I’d like to suggest that Athom opens a low-level BLE API in the Homey SDK to allow external devices (such as ESP32 microcontrollers running ESPHome) to act as Bluetooth proxy nodes for Homey Pro, extending BLE coverage without requiring additional Homey Bridge units.
The problem
Bluetooth Low Energy coverage is inherently limited by distance and walls. For users with BLE sensors in distant rooms (Xiaomi Mi Flora, presence sensors, thermometers, etc.), the only current official solution is purchasing a Homey Bridge (~65€) per coverage area.
This is expensive when the underlying need is simply extending the BLE radio reach of Homey Pro.
How Home Assistant solved this
Home Assistant implemented a native protocol (habluetooth) that allows ESP32 microcontrollers running ESPHome firmware to act as remote BLE adapters. From HA’s perspective, the BLE stack is transparently extended across the home using devices that cost ~6€ each.
This is widely adopted, well-documented, and actively maintained by the ESPHome community.
What we’re asking for
An extension of the Homey SDK BLE API that would allow community developers to build apps where an external device (ESP32 or similar) forwards BLE advertisements and connections to Homey Pro over the local network — effectively acting as a satellite BLE radio.
This would enable:
• A community-built ESPHome Bluetooth Proxy app for Homey Pro
• Flexible, low-cost BLE coverage extension
• Reduced dependency on Homey Bridge for pure BLE range use cases
Why this makes sense for Athom
• Homey Bridge would remain the official, plug-and-play solution for non-technical users
• This API would serve the power-user and developer segment without cannibalizing Bridge sales
• It strengthens the Homey ecosystem by enabling a category of community apps that currently don’t exist
• ESP32 hardware is ubiquitous — many Homey users already own these devices
Current workarounds and why they fall short
The only known workaround is routing BLE data through Home Assistant as an intermediary (ESPHome Proxy → HA → Homey via the HA integration). This works but adds unnecessary complexity and a dependency on a second hub running 24/7.
Community interest
If Athom opens this API, there is already interest in the community to build and maintain such an app. The ESPHome app ecosystem for Homey Pro (by Baldhor and Uğur Benek) proves that community developers are willing to invest time in ESPHome-Homey integrations.
Thanks for considering this. Happy to discuss technical details or clarify the use case further.
