12mo ago

Companion app: force sensors update with intent

I'd like to use my smartphone WiFi SSID to determine if I'm home or not. When I'm home the alarm (kinda, just notifications from some sensors) needs to be shut off and a light needs to be turned on. Since the sensors update can be forced at maximum 1 minute (but I'd prefer to leave it at 15 minutes to preserve battery) and since 1 minute is too much, is there a way to send an intent to HA companion app to send a sensors update? I would use Tasker to send the intent.

11 comments

Go to your phone WiFi settings and turn off the random Mac address security feature on your wifi, then set up your router in HA as an integration. This will make device trackers for each mac address on your lan.
Then you can set that device tracker in your person.entity to track yourself.
That way, when you get home and on your WiFi, your router will mark you home
- I didn't know that existed integrations for routers. I'm installing the one for OPNsense and I'll try this method. by the way, I've just noticed that the wifi SSID to which I'm connected changes instantly in HA, I've no idea why! 😅
  
  In the companion app, where you choose the update interval, there's a banner of text that explains it.
  Some sensors update instantly (such as connected WiFi SSID), others update on an interval (such a battery level or pressure sensor).
  The maximum update interval applies to non-instantaneous sensors.
  Sensors will update either instantly or on a defined interval. If the sensor supports instant updates then it will always receive instant updates. View the sensor details to learn which sensors update instantly.
  If the sensor does not support instant updates then it will update based on one of the below selected options
  You must restart the application when you make any changes to this setting
  When you select which sensors to enable you can see whether it's an instantly updating one or one on a timer
Just to add - if your phone drops off the wifi (mine does and I'm still trying to find out why... maybe due to power saving), then maybe, you could also look at bluetooth tracking (ie something like ESPresence) for HA to know you're still at home.
(Bluetooth can also be setup in the Companion App)
- Nice idea, thanks!
- Thanks for the idea, that's what I've been using with Node Red. Since I've discovered that the WiFi SSID is updated instantly, for me is better and faster to use that to fire an automation.
You can also use the GPS tracking in the companion app. If you're on android (I've had issues on IOS) and have your home zone set up rightz it's pretty damn solid.
I use it and have my outside lights integrated, and they're always on when I get home at night
- I'll try it, thanks!
  
  On iOS you may need to allow HA to constantly track your location. I’ve done a decent amount of testing with zones and it seems to work well. I used some temp Node Red logic to send a push notification as I entered/left zones and it was pretty accurate.

11 comments