Back in April, I gave you a first preview of the next major update of iConnectHue (App Store link). From today, version 5.5 of the popular app for iPhone and iPad can be downloaded. And of course the new widgets for the home screen and lock screen are part of this update.
Just a few weeks ago, Philips Hue integrated a long-awaited function into its iOS app: Widgets for the homescreen. This allows scenes to be activated and rooms to be switched on or off without opening the Philips Hue app. Widgets will soon also be available in another very popular app: iConnectHue (App Store link) for iPhone and iPad.
While you previously had to take a diversion via the Siri shortcuts and had to make noticeable compromises in terms of design, native widgets have finally been available in the Philips Hue app since the update to version 5.14. This allows you to activate scenes from the home screen or lock screen and switch entire rooms or zones on and off.
The Philips Hue app has received another update and this is particularly interesting for users of an iPhone or iPad. After a long, long time, there are finally widgets for Philips Hue again. I’ll explain exactly what you can expect in this article. Several years ago, the widgets in iOS could still be found in the Today view, and Philips Hue widgets were already available back then.
I have already mentioned it several times in the past: Many of you miss the widgets. With the launch of the new Philips Hue app they were banned from iPhone and iPad, as an alternative you are supposed to use Siri shortcuts. For many Hue fans, this is not a satisfying alternative.
The subject of widgets has kept the Hue community very busy in recent weeks. Not without reason, because the widgets, which were popular with many users, have been virtually eliminated without replacement on the iPhone and iPad. Siri shortcuts and the corresponding iOS widgets are to serve as a replacement. A workaround, because only these can perform actions directly from the homescreen without having to open the Hue app.
Fabian