If the Home Assistant Companion app will not update—or a feature stops working after an update—check both the phone’s operating system and your Home Assistant server, then verify the app’s release notes, permissions, and network access. Android users should also check which app flavor is installed and whether battery or data restrictions are blocking background activity. To isolate an app problem from a Home Assistant frontend issue, try the same task in Safari or Chrome.
Is your phone and Home Assistant server compatible?
The Home Assistant Companion app has two compatibility requirements: one for the mobile operating system and another for the Home Assistant server. The official getting-started guide lists iOS 16.4 or later, Android 6 or later, and Home Assistant 0.104.0 or later as general minimums. It also lists iPhone 8 or later, iPad 5th generation or later, and Apple Watch Series 4 or later.
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These are general getting-started baselines, not guarantees that every feature works on every device meeting them. A particular feature may have newer requirements. Check its documentation and the current release notes for your platform before treating a missing feature as an app fault.
How do you update the app—and which Android version do you have?
Check the release notes for the platform and distribution channel you use. Home Assistant publishes rolling release notes for Android and iOS. Store and device rollouts can differ; the official release pages do not establish a single update date that applies to every user.
#1 Best Overall
- Home Assistant provides a professional and reliable platform for home automation, designed to run continuously 24/7.
- Powered by a 64-bit Quad-Core Cortex-A53 processor, delivering smooth and efficient performance for smart home automations.
- Includes 4GB SDRAM for reliable multitasking and 64GB eMMC
- Features a Mali-450 MP2 GPU for responsive visual interfaces, housed in a compact 85 × 85 × 15mm (3.35" × 3.35" × 0.59") design that fits easily in any space.
- Typical power consumption is under 10W, with fanless operation for quiet performance suitable for any room in your home.
Android: identify the app flavor
The Android app has full and minimal flavors. The full flavor is distributed through Google Play and requires Google Play Services. The minimal flavor is available as an APK from the GitHub releases page and through F-Droid; it does not require Google Play Services, but some features are unavailable, including location tracking and Matter commissioning. F-Droid builds releases independently, so its updates may arrive later.
If a feature is missing, confirm the installed flavor before changing permissions or reinstalling. The flavor can explain the difference without indicating a malfunction.
Which permissions and settings affect app features?
Permissions are feature-specific: notifications, location, local-network access, and background activity each affect different behavior. Menu names vary by operating-system version and device manufacturer, so look for the equivalent setting if the label on your phone differs.
Rank #2
- 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
| Area | iOS | Android |
|---|---|---|
| General minimum in the getting-started guide | iOS 16.4 or later | Android 6 or later |
| Background location wording in current docs | “Allow Always” or “Always” | “Allow all the time”; the documented tracker steps call for precise location on Android 12 or later |
| Background behavior | iOS controls and may throttle background refresh | Battery optimization, manufacturer power modes, and data restrictions can interfere |
| Android install options | Not applicable | Full flavor via Google Play requires Google Play Services; minimal flavor omits some features |
| Minimum version identified for the tag-link security fix | 2026.5.0 or later | 2026.5.3 or later |
Notifications and the missing notify.mobile_app action
- Allow notifications for Home Assistant in the phone’s system settings. On Android, check the notification channel used by the message as well.
- Send a simple test notification to confirm the payload and delivery path.
- If the
notify.mobile_appaction is missing after initial setup, restart Home Assistant so the mobile action can register. - If it is still missing, force-quit the app on iOS or force-stop it on Android, reopen it, and restart Home Assistant again. On iOS, also check the Companion app’s notification settings and push ID.
The Companion troubleshooting FAQ says its free notification service is limited to 500 notifications per app target per day, with the limit resetting at midnight UTC. This is the limit stated in that FAQ; service limits can change.
Location and background sensors
On iOS, background sensor updates are tied to location updates and may be throttled by iOS. On Android, grant the required always-on location permission, enable the location sensors you use, allow background access, and check whether battery optimization or background-data restrictions are stopping the app. Some manufacturers add their own power-management controls.
The sensor documentation describes Android sensors updating on a periodic 15-minute interval as well as when certain conditions occur. Available sensors and update behavior depend on the device and its permissions; not every sensor will appear immediately on every phone.
Rank #3
- MULTI-MODE GATEWAY: Smart home bridge supports Zigbee, Bluetooth Mesh dual-protocols, and supports WIFI control at the same time. Whether your device supports Wi-Fi or ZigBee or Bluetooth, you can control them together through the smart gateway on the Smart Life App. It is more stable and safer than using wifi system.
- APP CONTROL: Smart Bluetooth Zigbee hub work with smart life/Tuya App, Support Adding devices, device reset, third-party control and group control. You can manage and remotely control the device through the Smart Life App. You can manage and remotely control your lights, fingerbot and other smart devices via the app, even when you're not home.
