{"id":4163,"date":"2026-04-03T17:17:47","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T17:17:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chrissmart.de\/?p=4163"},"modified":"2026-04-03T17:20:13","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T17:20:13","slug":"home-assistant-2026-4-infrarot-automationen-und-ui","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/chrissmart.de\/en\/home-assistant-2026-4-infrared-automations-and-ui\/","title":{"rendered":"Home Assistant 2026.4: Infrared support, new automations and major UI improvements"},"content":{"rendered":"

Home Assistant version 2026.4 is a particularly comprehensive update that brings both new features and fundamental improvements to existing Home Assistant systems. The focus is on better integration of older devices, significantly simplified automation creation, and a further improved user interface.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sets Home Assistant<\/a> its monthly Release cycle<\/a> continues and shows once again how the platform is continuously evolving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Infrared is becoming part of the smart home.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One of the most important new features in Home Assistant 2026.4 is native support for infrared (IR). What initially sounds like outdated technology proves to be extremely relevant in practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many household appliances \u2013 including televisions, air conditioners, fans, and soundbars \u2013 have an infrared receiver but are not connected to the smart home system. This is precisely where the update comes in: Home Assistant can now directly address and control these devices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Home<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Technically, this is done via so-called Infrared proxies<\/strong>. These are small, inexpensive devices that function as IR transmitters. These devices receive commands from Home Assistant and transmit them via infrared to the corresponding devices in the household.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n\t\"SwitchBot<\/div>\n\t\t
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SwitchBot Hub Mini Smart IR<\/h5>\n\t\t\t
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Connects to Wi-Fi, air conditioning control, compatible with Alexa, Google Home, Siri, IFTTT (White)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\n\t\t\t\tView in shop*\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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\n\t\"SwitchBot<\/div>\n\t\t
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SwitchBot Hub Mini with IR and Matter<\/h5>\n\t\t\t
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Compatible with Alexa\/Google Home\/Apple Home, controls air conditioners and IR devices via app or voice, connects SwitchBot devices, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi only<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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\n\t\n\t\t\t\tView in shop*\t\t\t<\/a>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

The concept is very similar to the already familiar Bluetooth proxies, which make Bluetooth devices accessible throughout the house. The difference: While Bluetooth works bidirectionally, infrared communication is one-way. This means that the current status of a device cannot always be immediately reported back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nevertheless, the control works reliably in everyday use because Home Assistant works with so-called "assumed states." The new integration is particularly interesting for... LG televisions<\/a>*, which enables basic functions such as turning on and off, volume, input switching or navigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Home<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another important aspect is sustainability: Instead of replacing functioning devices with new, "smart" versions, existing devices can continue to be used and integrated into the smart home. This saves costs and reduces electronic waste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Automations become significantly simpler and more intuitive.<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A second key focus of the update is the further development of automations. Since version 2025.12, Home Assistant has pursued the goal of aligning automations more closely with real-world use cases. With version 2026.4, this development reaches a new milestone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Purpose-bound triggers and conditions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Instead of dealing with technical parameters such as entity states or numerical thresholds, users can now work directly with understandable scenarios. Examples include phrases like "When a light is switched on" or "When the heating is running." These so-called purpose-bound triggers and conditions<\/strong> They significantly simplify the creation of automations and make them accessible even to less technically skilled users.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Home<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Automations think like in real life<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

One particularly important innovation is the introduction of cross-domain triggers and conditions<\/strong>. Until now, automation systems have been heavily tied to technical entities. For example, anyone wanting to detect whether a door had been opened had to know whether it was a contact sensor or a motorized cover. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This new approach eliminates that complexity. Automation is now based on real-world concepts such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n