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Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensors Gain HomeKit Support

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Signify has released new Philips Hue Contact Sensor firmware that adds support for Apple HomeKit, reports Hueblog.com.

hue secure contact sensor
Previously the indoor sensors could only be controlled through the Philips Hue app's Security Center. Now, after updating to the new firmware (1961076030), they appear in the Home app, where users can use the "open" and "closed" status of the sensors to create automations and control other HomeKit devices that are not connected to the Philips Hue Bridge.

Released in September, the Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensor can be applied to doors, windows, cabinets, and more, sending notifications when the contact sensor is opened or closed. Users can remotely activate an alarm that flashes the lights, sounds a siren, and contacts local authorities, plus there are options for customizing camera settings.

As with Philips Hue Secure cameras, the sensors can be linked to lights to activate them when the sensor is triggered, so they can be used for things like turning on the lights in the bathroom when the door is opened.

Philips Hue Secure Contact Sensors are priced at $40 for one or $70 for a two-pack, and various mounts and other add-on hardware can be purchased for $15 to $50. More information is available on the Hue website.

Tag: Philips Hue

Top Rated Comments

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ChromeAce
31 months ago
How we are over a decade into this stuff and there’s still nothing on the market that will simply announce on all my HomePods which door has been opened?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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CarAnalogy
31 months ago

How we are over a decade into this stuff and there’s still nothing on the market that will simply announce on all my HomePods which door has been opened?
A combination of a lack of standards, and of Apple treating HomeKit like a back burner hobby project.

Actual security systems have had that feature for years, and I also think until recently Apple specifically was reluctant to get into any security aspect of it due to potential liability.

Considering their top pitch for the Apple Watch and iPhone is literally that it decreases your chance of dying in a horrible accident, I'd hope they are more comfortable approaching the market now.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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CarAnalogy
31 months ago

Are there any other door sensor like this that are HomeKit compatible? This is exactly what I’m looking for, I need something like this for my mom’s place. The price is fine as long as I don’t need to get the Hue Bridge too… but I probably do, huh…
Honestly of all things the Hue Bridge is the most reasonable part. I know it seems like an extra expense, but if you’re going to get expensive Hue bulbs anyway, the bridge is what makes them better than all the other junk light bulbs on the market.

Without the bridge, just get their cheap Wiz bulbs. But the bridge makes the response nearly instant. Well, when used directly anyway. Siri still acts she has to get up from a comfortable chair and walk across the room to turn the lights on.

Edit: I realize I only talked about bulbs and this is about door sensors specifically, but the point still stands. Anything decent is going to require or at least strongly recommend a hub.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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norcom
31 months ago
These are somewhat pointless without being able to set off a LOUD ALARM on your iDevices. I have the EVE motion and door/window sensors. How do I have HomeKit WAKE ME UP when I'm away and a sensor's triggered? All I get is a tiny bloop sound. I think I tried the alarm sound shortcut through the homepods but it wasn't that great and still doesn't solve the away issue. I don't want to have to start some Music shortcut. I want it to be the alarm siren without 3rd party integrations; already doing that. :)

My custom HomeAssistant integration to the old security system and sensors has Twillio configured to call me and read the details of the alarm. That's about the only way I'll notice things.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Apples Apples Everywhere Avatar
Apples Apples Everywhere
31 months ago
I have the Eve version of this product and the ER14250 battery is only available online for me. This product uses a CR2 battery which I appreciate.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Dakko Avatar
Dakko
30 months ago

Hello. I managed to solve the issue. I contacted Philips and they sent some instructions:

0. Make sure that the Contact Sensors are added to Philips Hue App.

1. Check under Hue app->Settings->Smart home->Siri & Apple Home->Settings if "Unlink from Apple Home" is displayed.

If the option to "Unlink from Apple Home" is shown than delete the Hue bridge using the Apple Home app: Apple Home app->3 dots top right->Home settings->Hubs & bridges->Click on bridge and delete.

2. Power cycle the Hue bridge and wait 1,5 minutes for it to fully start again. Within 10 minutes, use the Apple Home app to add the Hue bridge Tap the big button on the Hue bridge
In the Apple Home app, select the Hue bridge in the “Add accessory” section. It shall be displayed as “Bridge name – xxxxxx” (where xxxxxx are the last digits of the bridgeID).

Follow the instructions on the screen.

Interesting is that I had two options to add the Bridge: Homekit and Matter. After I have added the Bridge again by selecting Homekit option, all the devices including the Contact Sensors have been added to my Home, one by one and I was able to add a room to my Contact Sensors and also to select some types: Window, Door, etc.
By adding the Bridge in this way, even the name of every device (light bulbs) was different then the name that they had when I was linking the Bridge to Honekit fron Philips Hue App (usualy the description used in Philips App) and also Adaptive Lighting was a new option to enable or not.
Thanks! Everything now works.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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