In Hue Essentials you can configure your smart devices to do whatever you want. This can be done by creating automations for your smart devices like smart switches, motion sensors, and lights.
For more information about automation see: Automation in Hue Essentials
Smart switches
On the automations screen, first select the button you want to create an automation for. After that use the + button to create an automation for that button.
Using the Wizard for quick and easy setup is recommended for most users. The documentation below is for advanced configurations.
Button event types
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Press | When a button is pressed. |
| Hold | When a button is held for about a second. On some switches like the Hue Dimmer Switch the actions are repeated if you keep holding the button. The Hold actions are executed in addition to the Press actions. If that is not what you want, remove your actions from Press and add them to Release (Press). |
| Release (Press) | When you release a button after a (short) press. Note that the Press event is always sent before the Release (Press) event. |
| Release (Hold) | When you release a button after holding it. Note that both the Press and Hold events are always sent before a Release (Hold) event. However, the Release (Press) event is not sent when holding the button. |
Some switches may have additional button event types not described here.
Multiple presses
Use this to execute different actions when the button is pressed multiple times. For example, you could use this to cycle through scenes when pressing the button multiple times.
Use the option Always if you just want the automation to run with every press.
You can use the Return to first press action to reset the counter from another button.
Special automation actions for switches
These may not be available for all types of devices.
Return to first press
This action will return the state of multiple presses to the first press. First set up multiple presses on a switch button. After that you can use this action.
For example, you could use Multiple presses on one button to cycle through your scenes. And on another button you could switch off your lights and use this Return to first press action. That is helpful in case you switch off the lights and press the cycle scenes button immediately after. With this action the cycling through scenes will always start at the first scene.
See for more information: Hue Dimmer Switch: Reset counter for multiple key presses
Group
A special action to increase/decrease the brightness of a group when rotating your switch (like the Hue Tap Dial Switch or Lutron Aurora)
Motion sensors
Using the Wizard for quick and easy setup is recommended for most users. The documentation below is for advanced configurations.
In the device state event, select whether you want it to execute when motion is detected or when motion is no longer detected.
Special options for “Motion”
It is recommended to leave all of these advanced options at the default value unless you know what you are doing.
Wait x seconds
Set a delay for this automation when motion is detected.
Link with other automation
Select whether this automation should work together with other motion sensor automations.
Only in darkness
Use this action if you only want the automation to start when it is dark. Please adjust daylight sensitivity of your sensor if needed.
Special options for “No motion”
It is recommended to leave all of these advanced options at the default value unless you know what you are doing.
Link with other automation
Select whether this automation should work together with other motion sensor automations.
Cancel actions on motion
When this option is enabled, a motion event will interrupt the automation and stop it. For example let’s say you have some wait actions. If in the time that the wait action is waiting, and motion is detected, the automation is stopped.
The Return to previous state option can be used in addition, to also restore light state when motion cancels this automation.
Cancel actions when lights are switched off manually
When enabled, the automation is canceled when the lights are switched off. This could be useful if you always want the motion sensor to reactivate when switching off the lights manually (from the app)
Special automation actions for motion sensors
These may not be available for all types of devices.
Return to previous state
Action to return the light state to the state before motion was detected.
Lights & plugs
Automations can be started when a light or plug is switched on or off.
In the device state event, select whether you want it to execute when a light or plug turns on or turns off.
On deCONZ (Phoscon gateway), plugs that support electricity monitoring can also be used in automations (see Other sensors below).
Other sensors
You can also create automations that start based on the light level of your (motion) sensor, or the temperature of your (motion) sensor.
For these type of automations you can select whether the value should become less than, equal to, greater than, or between a specified value, for the automation to start.
deCONZ
On deCONZ (Phoscon gateway) all of the following sensor types are supported in automation events and conditions:
- Motion sensors (true/false)
- Open/close sensors (true/false)
- Vibration sensors (true/false)
- Water leak sensors (true/false)
- Fire sensors (true/false)
- Carbon monoxide (CO) sensors (true/false)
- Light level sensors (custom value)
- Air quality sensors (custom value)
- Air purifier sensors (custom value)
- Thermostat sensors (room temperature only - custom value)
- Plug consumption in Wh (custom value)
- Plug power in W (custom value)
- Plug voltage in V (custom value)
- Plug current in mA (custom value)
If you would like to see any additional devices or values to be supported in automations, please let us know.