Switchbot Hub 3

Questions & Help
1

I’m quickly sharing my experience

during the Amazon Prime Days, I bought a SwitchBot Hub 3…
I’m looking for a nice remote device…
even though I don’t have any SwitchBot devices, so I knew I took a risk

Most of my devices are from Philips, IKEA, and Aqara.

The hub cannot see/connect/control any of them

I do have an Apple TV that is recognized by the hub and can interact with it.

I can also control Apple Home scenes with the accessories feature (up to 30), which allows me, for example, to send a command to close an IKEA blind or another to open it (you can’t create a single on/off toggle).

In the end, it’s pretty poorly designed – there’s only one accessory menu grouping all external accessories, with just the option to rename each command.
If at least there was a way to organize them into custom folders or change the icons… but no.

I also tested recording an IR remote – my Samsung TV – and it works.
I can create a scene in the SwitchBot app and add it as one of the four shortcuts on the main screen.

The Hub 3 is properly recognized by Homey, but you can only create flows if one of the hub’s sensors is triggered (temp, movement…).

YOU CANNOT CONTROL NON-SWITCHBOT DEVICES.

My conclusion (IMHO) : totally useless if your main devices aren’t from SwitchBot.

if someone have a better experience with the device in same config, please let me know

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2

I’ve had a similar experience with its ