Setting up the Philips Hue Plugin

    Setting up the Philips Hue Plugin

    The Philips Hue plugin connects your Hue lights, rooms, zones, motion sensors and temperature sensors to AutomationBridge. You can control supported devices and use them in scenes and automations.

    The plugin supports Fibaro HCL/HC2, Fibaro HC3L/HC3 and AutomationBridge Standalone.

    All new connections use HTTPS automatically. Existing hubs configured with HTTP retain their current connection until you choose to migrate them.

    Before starting, make sure:

    • Your AutomationBridge is running a software version that includes the updated Hue plugin.

    • The Philips Hue plugin is purchased or included in your licence.

    • Your Hue hub is connected to your local network and accessible from AutomationBridge.

    • The hub is running current firmware and your devices work in the Philips Hue app.

    • The hub has a fixed IP address. A DHCP reservation in your router can keep its address unchanged.

    New connections require a Hue hub that supports HTTPS.

    To add a new Hue hub, complete these steps:

    1. Open the Plugins page in AutomationBridge and select Add under Philips Hue. If you already have a hub configured, open the Hue plugin settings and select Add at the top of the page.

    2. Select your hub from the list. Check its ID and IP address to ensure you have selected the correct hub. If no hubs are discovered, enter the hub’s IP address in the field provided.

    3. Press the physical link button on your Hue hub, then select Next in AutomationBridge.

    4. Wait while AutomationBridge verifies the secure connection and links with the hub. HTTPS is selected automatically; there is no HTTP option for new connections.

    5. When the success message confirms that the hub is connected using HTTPS, select Continue.

    6. AutomationBridge retrieves the supported lights, rooms, zones and sensors and creates the corresponding devices for your platform. Review the results, then select OK.

    7. On the Hue settings page, confirm that the hub shows Connection: HTTPS. Test a light and check that its status updates correctly.

    To migrate an existing HTTP hub to HTTPS, use the upgrade option on its existing hub entry. You do not need to remove and add the hub again.

    Migration retains your existing device IDs, mappings and automation links.

    1. Open the Philips Hue plugin Settings page.

    2. Find the hub showing Connection: HTTP.

    3. Within that hub’s panel, select Upgrade to HTTPS.

    4. On the connection page, select Test and upgrade to HTTPS. Keep the page open while AutomationBridge checks the hub’s identity, existing pairing, mapped devices and live updates.

    5. When the upgrade succeeds, select Open Hue settings and confirm that the hub now shows Connection: HTTPS.

    The migration reuses the existing pairing, so no link-button press or reboot is required. It does not recreate your devices or require a Sync solely to change the connection.

    If validation fails, the previous connection settings are retained. Follow the displayed message, resolve the issue and retry.

    Migration is optional while your hub continues to support HTTP. If its firmware requires HTTPS, use the upgrade option to change the existing connection. Each hub can be upgraded separately.

    After setup, devices appear according to your platform:

    Platform How Hue devices appear
    Fibaro HCL/HC2 Virtual Devices, with sensor values available for use in scenes.
    Fibaro HC3L/HC3 QuickApps using the appropriate device types, including dimmers, RGBW controllers and sensors.
    AutomationBridge Standalone Devices available directly within AutomationBridge.

    Available controls depend on the capabilities of each light. Supported Hue motion sensors provide both motion and temperature devices.

    Status changes made through the Hue app or other controls are reflected through the plugin’s live updates.

    To add or rename devices later, make the changes in the Philips Hue app first. Then open the Hue plugin settings and select Sync beside the relevant hub.

    Device names are taken from Hue, so rename lights, rooms and zones in the Hue app before running Sync.

    To connect another hub, select Add at the top of the Hue settings page and repeat the new-connection steps. Each hub has its own connection status, device list and Sync button.

    To check an existing HTTPS connection, select Check connection within the hub’s panel, then select Test HTTPS and restart live updates. This checks the connection and restarts live updates for that hub while retaining its existing devices and automation links.

    If you encounter a problem, use the following checks:

    Problem What to check
    The hub is not discovered Confirm that the hub is powered on and reachable from AutomationBridge. If the manual address field is shown, enter its fixed IP address.
    Pairing fails Press the hub’s link button again before selecting Next. Check the IP address and confirm that the hub’s firmware supports HTTPS.
    The hub is already connected Open its existing entry in Hue settings. Use Upgrade to HTTPS if it still shows HTTP.
    HTTPS validation fails Check the displayed error, the hub’s IP address and its firmware. Confirm that you are connecting to the same hub already configured in the plugin.
    HTTPS is saved, but live updates could not restart Open Check connection and select Test HTTPS and restart live updates.
    Devices are missing or have outdated names Confirm that they appear correctly in the Hue app, then run Sync for that hub.
    Controls work, but status updates are delayed or missing Use Check connection to test HTTPS and restart live updates. If the issue continues, contact Skaro support with the displayed error or relevant log entries.
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