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How to Build a Simple Automation with IFTTT

Follow these steps in order to create your first IFTTT automation.

  1. Create an account and install the app

    Sign up on the IFTTT website or mobile app with an email or Google account, and you can start building and using applets right away. Installing the mobile app also lets you build automations tied to your phone's location or notifications.

  2. Understand the 'if this, then that' structure

    IFTTT builds every automation around a simple logic: an 'If This' trigger condition connected to a 'Then That' action. For example, think of it as pairing a condition and a result, like 'if a new email arrives (If This), log it in a spreadsheet (Then That).'

  3. Create a new applet

    Tap Create, choose the service and trigger condition for the If This step, then choose the service and action for the Then That step, and your applet is complete. The first time you connect each service, you'll need to log into that service's account and grant permission.

  4. Try a weather alert example

    Connecting a weather service as the trigger and a notification app as the action lets you build something like 'if rain is forecast for tomorrow, send me a notification in the evening.' It's a simple way to make sure you don't forget an umbrella before heading out.

  5. Try a social media auto-posting example

    You can also automate repetitive social tasks, such as automatically posting to a social account whenever a new photo is saved to a specific folder.

  6. Manage the applets you've created

    The My Applets menu shows every applet you've built, and you can turn off or delete any you no longer need. If an applet isn't behaving the way you expect, you can fix it by adjusting its conditions.

Automate the small repetitive tasks you never get around to

Checking the weather and sending yourself a reminder, or backing up photos, are small tasks that are easy to keep putting off. Setting one up once as an applet means it's handled automatically from then on without you having to think about it again.

For more complex, multi-step automation

If you need to connect several apps together with conditional branches or multiple steps, it's worth comparing IFTTT against a visual, canvas-style automation tool built for more complex workflows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is IFTTT free to use?

Yes β€” basic applets are free to create, though the number of applets you can connect and how fast they run are more generous on paid plans.

Should I use IFTTT or a workflow automation tool like Zapier or Make?

IFTTT is simple and convenient for personal automations and smart-home device connections, while Zapier or Make tend to be a better fit for more complex, multi-step work automations.