Have text message on phone trigger vera

Vera Controllers, Services & Devices Vera Controllers & Cameras
#1

My parents are 80 years old and they have an alarm system that will send out text messages when activated but when I am sleeping, my phone turns off notifications. I would like to trigger my Vera to turn on a light next to my bedstand when I receive a specific text message.

Is this possible?

#2

If you have android, you could use Tasker to do it.

A better approach will be to buy a virtual number (ie from Twilio) and have something that relays the messages from the number to your Vera. I did something similar for other things in the past and it’s not that difficult.

#3

I have an iPhone!

Is their a Game Plan B put there?

#4

You can bypass DND for specified contacts on iPhone.

  • Open the Contacts app on the iPhone
  • Tap on the name of the contact whose text messages you want to receive when in DND mode
  • Tap Edit at the top right of the screen
  • Tap Text Tone
  • Swipe the Emergency Bypass switch (at the top of the screen) to ON
2 Likes
#5

Crille - A HUGE THANK YOU!

#6

But without Vera Mobile app being a legit Tasker plug-in, HOW would one go about reacting to the incoming text message, in order to make Vera respond? Think I’ll watch this thread for more revelations.

#7

You can relay the message to an http call. If my memory is not failing, @elcid is doing something similar for Amazon’s recovery codes.

#8

I use automate, but should be possible with tasker, Automate monitors all incoming text messages and dependng on who is sender and what the message body contains, it then forwards a http request to vera. This is local , if not on local network it can send a cloud message to a local android device which then forwards a local http request. It has been very reliable.

1 Like
#9

I am a rookie here, so I need more help - is automate an app? What is Tasker?

Thank you. Looking forward to learning something interesting here

#10

Both are apps for Android. They can execute actions based on triggers, such as position, messages, battery, call status, etc.

For more info, Google is your friend :grinning:

#11

I’m an “Apple” guy! Ugh

#12

Same here. You can do similar things with shortcuts, even if less invasive in scope.