Author turns old Pixel 4a into Home Assistant BLE presence sensor
Updated
Updated · MUO - MakeUseOf · May 9
Author turns old Pixel 4a into Home Assistant BLE presence sensor
3 articles · Updated · MUO - MakeUseOf · May 9
Using the Home Assistant Companion app on both an old phone and a daily driver, the setup enables BLE Transmitter and Beacon Monitor sensors, then creates a template binary sensor.
The reused phone detects the primary handset's UUID to trigger room-based automations, offering a no-extra-hardware alternative to dedicated smart home presence sensors.
The phone must stay plugged in and be mounted sensibly, with battery-management automations helping limit charging wear while keeping the Home Assistant dashboard visible.
Why might a $15 dedicated sensor be a smarter investment than repurposing your old phone?
Is your 'free' smart home sensor secretly a major security risk on your home network?