What is IFTTT and how does it work?

February 10, 2019

What is IFTTT and how does it work?

The internet is a wonderful thing chock-full of fun and useful experiences, but it can also complicate our lives.

With so many websites and apps in the world, you’ve probably experienced difficulty in managing them or even completing basic tasks. Luckily for you, there’s a single web tool available that acts as an ultimate automation service for all your internet-connected things.

It’s called IFTTT, and it’s super easy to use. Here’s how.

What is IFTTT?

IFTTT is both a website and a mobile app. The free service launched in 2010 with the following slogan: “Put the Internet to work for you”. It’s changed a lot in recent years, however. Currently, with IFTTT, you can connect all your “services” together so that tasks are automatically completed. There are numerous ways you can connect all your services – and the resulting combinations are called “Applets”.

Applets essentially automate your daily workflow, whether it’s managing smart home devices or apps and websites. So, for instance, if you own the Philips Hue smart lighting system, you could use IFTTT to automatically turn on a light every time you’re tagged in a Facebook photo. In another example, you could use IFTTT to automatically email readers when they comment on your WordPress blog.