- VOICE CONTROL: Smart Zigbee gateway Bluetooth hub compatible with Amazon Alexa/Google Assistant Home/Siri, you can control Smart LED and smart home devices by voice. All smart devices can be controlled with just one command, freeing hands.
- CREAT A SMART SCENE: Sub-devices of the gateway act as trigger conditions for Interacting with devices such as ZigBee, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, for device linkage. Featured as one powerful network bridge for whole house linkage in a real sense for all smart home devices.
- MULTI-DEVICE COMPATIBILITY: Wireless gateway, Compatible with various smart home devices, you can add and control 128 smart devices at the same time, Zigbee hub is like a brain, stably manages multiple devices. Build a fully intelligent home ecosystem. 24 months warranty included
Why does the app need location permission?
Location permission can enable location tracking and related background sensor updates. It may also let the app read the Wi-Fi SSID so it can choose between internal and external Home Assistant URLs. Grant it only if you want the related feature and are comfortable with that access.
Why does Home Assistant work in a browser but not in the app?
Refresh the app, then reproduce the same behavior with the same Home Assistant instance in Safari or Chrome. If the problem also occurs in the browser, the cause may be in the Home Assistant frontend or a custom component rather than the mobile app. Follow the relevant frontend or component reporting route. If it happens only in the Companion app, report it to the relevant iOS or Android app project and include what happened in the browser comparison.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What should you do if Android needs a clean reset?
Try the official recovery sequence rather than assuming uninstalling and reinstalling is equivalent. The Android troubleshooting guide warns that uninstalling can trigger auto-backup.
Rank #4
- [Multi-Protocol Hub with Matter Bridge] The M3 is a versatile hub supporting Aqara Zigbee and Thread devices. It integrates third-party devices into the Aqara Home app. Supports advanced Matter bridge functionality, enabling Aqara-exclusive scenes and signals to sync with Matter ecosystems such as Home Assistant for seamless integration. Supports up to 127 Aqara Zigbee devices （** Not third-party Zigbee devices) and 127 Thread devices (Repeaters are needed).
- [Edge Compatibilities and Local Automations] The M3 serves as an Edge Hub, prioritizing local control and automation. Upon integration, it supersedes existing Aqara hubs, shifting the automations among them to local operation (Some cloud-based notifications still require internet). Upgrade-friendly, it supports migrating Zigbee devices from older Aqara hubs.
- [Smart IR Blaster with Feedback and Learning] The 360°IR blaster not only sends commands but also provides accurate status updates by detecting traditional remote use. It connects IR air conditioning units to Matter, functioning as an AC thermostat when paired with an Aqara Temperature and Humidity Sensor. (Note: Only one AC device can be exposed to Matter. Functionality may vary based on the Matter integration app. For Apple Home exposure, use Matter integration instead of HomeKit.)
- [Optimal Wired and Wireless Connectivity] Offering both wired and wireless solutions, the smart home hub M3 provides dual-band Wi-Fi (2.4/5 GHz) with advanced WPA3 security, and a Power over Ethernet (PoE) port. The addition of a USB-C port allows for mini-UPS and power bank connections, delivering unparalleled stability. (2A USB power adapter is not included. ) . Note: To ensure a stable connection, place the Hub M3 between 6 to 19 feet from the router.
- [Privacy-Focused with Encrypted Storage, Easy Setup and Versatile Placement] The M3 prioritizes privacy by excluding microphone or camera components. It boasts 8GB end-to-end encrypted local storage, for device lists, configuration parameters, and automation configuration data. Additionally, it includes a mount and screws for flexible placement on flat surfaces, walls, or ceilings. Magic Pair technology ensures effortless detection by the Aqara Home app upon power-up.
- Check that Home Assistant Core, the Android app, and Android System WebView are current.
- Log out of the app and back in. If the problem remains, prepare to clear the app’s storage; preserve any configuration you need first.
- Clear the affected app’s storage, then remove the affected Mobile App integration entry in Home Assistant.
- Restart Home Assistant and log in to the app again with your Home Assistant credentials.
Follow the official Android troubleshooting FAQ for the current sequence and details.
How should you handle remote connection or URL errors?
The app must be able to reach a working server address. Home Assistant’s networking guidance says remote connections require encryption; do not expose an unencrypted Home Assistant server publicly. Location permission may be used to read the Wi-Fi SSID when the app chooses between internal and external URLs. For URL or connection errors, check the official error guidance and networking documentation before changing a proxy or certificate configuration.
Install the security fix for tag links
Home Assistant’s Android security advisories identify Android Companion app 2026.5.3 or later as patched for an issue in which a tag link delivered through an operating-system routing mechanism could be treated like a physical NFC or QR tag scan and forwarded without user confirmation. The iOS security advisories identify version 2026.5.0 or later. The fixes add an explicit in-app approval step. Until updated, avoid relying on tag triggers for sensitive physical-security automations unless additional safeguards are in place.
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