FabianWe’ve been waiting a long time for this, but this week it finally became possible: several Hue Bridges can be combined into one home. Multi-Bridge support finally makes it possible to control all lights directly in the app without having to constantly switch between different views. However, not all the functions that the Hue community would like to see are integrated. What will happen to the multi-bridge function in 2025?
A development for the most passionate users
In recent years, Philips Hue has repeatedly mentioned that only a small proportion of users actually need to use more than one bridge. So where did the change of heart to integrate such a function come from? ‘They are our most passionate users, so it was always something we wanted to support. I’m really happy that we were able to introduce a technically future-proof solution and a good user experience this week,’ explains Hue inventor George Yianni to Hueblog.
This feature is coming in early 2025
While we were still excited about the introduction of the new function, the first requests from the community were already coming in. Numerous functions are still missing – so I asked George Yianni which features are next on the to-do list. Here is his answer: ‘We are currently working hard on bringing support for multi-bridge homes towards our major smarthome partners. We expect that to be ready in early 2025.’
The major smart home platforms include Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Despite the introduction of multi-bridge support, with the exception of Apple Home and Siri, only one bridge can be controlled via voice assistant. This is set to change in the coming months.
There are other functions on the community’s wish list. For example, transferring devices from one bridge to another. Or using a switch from Bridge A to control a lamp from Bridge B. However, Philips Hue does not reveal any details here, simply stating: ‘We do not have plans to share at this time on removing the restriction that accessories can only control lights linked to the bridge they are part of.’
Support website provides further information
What we could certainly observe in 2024: The Philips Hue software team is incredibly hard-working. Updates with improvements and new functions have been released every month. And, of course, they will continue to improve the app. ‘We continue to explore improvements to our app user experience especially as more and more devices and information needs to be visualised with multi bridge homes’, promises George Yianni.
Incidentally, Philips Hue provides further information on how Multi-Bridge works in a new support document. There you will also find numerous graphics that clearly explain the new function and the technology behind it.
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Good morning Fabian,
What about the backup function?
I think it’s the function most needed, which is still missing.
This was exactly the first thing I wanted when I was reading the article too…
Backup to cloud or backup to local.
Or as minimum a serial number export with device names.
A function to “replace a device” with another would also be great.
My hue bulbs are getting to be >5 years old and a few start to degrade (e.g GU10s that cannot display yellow white).
It would simplify adding a new one, remove the old and renaming.
+1
I was hoping multi bridge support was a first step on their roadmap to provide backup features.
We really need some peace of mind having a backup function for all of the Hue eco-system.
Hello, now when we can finally have more bridges under the same account are we able to transfer lights between bridges.
I have bad connectivity and sometimes I press the hue switch and nothing happens. Only after pressing couple of times the light finally switches.
I purchased a second bridge to have lights closer to one or another bridge but it looks that I will have to delete lights and switches and setup them from scratch on the second bridge.
Is there any option to avoid that?
Thank you!