Harness the Power of the Home Assistant Companion App: Your Smart Home, Anywhere
If you're a Home Assistant user, you know the flexibility and control it brings to your smart home setup. But what about when you're away from home? The Home Assistant Companion App bridges that gap, letting you access and control your devices no matter where you are. It’s more than just remote access—this app can transform how you interact with your smart home daily, adding features like location-based automations, notifications, and more. Let’s dive into what makes this app indispensable and how you can get started.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Overview of the Home Assistant Companion
- Why the Companion App?
- Companion App: Installation & Setup
- Requirements
- Installation Guide
- First Boot Setup
- Adding Additional Servers
- Features and Use Cases
- Maximize Your Companion App Experience
- Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Conclusion
How to Use this Guide
This guide is your starting point for getting the Home Assistant Companion App up and running with a solid setup. Rather than focusing on controlling individual devices, we’ll walk through the essential steps and best practices for configuring the app effectively. From setting up a secure connection to understanding core features, we’ll help you build a reliable foundation that enhances security, optimizes tracking, and keeps notifications organized.
When you first launch the app, it’ll prompt you to connect with your Home Assistant instance, request permissions, and suggest automations. But before jumping in, it’s worth taking a moment to understand how these features work and how they can elevate your Home Assistant experience. Getting the setup right from the beginning will save you from common issues, like missed notifications or unreliable tracking, that can arise with a rushed installation.
After you’re comfortable with the basics, you’ll be ready to dive into advanced features like location-based automations, custom notifications, and widgets. Future posts will cover specific automations and tips to maximize the app’s potential, ensuring your smart home experience is both effective and frustration-free.
More Home Assistant Related Posts
I’ve written several posts on Home Assistant that you might find useful. Check them out under the Home Assistant tag to explore guides, tips, and in-depth articles to help you make the most of your smart home setup!
Overview of the Home Assistant Companion
Why the Companion App?
The Home Assistant Companion App is designed to put control over your smart home in the palm of your hand, making it accessible and responsive to your location. Think of it as a direct line to your Home Assistant, offering everything from basic control over your devices to advanced automation possibilities.
Whether you're a casual user who wants to dim the lights from your couch or an enthusiast eager to trigger routines as you approach home, the Companion App has something for everyone.
Did you know? The app is available for both iOS and Android, with each version tailored to the respective operating system, ensuring smooth performance and consistent updates.
Companion App: Installation & Setup
Getting started with the Home Assistant Companion App is straightforward, though there are a few things to set up first. Before diving in, ensure your Home Assistant instance is running version 0.104.0 or later on your chosen device (e.g., Raspberry Pi, server, or old laptop).
For remote access, setting up a secure URL is required. Many users find Home Assistant Cloud the simplest option; however, if you’d rather go the free route, you can self-host—just be prepared for a bit more setup work; READ Here
Requirements
To use the Home Assistant Companion App, first confirm your device meets the minimum requirements. For iOS, you’ll need version 15 or newer, meaning iPhone 6s or later. Android users have two options: full and minimal. Both versions require Android 5.0+, but only the full version (available on the Play Store) relies on Google Play Services.
| Requirement | iOS | Android |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | iOS 15+ (iPhone 6s+) | Android 5.0+ |
| App Version | Companion App (Full) | Full / Minimal Versions |
| Additional Requirements | Requires iCloud for backup | Requires Google Play Services for full version |
In your configuration.yaml, include default_config: to activate essential features, or add mobile_app: if default_config: is omitted. For advanced capabilities like secure Nabu Casa connections or custom notifications, include cloud: and ios: integrations.
Pro Tip: Update your OS and app versions before installing. Android users, note the “Minimal” app lacks features like location tracking, while iOS users should enable iCloud for seamless backup.
Installation Guide
- Download the App: Search for “Home Assistant” in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android) and install the Home Assistant Companion App.
- Log In: Open the app and log in with your Home Assistant credentials. If you’re using Home Assistant Cloud, remote access will be configured automatically. For self-hosted setups, ensure you've set up a secure external URL before logging in, as this will allow the app to access your Home Assistant instance remotely.
