What Is IFTTT?

Sometimes in a review, we say a product or service is IFTTT compatible. If that makes you think, “Okay, but what is IFTTT, anyway?” then this piece is for you.

IFTTT (pronounced Ift, not I-F-T-T-T like some of us inevitably say in our heads) stands for IF This, Then That. Sound familiar? That’s the basic recipe for cause and effect. IFTTT is a (mostly) free tech service that takes this principle and makes it more concrete.

To use IFTTT, you first download the app. Then you create mini programs called applets that create cause-and-effect chains.

If someone else previously created an applet that performs the action you want, you can use that applet instead of making a new one.

If you want to create more than three applets, you have to pay $9.99 a month. You can use other people's applets without paying, though.

For instance, you could potentially create applets that do any of the following:

• Turn off smart sprinklers if your weather app says it's raining
• Unlock the door, turn on the lights, and crank up the smart thermostat when you arrive home
• Play the Spider-Man theme song through your Sonos speaker whenever Tom Holland tweets something new

Almost anything works as the trigger for the IF part of the IFTTT applet. For example, the chain can be set off by any of the following:

• A specific time of day
• A specific time of weather
• An event on a social media platform
• Use of a smart product
• Geofencing when you go to a certain place

IF This, Then That is a mostly free service that helps you set up event chains. It doesn’t work with everything, but it’s incredibly convenient for making your smart home smarter.

We’re sure you still have questions, so here’s some extra info about IFTTT.