Smart lighting is here to stay, and Philips Hue is without a doubt one of the most popular brands. While we've covered some of the best apps for hue lights above, you're not alone in thinking that controlling your lights with your phone is annoying and unnecessary.
Fortunately, there is a solution at hand in the tone dimmer switch. This little unit is a wireless tone remote, and it even attaches magnetically to the included base. Today I'll show you some of the best ways to make it work for you!
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Once you've purchased a dimmer switch, it's a very simple process to set it up.
Get started in the Hue app by pressing the Settings button key at the top right Scroll down to Accessory settings and press the Add new button at the bottom right. Choose Pitch Fader and then select Option 1 -you are connecting a tone switch that has not been used before. If you have purchased this switch second hand, or are rearranging your Tone settings, you may need to select option 2 .
Finally, pull out the plastic tab on your switch, and then use a paper clip to press the pairing button on the back of the unit. Once the LED starts blinking, your bridge should find and connect your dimmer.
Once set up for the first time, you will be greeted with a “virtual dimmer”. This on-screen representation matches the physical buttons on your dimmer.
You can select each “virtual” button to see the options for that button. By default, these are On , Fade , Fade , and Off .
While it's not possible to change the buttons to gray or disabled, the power button supports five different events. These are known as “presses”. Each time you press the on button it will perform a different action, up to five times.
Choose the power button and scroll down to Where . Tap here to choose which rooms will be affected by this dimmer switch. You can choose a maximum of two rooms, but it is not possible to select individual lights.
Back on the settings page, select the button below the First press section. By default, it will be called as the name of your room. This is where you can change what happens with each button press, although your options are limited to simple shades of white, or last in state.
Each button press can be configured to do something different, but they are all limited in the same way.
The last two buttons at the bottom are Restart and Delete , but you'll likely only use these if you sell your switch or move its location.
Once you've made all your changes, go ahead and hit Save button at the top right.
By now you may be thinking. “this switch is a bit rubbish”, and you are right up to a point. But the real magic begins once you leave the Hue app, and switch to the dark side of third-party apps, tricks, and secrets.
The first, and possibly the best way to play with your Hue switch is to use the iConnectHue app. Available as a paid download for iOS only, this amazing app can control much more than just your dimmer. You can create smart light groupings, smart timers, color animations, and more.
With iConnectHue, you can super charge your dimmer switch! Among many other modifications, you can:
This app is easily worth the cost of purchase, but you're out of luck if you own an Android device. Fortunately, we have a solution for you just below.
While iConnectHue certainly has the best user interface, the all 4 hue app offers the same functionality, just for Android devices.
The 4 Ringtone app costs money via in-app purchases, but it's worth it if you have a ringtone dimmer switch, as this video from YouTuber M.B.M shows:
If you're looking to venture a little further into your dimmer switch setup, then take a look at this Hijack a Hue Remote project by Robin Cole.
In it, Robin describes how he hacks the Hue Dimmer Switch to control more than just Hue lights. You'll need a Hue and Raspberry Pi hub, so maybe our Unofficial Pi Manual Raspberry Pi:The Unofficial Tutorial Raspberry Pi:The Unofficial Tutorial Whether you're a current Pi owner who wants to learn more, or a prospective Pi owner this credit. Card size device, this is not a guide you want to miss. Read More
In this project, the Raspberry Pi reads the Hue switch using the Hue API. We've done something very similar in our tutorial on controlling hue with Arduino How to Control Philips Hue Lights from an Arduino (and Add a Motion Sensor) How to Control Philips Hue Lights from an Arduino (and Add a Sensor Sensor) Today I will show you how to control the tone lights from an Arduino and then add a simple motion sensor. Read more - be sure to take a look!
We have previously covered how to make your own smart home sensors with OpenHAB DIY Smart Home Sensors with Arduino, MySensors and OpenHAB DIY Smart Home Sensors with Arduino, MySensors and OpenHAB Smart Home sensors cost a ridiculous amount of money. Wiring an entire home is the domain of those with silly amounts of disposable income. Let's build our own with MySensors. Read More
This thread on the OpenHab forum is a great starting point for linking your Hue dimmer switch to OpenHab. From there your possibilities are truly endless. You can use your switch to start your computer or open the blinds. With the right hardware, you could even adjust your heating or close a window!
Today we have covered the many ways to use your pitch dimmer switch. From the basic Philips app to iOS and Android apps, and fully custom DIY setups.
Of course, all of these solutions are specific to the Hue ecosystem, but there are plenty of Hue alternatives Philips Hue alternatives that are really worth it Philips Hue alternatives that are really worth it The Philips Hue system is leading the charge when it comes to smart lighting, but there are some worthy alternatives We've picked three that offer the same basic feature set and hackability. Read More You can also view other Wi-Fi light switches Top 5 Wi-Fi light switches to save time and money Top 5 Wi-Fi light switches to save time and money Looking for a lighting solution to save money money on your electric bill? Here are some great Wi-Fi light switches to consider. Read more.
