You can control a Home Assistant smart home without opening the Companion app: use Android device controls for quick actions, a browser dashboard for a full visual interface, a smartwatch or Assist for hands-free and at-a-glance control, or an Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa app after exposing selected Home Assistant devices to that ecosystem. These options offer different levels of control; none is automatically a feature-for-feature replacement for the Companion app.
Which alternative fits the way you want to control your home?
| Option | Best for | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Android device controls | Fast phone actions | Selected controls without opening a full dashboard; requires a supported Android device and Home Assistant Companion app setup. |
| Home Assistant dashboard in a browser | A customizable visual control panel | Works on a computer, phone or tablet browser; views and cards can be tailored to different people or screens. |
| Dedicated Android tablet | A fixed household display | Optional hardware that can open Home Assistant as a dedicated dashboard; it is a way to present the dashboard, not a separate control service. |
| Smartwatch | Convenient quick controls | Selected actions and entities from the wrist; not the complete Home Assistant feature set. |
| Assist voice control | Hands-free requests | Voice interaction through the mobile app or compatible voice hardware; complements a visual interface. |
| Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa | Households already using an ecosystem app | Familiar controls for Home Assistant devices that have been exposed and configured for that platform. |
Use Android controls for quick phone actions
If your main goal is to switch a light, adjust climate, operate a lock or run a scene without navigating a dashboard, Android’s system device controls are the most direct alternative. Home Assistant documents support on Android 11 and newer devices that support the feature. The available controls cover selected domains, including lights, climate, covers, locks, media players, scripts and switches. Availability and lock-screen behavior depend on the Android version and device settings; see Home Assistant’s Android device controls documentation for current details.
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On supported Android 14 devices, you can choose a Home Assistant dashboard to display in place of the built-in controls. This gives you a more visual quick-access surface, though it remains distinct from opening the full Companion app. Home Assistant also lists Android widgets, Quick Settings and shortcuts among Companion app features. Check its current feature overview for platform-specific availability rather than assuming Android and iOS offer identical controls.
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Open a dashboard in a browser for a full visual interface
A browser dashboard is the closest general-purpose alternative when you want to see and control more than a handful of devices. Home Assistant dashboards are available through the app or website, and users can customize views with different cards, themes and community cards. You can open the website on a computer, tablet or phone, then shape the interface for the screen and people using it.
#1 Best Overall
- Echo Hub — An easy-to-use smart home control panel redesigned for your home. Arrange controls on your dashboard to quickly adjust devices, view cameras, start routines, and more.
- Customize your dashboard — Arrange devices into sections and resize them to focus on what matters most. Create a personalized layout that matches how your family uses their connected devices.
- Reimagined for your home - With an Alexa+ and compatible Ring subscription (sold separately), get Ring camera event summaries to stay in the know. Search your Ring footage using simple voice commands. Create routines by voice, activate modes to manage multiple devices at once, and chat with Alexa to easily control your smart home.
- Home security for the whole family — Use Echo Hub to easily arm and disarm your compatible security system, making it easy for everyone in your family to manage home security. Use the Alexa app and compatible cameras, locks, alarms, and sensors to check in while you're out.
- Works with thousands of Alexa compatible devices — WiFi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, Matter, Sidewalk, and Thread devices sync seamlessly with the built-in smart home hub.
Home Assistant’s documentation puts the role of the dashboard plainly: “Your dashboard is what you and your family see when you open the Home Assistant app or website.” The default dashboard is generated from added devices, but views can be adjusted—for example, a kitchen display, a guest view or a more detailed view for the owner. See the Home Assistant dashboards guide.
Make a tablet a dedicated control panel
A separate tablet is optional: the browser dashboard itself is the interface. For a fixed display, Home Assistant documents setting its Android app as the device launcher, a setup intended for wall-mounted tablets, kitchen displays and kiosk use. You can use a dedicated user and dashboard for that screen. The Android launcher setup guide describes the configuration; it does not endorse a particular tablet model.
Rank #2
- MEET ECHO SHOW 15 - A stunning 15.6" Full-HD (1080p) smart display that's perfect for your kitchen and ready to show you more. Use customizable widgets to keep your day on track, watch your favorite shows with Fire TV and powerful vibrant sound, and enjoy natural video calling, with 3.3x zoom and wide field of view.
- FAMILY ORGANIZATION HUB - See your top widgets at a glance, like your family’s calendars and to-do lists, local weather, smart home, and more.
- ALL YOUR FAVORITES, ALL RIGHT HERE - Built-in Fire TV unlocks endless entertainment, so you can enjoy your favorite content from thousands of apps like Prime Video, Netflix, YouTube, Apple TV, and more (subscription may be required). Fire TV remote included. Plus, now you can quickly add a device to play music with Active Media - start playing a song in the kitchen, then add the living room and bedroom on the fly.
- SMART HOME CENTRAL - Control smart devices with your voice or a few taps using the smart home dashboard. Easily turn on all your living room lights at once or check live camera feeds to see what's happening around your home.
- YOUR FAVORITE MEMORIES ON DISPLAY - Brighten your space (and your day) by turning your home screen into a photo slideshow that displays your favorite memories. Auto curate your images and show off your favorite family memories.
