Schedule Philips Hue Lights: Turn On/Off Automatically
Automating Your Philips Hue Lighting with Schedules
The Philips Hue application offers a range of functionalities for controlling your smart lights, notably the ability to program them to activate and deactivate at predetermined times. This guide details the process of configuring this feature, allowing you to eliminate the need for manual light switching.
Understanding the "Routines" Feature
Previously, scheduling Philips Hue lights required a third-party service like IFTTT. However, the introduction of the "Routines" feature within the updated Philips Hue app provides a native solution for automating your lighting. This long-awaited capability simplifies the process of setting schedules.
Initiating a New Routine
Begin by launching the Philips Hue app on your smartphone. Navigate to the "Routines" tab, located at the bottom of the screen.
On the subsequent screen, select the "My routines" option.
Tap the circular plus button situated in the bottom-right corner of the screen to create a new routine.
Rename the default "My routine 1" by tapping on it and entering a descriptive name for your customized schedule.
Defining the Schedule Parameters
Under the "When should it start?" section, specify the desired activation time for your Hue lights.
Below this, you can designate specific days of the week for the routine to run by simply tapping on the desired days to select them.
The "Fade" option allows for a gradual illumination of your lights over a period ranging from five to thirty minutes. Alternatively, you can choose "Instant" for immediate activation.
Selecting Rooms and Lighting Preferences
Tap the "Where?" option to choose the rooms where you want the routine to apply. Note that individual bulbs cannot be selected; only entire rooms are supported.
Check the box next to each room you wish to include, with a maximum of four rooms per routine.
Return to the previous screen to define the lighting state. You can select from preset options like full brightness, dimmed brightness, or "Nightlight" for a very low illumination level.
Furthermore, you can choose from existing default scenes or any custom scenes you have previously created.
Finalizing and Saving the Routine
After selecting your preferred lighting configuration, you will be returned to the main routine creation screen. Tap "Save" in the top-right corner to finalize the routine.
Your newly created routine will now appear in the list of configured routines.
Creating Turn-Off Schedules
To automatically deactivate your lights at a specific time, create a separate routine. This time, when selecting a scene, choose the "off" option.
With the "Routines" feature, scheduling your Philips Hue lights is now a straightforward process, and its inclusion in the app is a welcome addition.
Image credits: Maximusnd/Bigstock, NiroDesign/Bigstock, and Philips.