Amazon pulls the plug on Alexa IFTTT automation; to be discontinued on October 31

Are you prepared to lose your Amazon Alexa IFTTT (short for “if this, then that”) automation? The Alexa team behind the IFTTT announced today it will discontinue the native integration between Alexa and IFTTT, starting on October 31, 2023.

Once the integration is disconnected, you won’t be able to instruct Alexa to activate IFTTT applets. Some automation will remain accessible within the IFTTT app, but others will be archived starting on November 1st unless you take action.

The integration sunset will break all automation for anyone still using Alexa triggers and features in their applets will break and Alexa users will lose IFTTT support. This means that any automated tasks you’ve set up using IFTTT and Alexa will no longer be operational.

IFTTT is a popular service that empowers users to create simple automated processes between various applications and services. For example, you can set up automation with IFTTT to turn on your lights when you arrive home or receive notifications when a package is delivered.

The native Alexa integration with IFTTT made it convenient to establish and manage these automations. Nonetheless, Amazon has chosen to end this integration to focus on its own in-house automation capabilities.

“Earlier this month, the Amazon Alexa team communicated to IFTTT that on October 31st, 2023 the Alexa service on IFTTT will no longer be available. The Alexa IFTTT service was built and maintained the Amazon Alexa team who have decided they are no longer supporting the IFTTT integration.

Starting November 1st, Applets that use the Say a specific phrase Amazon Alexa trigger will be migrated to instead use the IFTTT Button Widget trigger. The Button Widget will enable you to trigger your Applets directly from your smart phone or smart watch. You can read more about how to manage your button widget Applets on our help center here,” the IFTTT said in a blog post.

As of now, Amazon has not announced a specific substitute for the native Alexa integration with IFTTT. However, there are several third-party services that provide similar functionalities. Some well-known alternatives include Zapier, Yonomi, Stringify, and Do It.

Individuals who have created automation using IFTTT and Alexa will need to transfer their automation to a third-party service before October 31, 2023. Amazon has offered instructions on how to do this on its website.

The discontinuation of the native Alexa integration with IFTTT is a notable change for users who depend on this service for their home automation. Nevertheless, there are multiple third-party options available, enabling users to identify a suitable solution for their needs.

Here are some of the potential implications of the discontinuation of the Alexa IFTTT integration:

• Users may need to allocate more time and effort to manage their smart home automation.
• Some users might lose access to functionalities they rely on.
• Users may be compelled to transition to a different smart home platform.

If you are an Alexa user, it is crucial you stay informed about these upcoming changes and make necessary preparations.