Philips Hue App Update: Four New Features and Improvements

Key Takeaways

1. The Philips Hue app version 5.53 enhances access to MotionAware areas for Hue Bridge Pro users.
2. Users can create new MotionAware areas easily via the Settings tab and a three-dot menu.
3. Reconnection guidelines for switches and sensors are now available in the device settings.
4. The Room View feature has been upgraded to display switches, sensors, cameras, and MotionAware areas.
5. A privacy zone option is now available for Hue Secure Video Doorbell users with a Plus plan.

The Philips Hue app has just released version 5.53 for those who use the brand’s smart home gadgets. This new update for both iOS and Android follows closely on the heels of version 5.52, which introduced the feature to export scenes to Apple Home using Matter, and also added support for the new Hue Secure Wired video doorbell, currently priced at $169.99 on Amazon.

Enhancements for Hue Bridge Pro Users

With the arrival of the Philips Hue app version 5.53, there’s a notable enhancement for users with the Hue Bridge Pro. This update simplifies the process of accessing your MotionAware areas. Just to recap, MotionAware allows clusters of smart lights to function as motion detectors. Now, you can easily find your MotionAware areas in the Settings tab, and create new areas by using the three-dot menu found in a specific room or zone. Also, there’s an improvement for those with switches or sensors; if you can’t reach these accessories, reconnection guidelines are available from the device’s settings screen.

Additional Features Noted by Users

Moreover, two additional updates, which are not detailed in the official release notes, have been noticed by Hueblog.com. The first improvement is the already mentioned Room View upgrade, which enables users to see switches, sensors, cameras, and MotionAware areas in each room. These features are now included alongside the existing lists of lights and scenes in Room View. The second new feature is the privacy zone option for users of the Hue Secure Video Doorbell who have a Plus plan, allowing you to obscure a portion of the image.

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