# How to group devices? **URL:** \ **Category:** Questions & Help\ **Created:** [March 8, 2024, 10:43am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-group-devices/105800 "2024-03-08T10:43:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Olivier\_Arthus](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/olivier_arthus/32/88909_2.png) [@Olivier\_Arthus](https://community.homey.app/u/Olivier_Arthus)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 10:43am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-group-devices/105800/1 "2024-03-08T10:43:56Z")
Hello I have multiple door sensors and would like to group them: - with a virtual device (I guess) so that it shows a global status: ALL OPEN / ALL CLOSED (if all underlying devices are OPEN / CLOSED) - on the app, to show all door sensors together in a list, without having to go room by room (where my devices are / should be located) I’m pretty new to Homey, so forgive me if my question is pretty basic Thanks ---
**Author:** ![DirkG](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/dirkg/32/118897_2.png) [@DirkG](https://community.homey.app/u/DirkG)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 12:33pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-group-devices/105800/2 "2024-03-08T12:33:48Z")
Requirement 1 can be made easily with the [\< group \>](https://homey.app/en-us/app/com.swttt.devicegroups/%3C-group-%3E/) app. Requirement 1 & 2 can be made with an _ **Advanced Virtual Device** _ by using the [Device Capabilities](https://homey.app/en-us/app/nl.qluster-it.DeviceCapabilities/Device-Capabilities/) app. More info and examples about the AVD can be found [here](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-advanced-virtual-device-device-capabilities-app-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198). ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Draper](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/jonathan_draper/32/33978_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Draper](https://community.homey.app/u/Jonathan_Draper)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 1:30pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-group-devices/105800/3 "2024-03-08T13:30:45Z")
An alternative approach to consider is to organise your devices into zones by device group instead of strictly by room. I have a zone for all my doors and windows, with zones inside that for downstairs, upstairs. Then I can meet both your requirements 1 and 2 using the built-in zones and zone activity. I extend the approach for other devices such as lights too. In practise, I find that having all my upstairs lights showing together for example is more useful than having a room-by-room view with sensors, lights and other device types grouped together. At the end of the day this is definitely a matter of personal preference though so your mileage may well vary. More info on [zone activity](https://support.homey.app/hc/en-us/articles/360026209853-Using-Zone-Activity) here And here’s what a bit of my device zones look like ![Screenshot 2024-03-08 at 13.42.25](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/8/4/84b9abf85392a27b3ced753aa6da6ad2ce517439.png) ---
**Author:** ![Olivier\_Arthus](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/olivier_arthus/32/88909_2.png) [@Olivier\_Arthus](https://community.homey.app/u/Olivier_Arthus)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 4:41pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-group-devices/105800/6 "2024-03-08T16:41:07Z")
Thanks, I will try the Device Capabilities app, i did not know it Once I have tried I will confirm here it’s working ---
**Author:** ![Olivier\_Arthus](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/olivier_arthus/32/88909_2.png) [@Olivier\_Arthus](https://community.homey.app/u/Olivier_Arthus)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 4:44pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-group-devices/105800/7 "2024-03-08T16:44:30Z")
thanks for the suggestion. However i do want to keep a view by room too, so i was looking for an alternative view rather than a replacement. It is amazing to me the contrast with Homey. The overall experience is that of a real user friendly system, but there are really basic things (such as view by device type for instance) that are totally missing. Ability to customize the apllication on the smartphone is close to zero (beside dark / light mode). hopefully this will improve in the future, ithout having to use an external app ---
