How to Install and Configure Home Assistant Companion Apps

The Home Assistant Companion app is more than just a mobile dashboard; it turns your smartphone into a powerful sensor and tracking device for your smart home. Whether you’re using iOS or Android, the setup process is straightforward but offers deep customization.

1. Download the App

First, head to the app store for your respective device and search for “Home Assistant”.

• iOS: Apple App Store
• Android: Google Play Store

2. Initial Connection

When you first open the app, it will attempt to discover your Home Assistant instance on your local network. Ensure your phone is connected to the same Wi-Fi as your Home Assistant server.

If discovery fails, you can manually enter your internal URL, typically http://homeassistant.local:8123 or your server’s IP address.

3. Setting Up Remote Access

To control your home while you’re away, you have two primary options:

• Home Assistant Cloud (Nabu Casa): The simplest “one-click” method. It provides a secure URL and supports the developers for a small monthly fee.
• Manual Port Forwarding / VPN: For advanced users, you can set up a WireGuard VPN or use a reverse proxy like Nginx or Cloudflare Tunnels to expose your instance securely.

Enter your external URL in the app’s settings under Settings > Companion App > [Your Server Name].

4. Enable Sensors and Tracking

The real magic happens when you enable phone sensors. You can report your battery level, Wi-Fi connection state, and GPS location back to Home Assistant.

Go to Settings > Companion App > Manage Sensors to choose which data your phone should share. This allows for powerful automations like:

• “Turn off the lights when I leave the house.”
• “Send a notification if my phone battery is below 10% and the charger is unplugged.”

5. Notifications

The Companion app supports rich notifications, including images, actions, and even text-to-speech. You can set these up using the notify.mobile_app_your_device_name service in your Home Assistant automations.

With the app configured, you now have the full power of your smart home right in your pocket!