Philips Hue has made a significant leap forward in enhancing its smart home capabilities with the introduction of multi-Bridge support. This long-awaited feature addresses the needs of users who have their smart devices spread across several Hue Bridges, allowing them to control all their smart home products concurrently without the hassle of toggling between different Bridges.
With the release of app version 5.31.0, users can now enjoy the convenience of managing multiple Bridges at once. Although this groundbreaking update wasn’t officially listed in the app’s change log, it has been spotted and praised as a welcome improvement for those with extensive smart lighting setups. Previously, managing lights connected to different Bridges required constant switching, which interrupted the seamless operation of a smart home.
The new feature can be accessed by navigating to the Settings menu and selecting Living areas. Users are prompted with a message regarding the consolidation of multiple homes into a single smart home setup. The setup guides users through merging Bridges under one account. Users with Secure cameras on multiple Bridges should be aware that these cameras need temporary removal during the setup process, but they can be re-added afterward.
Nonetheless, there are still a few kinks to work out. Integration with Amazon Alexa hasn’t yet caught up with the multi-Bridge functionality. Additionally, pairing devices from separate Bridges, such as linking a light to a switch on a different Bridge, isn’t currently possible. Philips Hue is likely to address these limitations in forthcoming updates, continuing to refine their systems.
This enhancement boosts the control and flexibility of Philips Hue’s smart home solutions, offering users an even more integrated and intuitive experience as they manage their home environments. Whether you have a sprawling smart home setup or are just starting to expand your smart light collection, Philips Hue is making it easier than ever to keep everything under one virtual roof.