- Grant Permissions: Follow the prompts to enable permissions, such as location services, which enhance automations and notifications. Setting these permissions now ensures seamless integration between your device and Home Assistant.
| Permission | Description |
|---|---|
| Location Services | Enables location-based automations, creating a device_tracker entity in Home Assistant. |
| Motion & Pedometer | iOS-only feature that generates data on steps, floors, and distance traveled. |
| Notifications | Allows notifications, including Critical Notifications (iOS) that play sounds in silent mode. |
First Boot Setup
When launching the Home Assistant Companion App for the first time, setup is straightforward:
- Auto-Discovery: If your mobile device is on the same network as your Home Assistant instance, the app should automatically detect it during initial setup. Simply select your instance and follow the prompts to connect and log in.
- Manual Setup: If you’re off-network or auto-discovery doesn’t work, manually enter your remote access URL. Home Assistant Cloud makes this easier, but it’s optional if you have your own secure external URL configured.
- Review Initial Settings: After connecting, take a moment to explore the app’s settings, especially notification and location options. This quick review can help you customize alerts and set location-based automations right from the start.
Tip: For Android users, double-check notification compatibility, and consider a quick restart of the app post-setup to ensure all settings are fully applied.
Adding Additional Servers
To add more Home Assistant instances, go to Settings in the Companion App, select “Add Server,” and either use auto-discovery or manually enter the server address. For Android users with TLS Client Authentication, install the required certificate as a “VPN & app user certificate.” Wear OS will prompt for a PKCS12 certificate during on-boarding if needed.
Features and Use Cases
The Home Assistant Companion App is loaded with features to make managing your home more intuitive and flexible. Here’s what it brings to the table:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Remote Control | Access all your Home Assistant entities remotely, from lights and locks to thermostats and sensors. |
| Location Tracking | Use your location to trigger automations, like turning on lights as you approach home or getting a reminder to lock the door as you leave. |
| Push Notifications | Receive real-time alerts on key events, such as a leak sensor activation or a security alert. Customize these with images or action buttons for added control. |
| Widgets and Quick Actions | Both iOS and Android versions offer widgets and shortcuts for quick access to frequently used devices, making instant control easy. |
- Geofence Automation: Set up a “coming home” scene that activates when your device enters a geofenced area near your house.
- Interactive Notifications: Receive a notification when your security camera detects motion. Instead of opening the app, you can access a snapshot right from the notification.
- Daily Reminders: Create routines based on your calendar or reminders, such as notifying you to adjust the thermostat as you begin your commute.
Maximize Your Companion App Experience
- Experiment with Zones: Setting up custom zones in Home Assistant allows you to trigger actions based on specific locations beyond just “home.” Set up zones at the office, your local grocery store, or your favorite coffee shop.
- Examples: Activate a “focus mode” when you arrive at work, lowering the thermostat at home and turning off unnecessary devices, or set a reminder to pick up groceries when you enter the store's geofenced zone or leave work's geofenced zone.
- Try Out Sensor Integration: The Companion App can turn your mobile device into a powerful sensor hub for Home Assistant, sending data like battery level, charging status, ambient light, or even steps taken.
- Examples: Dim the lights when your phone’s battery gets low in the evening, adjust the brightness of smart lights based on ambient light detected by your device, or play a reminder on a smart speaker if you’ve gone to bed without charging your phone.
- Use Widgets for Quick Access: Widgets let you access essential Home Assistant actions right from your home screen, so you can control key devices with a single tap.
- Examples: Create a widget to quickly lock the front door, turn off all lights as you leave, or start a custom “movie night” scene without opening the app.
Pro Tip: Use automation blueprints within Home Assistant to streamline your setup. Blueprints are essentially pre-configured automations you can use as templates, helping you save time.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
Like any app, the Companion App can encounter a few hiccups. Here are some common ones and how to solve them:
- Battery Optimization (Android): If location tracking stops working, check if battery optimization settings are limiting the app’s background activities.
- Notifications Not Appearing: Ensure notifications are enabled in the app settings and check your phone's notification permissions.
- Location Issues: If geofence-based automations aren’t triggering as expected, verify that you’ve allowed location access for all times, not just when the app is open.
For Your Reference: Home Assistant Documentation offers additional insights into permissions and app settings.
Conclusion
The Home Assistant Companion App is an incredible tool for anyone invested in managing a smart home, providing powerful features that go beyond simple device control. With remote access, location-based automation, real-time notifications, and more, it brings convenience, security, and customization to your fingertips. Dive in, explore its capabilities, and take your Home Assistant setup to a new level.
If you’re using the app, share your favorite automations or unique use cases in the comments. Let's build a library of tips for the Home Assistant community!
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