Starting from firmware 2.2.1, OpenSprinkler supports email notifications, offering a free alternative to IFTTT Webhooks (which now require a paid subscription). Requirements:

• Minimum Firmware Version: 2.2.1
• Minimum App/UI Version: 2.4.1

Note: This guide also applies to OpenGarage firmware 1.2.3 and later, which supports email notifications.

How Email Notifications Work and Best Practices

OpenSprinkler sends email notifications using a user-selected SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) server, such as Gmail or Zoho.

• When a notification event occurs, the firmware establishes an SSL connection (e.g., via port 465) to the SMTP server.
• The notification message is then sent automatically via email.
• Gmail and Zoho SMTP servers have been verified to work with OpenSprinkler. Other SMTP services may not work if they require newer TLS encryption instead of SSL.

To enable email notifications, provide the following SMTP settings:

• The Sender Email + App Password act as login credentials for the SMTP server.
• The Recipient Email can be any email address, and does NOT have to be Gmail or Zoho.

Most SMTP services limit the number of emails that can be sent per day. As of this writing:

• Gmail:  500 emails/day
• Zoho:   50 emails/day

Exceeding this limit may result in a temporary suspension of the sender email account. So we recommend:

• Create a dedicated sender email & app password just for notifications.
• Use a different recipient email to receive alerts.

By following these steps, you ensure reliable email notifications without affecting your primary email accounts. 

Step 1: Create a Sender Email Account and App Password

Option 1: Using Gmail SMTP (Recommended for higher daily limits)

• Navigate to this page to create a new personal Gmail account. Even if you may already have an existing Gmail, it's recommended to create a new one dedicated for sending notifications.
• After creating this account, navigate to myaccount.google.com. Once there, select the Security tab and scroll down to 2-Step Verification. Google will not let you create an app password without this enabled. See screenshot below.
  
  

• Follow the steps to activate 2-Step verification, then go back to myaccount.google.com and enter app passwords into the search bar at the top, then select  App passwords in the search result.
  
  

• On the app password screen, enter an App name (e.g. opensprinkler) and press Create.

• A popup window will show a 16 character password in the format "xxxx xxxx xxxx xxxx". Please save this app password securely, as it's required by the Email configuration and this is the only time it's visible to you. Once the popup window is closed, you will not see the app password again. However, you can always create a new app password if you've lost the old one.

Option 2: Using Zoho SMTP (Alternative to Gmail)

• If you prefer a non-Gmail account, the Zoho mail is a good alternative. To do so, navigate to this site to create a new Zoho Mail personal account. Make sure to select "Personal Email" (NOT the default "Business Email").

• Once you have created your account and logged in, navigate to accounts.zoho.com. Then select the Security tab and scroll to the section labeled "Application-Specific Passwords" and click the button "Generate New Password".
  
  

• A window will pop up to create a new app password. Here you can enter the app name (it can be anything such as opensprinkler) and click Generate. Please save this app password securely, as it's required by the Email configuration and this is the only time it's visible to you. Once the popup window is closed, you will not see the app password again. However, you can ccreate a new app password if you've lost the old one.
  
  (In some cases you may get a popup asking you to verify your password, if so follow that popup and enter your password when prompted. You will then be returned to the pop up and you can click Generate again).

Step 2: Configure Email Settings

On your OpenSprinkler's homepage, go to Edit Options --> Integrations tab. At the Email Notifications, click "Tap to Configure". Enter the required parameters (see below), and click Submit.

Step 3: Choose Notification Events and Set Device Name

The final step is to choose which events will trigger email notifications and configure a custom Device Name for easy identification. Go to Edit Options -> Integrations tab, click Notification Events, you will see a list of choices:

• Program Start – Triggered when a program starts.
• Sensor 1 Update – Triggered when Sensor 1 is enabled and its status changes.
• Sensor 2 Update – Similar to Sensor 1 Update, but for Sensor 2.
• Rain Delay Update – Triggered when the rain delay status changes.
• Flow Sensor Update – Triggered when the flow sensor is enabled and upon the completion of a program.
• Weather Update – Triggered when there is a weather update (e.g., a change in water level) or when the external IP address changes.
• Controller Reboot – Triggered when the controller restarts.
• Station Finish – Triggered when a station (zone) completes its run. ⚠ Note: This may generate a high number of notifications, so enable it only if necessary.
• Station Start – Triggered when a zone begins running. ⚠ Note: This may generate a high number of notifications, so enable it only if necessary.
• Flow Alert – Triggered when a zone finishes running and the flow rate exceeds the set threshold.

WARNING: If your controller runs many zones daily, consider disabling certain events (e.g. Station Start) to prevent excessive email notifications and avoid exceeding your email provider’s daily sending limit. Since sending each notification takes time, too many notification events can cause delays, missed responses, and skipped short watering cycles. 

Below Notification Events, you can enter a custom Device Name. This Device Name is included in all Email messages, making it easier to identify which controller sent the message — especially useful if you manage multiple OpenSprinkler devices.

Important Notes

• Notification Events apply to all of MQTT, Email, and IFTTT notifications. If you make changes to the Notification Events selection, keep in mind the changes apply to all three methods.
  
• Multiple OpenSprinkler devices can share the same Email settings, as long as the total number of emails sent remains within the daily limit.
  
• If needed, create separate Sender Email accounts for each OpenSprinkler device while keeping the same Recipient Email for all.