
- We touch first Add macro. This refers to an automation, upon entering we will see three sections: Actions, Triggers and Restrictions.
- We need to define the trigger, which will trigger the response. In our case we have to go to the section Battery/Powerthat you will see when you touch the symbol +.
- Then press Charger connected/disconnected, because in this way the device will detect the fall of the light. Ideally, continue with charger disconnectedbut if we want another alert for the return of the supply, we will create another macro with Charger connected. We accept and it will take us back to the previous screen.
- Now we have to indicate the action to perform by touching the + in the section Shares. The action that interests us is in the section Mail service, when it unfolds you will see Send a text message It will ask us for permission to access the messages, we have to accept it.
- On the next screen we will enter the phone number that will receive the SMS and then the specific message. We can use a “Power outage detected” or “There is no light at home”, depending on each.
- Ready! We will return leaving the macro we have configured recorded.
Now this device will text us every time the house light goes out, even if we may choose other means of notification, like a simple WhatsApp. Of course, we must have the account properly configured. In the same way we can configure the alert as a call or any other element to know.
This is one more case in which the mobile shines with its own light. They are becoming more complete and the applications more complex, which opens up a thousand possibilities. You know, if you need be aware of your home’s power supplyyou won’t have to pay a penny to do it.
MacroDroid – Automation
MacroDroid is a powerful usability-focused configuration and task automation application with a simple user interface and logical step-by-step processes.
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