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10 Tech How-To

Update Home Assistant App & Find New Features

Guide 10-27541 · Updated · Step by step

Keeping the Home Assistant companion app up to date ensures you get the latest bug fixes, performance improvements, and new controls for your smart home. This guide walks you through updating the app on Android and iOS, then shows you where to look for newly added features once the update is installed.

What You’ll Need

  • A phone or tablet with the Home Assistant companion app installed (Android or iOS).
  • An internet connection on the device.
  • For iOS: your Apple ID password or Face ID/Touch ID to confirm the update.
  • For Android: permission to install updates from the Google Play Store (or from the F-Droid store if you installed it that way).

Step-by-Step

Update on Android (Google Play)

  1. Open the Google Play Store app on your device.
  2. Tap your profile icon in the top right corner, then select Manage apps & device.
  3. Look for the Updates available section. If Home Assistant is listed, tap Update next to it. If you don’t see it, the app is already up to date.
  4. If you prefer, you can also search for “Home Assistant” in the Play Store, open its page, and tap the Update button if it appears.
  5. Wait for the download to finish. Once done, the app will automatically update and you can open it.

Update on Android (F-Droid)

  1. Open the F-Droid app.
  2. Tap the Updates tab at the bottom.
  3. Find Home Assistant in the list and tap Update next to it.
  4. F-Droid will download the new APK and ask for confirmation. Tap Install, then Done.

Update on iOS (App Store)

  1. Open the App Store app on your iPhone or iPad.
  2. Tap your profile picture in the top right corner.
  3. Scroll to see pending updates. If Home Assistant is listed, tap Update next to it. If you don’t see it, the app is current.
  4. You can also go to the Search tab, type “Home Assistant”, open the app page, and tap Update if available.
  5. Authenticate with Face ID, Touch ID, or your Apple ID password when prompted.
  6. Wait for the update to install, then open the app.

Check Which Features Are Available

  1. Open the Home Assistant app after updating.
  2. Go to Settings (the gear icon) in the bottom navigation bar.
  3. Scroll down to About. Here you’ll see the app version number. Note it down.
  4. Visit the official Home Assistant release notes page in your browser (look for “Home Assistant Companion App Release Notes” – the exact URL may change, but a quick search will find it). This page lists all new features, improvements, and bug fixes for each version.
  5. To see new features in action, explore the app’s main areas: the dashboard, the Settings menu, and the Notifications section. New buttons, toggles, or menu items often appear there.
  6. If you’re looking for a specific feature (e.g., a new widget or a new action), check the release notes first to confirm it’s included, then look for it in the relevant section of the app.

Common Mistakes

  • Forgetting to update the server side: The companion app works with your Home Assistant server. Some new app features require a minimum server version. If the app updates but your server is old, the feature may not appear. Update your Home Assistant server as well.
  • Assuming the Play Store always shows the latest version: Sometimes the Play Store lags behind the official release by a few days. If you see a newer version on the release notes but not in the store, wait a bit or check F-Droid (if you use it).
  • Not checking for updates after a server update: After you update your Home Assistant server, the app may prompt you to update as well. Ignoring that prompt can cause compatibility warnings.
  • Confusing the app version with the server version: The app version is shown in the app’s About section, while the server version is in the Supervisor or Settings > About on the web interface. They are different.

Tips

  • Enable automatic updates: On Android, go to the Play Store app page for Home Assistant, tap the three-dot menu, and enable Auto-update. On iOS, go to Settings > App Store and turn on App Updates (this applies to all apps).
  • Read the release notes before updating: Sometimes a new version changes how a feature works. Skimming the notes helps you know what to expect.
  • Check the app’s notification channels: New notification actions or quick replies are often added. After updating, review your notification settings in the app to see if new options appeared.
  • Use the official community forum: Users often post about new features and how to use them. A quick search can reveal hidden gems.

Troubleshooting

Update fails to download or install

  • Check your internet connection. A weak Wi-Fi signal can interrupt the download.
  • Free up storage space. The app update may need extra room.
  • Restart your device and try again.
  • If on Android, clear the cache of the Play Store or F-Droid app (Settings > Apps > Play Store > Storage > Clear Cache).
  • If on iOS, go to Settings > General > iPhone Storage > Home Assistant and try to offload the app, then reinstall it (this keeps your data).

App opens but looks the same – no new features

  • Make sure you actually updated the app. Check the version in Settings > About and compare with the latest release number.
  • Update your Home Assistant server. Many new features require a recent server version.
  • Restart the app completely (swipe it away from the app switcher and reopen).
  • If a feature is still missing, it may be a beta feature or not yet available on your platform (Android vs iOS). Check the release notes for platform-specific notes.

App crashes after update

  • Force-stop the app and reopen it.
  • Restart your phone.
  • If the problem persists, clear the app’s cache (on Android: Settings > Apps > Home Assistant > Storage > Clear Cache; on iOS: offload and reinstall).
  • If it still crashes, you may need to wait for a hotfix or report the issue to the developers via the official channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if I have the latest version of the Home Assistant app?

Open the app, go to Settings > About, and note the version number. Compare it with the latest version listed on the official release notes page. If they match, you’re up to date.

Can I update the Home Assistant app on Android without Google Play?

Yes, if you installed it from F-Droid, you can update from there. You can also download the APK from the official GitHub releases page, but you’ll need to allow installation from unknown sources.

Why doesn’t the app update automatically?

Automatic updates may be disabled in your device settings. On Android, check the Play Store settings for auto-update. On iOS, go to Settings > App Store and toggle on App Updates. Also, the app might have a pending update that requires manual confirmation.

Do I need to update the Home Assistant server as well?

Not always, but it’s recommended. Some new app features require a minimum server version. The app will usually warn you if your server is too old. Keeping both up to date ensures the best compatibility.

Where can I see the changelog for the app?

The official release notes are available on the Home Assistant website under the Companion App section. You can also find them in the app’s GitHub repository under the releases page.

What if a new feature doesn’t work after updating?

First, restart the app. Then check the release notes to see if the feature requires a specific server version or a particular device capability (e.g., a certain Android version). If it still doesn’t work, search the Home Assistant community forum – others may have found a workaround.

Related

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

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