Hueblog: Major Philips Hue update brings new effects editor

Major Philips Hue update brings new effects editor

This is all new in version 5.28

Last week, Philips Hue began distributing software version 1.122.2 for almost all of its lights. By now, you should all have received the new firmware – as the manufacturer released an update for the official Philips Hue app yesterday evening. Version 5.28 contains extensive new features, which I would like to introduce to you in this article.

Four new effects and the effects editor

The four new effects had already been announced. Cosmos, Enchant, Sunbeam and Underwater can now be selected in the room settings. Simply tap on a lamp in the room view and then on the small icon with the three stars.


In the Philips Hue app 5.28, this takes you to a completely new view for the now ten standard effects, which have already been created by Philips Hue in a number of variations. You can directly access a violet open fireplace or a pink sparkle.

To the far right of the ready-made effects, you will also find a “Create” button that you can use to create your very own effects. Here you can freely set the basic color, brightness and speed of the effect. This works really well and opens up great new possibilities.

Diffuse style now available for all gradient lamps

With the Philips Hue Festavia, Philips Hue introduced new gradient styles some time ago, one of which was previously exclusive to the light chain: Scattered. Here, five colors are distributed colorfully across the various segments of the lights. This resulted in a colorful distribution of colors within the string lights.

You can now use exactly this effect with all other gradient lights from Philips Hue. To do this, simply select the desired light, then tap the icon with the three dots at the bottom right and select the desired style.

Dark Mode for iOS 18 now official

The icon was already adapted with the last update, now the official implementation of Dark Mode for iOS 18 is taking place. Philips Hue lets us know in the update description: “The Hue app icon and widgets now support the Dark and Tinted features when you customize your Home Screen.”

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Check your local Philips Hue Online Store for availability of Hue products in your country. There you will also find all the technical information and prices.



In den letzten Jahren habe ich mich zu einem echten Experten in Sachen Hue & HomeKit entwickelt. Mittlerweile habe ich über 50 Lampen und zahlreiche Schalter im Einsatz. In meinem kleinen Blog teile ich meine Erfahrungen gerne mit euch.

Comments 5 replies

  1. Even after updating the app and seeing the new Effects editor, I still don’t have the 4 new effects. My bridge is on 1966117030 and my lights are all on 1.116.3, and the app says “everything is up-to-date”.

    I have been waiting for the new effects for weeks. The software update process is very frustrating.

  2. My bridge just got updated from 1.66.1966117030 to 1.67.1967054010, but lights are all still on 116 (1.116.3, 1.116.5, and 67.116.3).

    1. The same here. My Bridge already updated itself to the lastest 1.67.1967054010 firmware, my HUE app to version 5.28, but all my lights are stuck on 1.116.5. I can use the effects editor within the app, but still not seeing four new effects.

  3. We want the ability to create an effect with a very, very slow transition between preset colors to create gentle movement. All these new effects are bright and distracting especially when they flicker bright white colors. Please create an effect that allows for dark, relaxing and super slow transitions / calm moods

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