Use a smartwatch for controls at a glance
Watches are convenient when you want a quick action without reaching for your phone, but they expose only part of Home Assistant. On Apple Watch, the documented app supports complications and actions, including scripts, scenes and iOS Actions. The current documentation specifies watchOS 9 or later and Apple Watch Series 4 or newer. Wear OS can control selected entities after you set up the account through a paired Android phone. Its app supports only a subset of Home Assistant features, and the operating system may not guarantee tile refresh timing. Check the Apple Watch and Wear OS documentation for details.
Choose Assist for voice and hands-free control
Assist is Home Assistant’s built-in voice assistant. You can use it in the mobile app, with Home Assistant Voice Preview Edition hardware, or on devices built with ESPHome. Home Assistant says Assist can run fully on local hardware; configured language models can provide more conversational responses. This is a different interaction mode from tapping through a visual panel, so it suits spoken requests rather than browsing a complete overview of devices. The Assist documentation explains its control surfaces and setup.
Rank #3
- Powered by SmartThings: Connect, monitor, and automate your home through the SmartThings app. Build a reliable, unified smart home using Samsung's proven ecosystem
- Matter + Zigbee Smart Home Hub: Supports the newest Matter standard plus Zigbee for lighting, sensors, plugs, switches, thermostats, and more - thousands of compatible devices. PLEASE NOTE: Z-Wave not supported
- Easy Setup with Wi-Fi or Ethernet: Get started in minutes using Wi-Fi or a wired Ethernet connection for apartments, houses, and expanding smart home systems - Z-Wave not supported
- Automations That Work for You: Create custom routines for security, lighting, comfort, and energy savings. Many local automations continue working even if your internet goes offline
- Wide Device Compatibility: Connect compatible smart devices from Aeotec and many other brands to build a unified system for lighting, voice control, energy management, and climate settings
Use Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa after connecting devices
If your household already uses an ecosystem app, Home Assistant can work alongside it. Its official FAQ describes exposing Home Assistant devices to Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa so you can use those apps and their voice assistants. This requires the relevant integration and selection or exposure of entities; devices and features are not automatically available across every platform. Home Assistant remains part of the setup. See Home Assistant’s interoperability FAQ.
Apple Home
The HomeKit Bridge integration exposes Home Assistant entities to Apple Home and Siri, including devices that do not natively support HomeKit. Home Assistant’s separate HomeKit Device integration serves the opposite direction: it brings HomeKit devices into Home Assistant. These are distinct roles, so choose the integration based on which system should control or receive the device. Details are in the HomeKit integration documentation.
Rank #4
- New size, more viewing area: The 11“ smart display features a vibrant Full-HD touchscreen with 60% more viewing area versus Echo Show 8 (2025 release), built-in smart home hub, AZ3 Pro chip for powerful performance, and Omnisense technology for highly personalized experiences.
- Content looks and sounds incredible: Watch shows on Prime Video, Netflix, and more on the vibrant Full-HD 11" screen and enjoy room-filling spatial audio, crisper vocals, wider sound stage, and up to 2x bass versus Echo Show 8 (2023 release). With Alexa+, find the name of that song you love and discover new shows based on your preferences.
- Your everyday assistant: The 11" display makes it easy to see recipes and calendars at a glance, find meal inspo, and manage your shopping lists. With Alexa+, find recipes based on foods you love, make reservations, order groceries, and more.
- Simple Smart Home control: Pair and control thousands of devices that work with Alexa without needing a separate smart home hub. Easily view your camera feeds. Manage lights, thermostats, and more using the display or your voice. With Omnisense technology, you can activate routines via temperature, presence, or visual ID detection.
- Crystal-clear video calls: Video calls feel natural on the vibrant 11" screen with a centered, auto-framing camera, 3.3x zoom, and noise reduction technology. Use live view to check in on your family, pets, and more while you're away.
Apple describes Home as a way to control smart-home accessories across Apple devices. A HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV set up as a home hub unlocks more of the Home app’s capabilities; that does not mean a hub is required for every use case. See Apple’s Home app overview.
Google Home and Alexa
Home Assistant’s FAQ also covers using Google Home and Alexa as familiar interfaces for devices exposed from Home Assistant. Because availability depends on platform setup and which entities you share, consult the official interoperability instructions for the specific ecosystem rather than expecting every Home Assistant control to appear there.
What you need to get started
Every option depends on a working Home Assistant installation and the relevant device or integration. The Companion getting-started documentation lists iOS 16.4 or later and Android 6 or later at the time covered by that documentation, and requires a Home Assistant server. Local discovery works when the phone and server are on the same network; connecting from elsewhere requires remote access configuration. Requirements can change, so confirm the current Companion app setup guide before installing.
Quick Recap
- For Android device controls or widgets, check the Android version, device support and Companion feature availability.
- For a browser dashboard, make sure the device can reach your Home Assistant website and configure the dashboard for its screen and users.
- For a dedicated wall or kitchen display, plan for the optional Android tablet and launcher setup.
- For a watch, check the operating-system and device requirements in the relevant Companion documentation.
- For Apple Home, Google Home or Alexa, configure the appropriate integration and expose only the entities you want to control there.
How to choose
- Pick Android controls if you want a small set of frequent actions on your phone.
- Pick a browser dashboard if you want a broad, customizable visual panel.
- Use a tablet when you want that dashboard available in a fixed household location.
- Use a smartwatch for occasional controls at a glance, not as your only interface.
- Use Assist when speaking is more convenient than tapping.
- Connect an ecosystem app if your household already prefers its familiar interface and you are prepared to configure device exposure.
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