AM Remote

This page has the instructions for setting up remote access to your devices with AutomationManager/AM Server using the AM Remote (included). You can setup remote access using your Google account with AutomationOnDrive or by exposing your AM Server over HTTP..

AutomationServer is the server included with AutomationManager. You can run AutomationServer on a dedicated android device or an a PC, Mac, linux, etc. Setting up your own AutomationServer is inexpensive and easy: Running MPP Servers.

AutomationOnDrive is the easiest way to set up remote access to your devices. Click here to jump to the setup page. Note that for non-android (java) servers you must use HTTP for remote access.

How does the AM Remote app work and how do I set it up?

The AutomationRemote app is a client that uses a secure encrypted protocol to connect to the AutomationServer through the internet. You can use the AutomationRemote app to control your devices when you are away from home. AM Remote comes as part of AutomationManager for android.

Alternatively AM Remote can connect directly to AutomationServer through your router and external IP.

The following mechanisms are provided for remote access:

    1. AutomationOnDrive - this app runs a service connected to your AutomationServer that updates your own Google Drive account with the status of your devices as well as accept commands to change the state of your devices. It will also log all of the state changes to your devices in a Google Drive Sheet for you (for example to track power usage). AutomationOnDrive is only available on android based AutomationServers and is the preferred remote method. It is not supported for the java versions.
    2. HTTP - remote access using the web server built into the AutomationServer to connect securely (using encryption) from remote locations. You will need to configure your router to forward incoming requests to the web server and you will probably want a DDNS service to insulate you from changes your ISP may make to your external IP.
      • This is the most complicated access to configure but has the fastest response time. This is the only way to setup remote access for java AutomationServers.
    3. Google Cloud Message (GCM) - GCM has been withdrawn by Google and while it's still supported in AM it's no longer a viable option.

Note that you can create connections in AutomationRemote to as many sites as you choose to manage (by running a AutomationServer at each site), and you can create multiple connections to a single site for resilience (of course this only makes sense if you use different mechanisms for each).

To use custom images in AutomationRemote:

Custom images can be used in AutomationRemote by loading the image onto the phone/tablet. Use AutomationManager to select an image on that device by using the popup menu for that device.

AutomationRemote and AutomationManager will both use the assigned custom image. AutomationManager will make a smaller local copy of the image so it can be deleted from the phones image gallery after assigning it.

I don't have a spare tablet!

As mentioned above, there are a number of alternatives. Probably the easiest is to pick up a low cost android phone from Walmart or BestBuy (see: Running MPP Servers). AutomationServer will also run on any system that supports java - a PC, RaspberryPi, HTPC, MAC, NAS, etc, see: AutomationServer (java).

How do I remove a AutomationRemote from my AutomationServer if I lose my phone?

You can remove a AutomationRemote client in the AutomationManager app's "Manage Remote Clients" preference if no longer needed or should you lose your phone. Take care to note the ID that was assigned to each AutomationRemote client, or assign a name you'll remember.

Disabling a AutomationOnDrive client requires that you disable or remove your Google Account for the lost phone (see google account management and recovery for details).

How do I setup up automation through AutomationRemote?

When you want to trigger actions from your phone while you are away from your network, you would use the an automation app like Tasker or Automagic with AutomationRemote intents. See HowTo for more details.