**Author:** ![Olivier\_Arthus](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/olivier_arthus/32/88909_2.png) [@Olivier\_Arthus](https://community.homey.app/u/Olivier_Arthus)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2024, 5:11pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-group-devices/105800/8 "2024-03-08T17:11:14Z")
ok I have installed the app and I’m trying to understand how it works, not straight forward to me. I have read the topic: > [@\[APP\]\[Pro\] Device Capabilities - Enhance the capabilities of devices](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-device-capabilities-enhance-the-capabilities-of-devices/43287): > > If you have questions about the App Device Capabilities or seek help with an Flow or with the Flow Exchanger, please see the [Device Capabilities Topic](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-device-capabilities-enhance-the-capabilities-of-devices/43287). This topic! [German](https://community.homey.app/t/the-flow-exchange-r-helfen-und-fragen-stellen/69807)[Another German topic](https://community.homey.app/t/device-capabilities/67934)[English](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-device-capabilities-enhance-the-capabilities-of-devices/43287) If you have questions about the Advanced Virtual Device or seek help with the Exchanger File, please see the [Advanced Virtual Devices Topic](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-device-capabilities-addendum-fully-customisable-advanced-virtual-device-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198). [German](https://community.homey.app/t/teilen-sie-ihr-gerat-erweiterte-virtuelle-gerate-aus-den-geratefahigkeiten/69583)[English](https://community.homey.app/t/app-pro-device-capabilities-addendum-fully-customisable-advanced-virtual-device-with-unique-text-status-indicator/68198) If you want to post a AVD as a Template for others to use, please post it on [Share Your Device! - Advanced Virtual Devices](https://community.homey.app/t/share-your-device-advanced-virtual-devices-from-device-capabilities/68676). [Germa…](https://community.homey.app/t/teilen-sie-ihr-gerat-erweiterte-virtuelle-gerate-aus-den-geratefahigkeiten/69583) but I don’t see some kind of user guide giving the general principles, I will try on the dedicated topic. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Kawa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/peter_kawa/32/173848_2.png) [@Peter\_Kawa](https://community.homey.app/u/Peter_Kawa)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2024, 9:07pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-group-devices/105800/9 "2024-03-09T21:07:54Z")
> [@Olivier\_Arthus](#): > > with a virtual device (I guess) so that it shows a global status: ALL OPEN / ALL CLOSED (if all underlying devices are OPEN / CLOSED) Here’s a complete solution, you can even import the device and associated flow: (I made this as answer to[a similar question](https://community.homey.app/t/at-all-time-show-open-door-window-sensors/105225)): > [@Share Your Device! - Advanced Virtual Devices from Device Capabilities](https://community.homey.app/t/share-your-device-advanced-virtual-devices-from-device-capabilities/68676/88): > > # 'Master’ Doors/Windows status indicator > > This device + accompanying flow shows the status of 3 door/window sensors. > It’s **off** and shows `0 #Open` when all are **closed** > It’s _ **on** _ and shows `1 #Open` when _ **1 is opened** _ > It’s _ **on** _ and shows `2 #Open` when _ **2 are opened** _ and so forth > > #### Device tile (on mobile app): > > ![signal-2024-03-02-042457_002](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/7/0/7041c0398d0e12cff55821a723a1a9182faa58d2.jpeg) > > ![signal-2024-03-02-042457_003](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/0/5/05f4d25bde626b2789fff8d6b40e84cbc5eda373.jpeg) > > #### All contact sensors overview in the device settings: > > ![Screenshot_20240309-221654_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/e/b/ebb44696d8165fa421cd8a54aa29ab8a3319fbb8.jpeg) > > #### Flow: > > ![Screenshot from 2024-03-02 23-11-28](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/5/6/56aa85a9faaeda6c7416af26e7b4fe0e39972e33.png) > > #### Device settings: > > ![Screenshot_20240309-223214_Homey](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/uploads/athom/original/3X/5/b/5bc7e01feceda4e7845ce1ab7fc52ee6ba5c8bac.jpeg) > > #### TEF (file with exported device & flow): > > ```auto > [tef:AVD:"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":/tef] > > ``` . There’s no “All Open” status, but that’s quite easy (to me) to add. Just ask if you can’t get your head around it. This app has a pretty steep learning curve. ---
**Author:** ![Olivier\_Arthus](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex025/user_avatar/community.homey.app/olivier_arthus/32/88909_2.png) [@Olivier\_Arthus](https://community.homey.app/u/Olivier_Arthus)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2024, 9:30am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/how-to-group-devices/105800/10 "2024-03-10T09:30:14Z")
thanks a lot, this looks indeed exactly like what I’m looking for. I’m going to try it right away Ok, I tried to understand how to install, but I really don’t know where to start from. In your original post you mention a number of apps that you used (not sure I need to install them) and I did not find a way to identify a device I could install on my Homey nor a flow I have installed the Device capabilites app, and tried to look at the user guide, but the screens are pretty different from the ones I have only app. Ok I found how to import the file created by Peter, if it’s not obvious for you, here’s how to do it: 1°) Install new app “Device Capabilities” 2°) Create new device / device capabilities / advanced virtual device 3°) Connect / importing a TEF 4°) Paste : [quote=“Peter\_Kawa, post:88, topic:68676”] ```auto [tef:AVD:"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":/tef] ``` [/quote] 5°) Read device, it will be created automatically Thanks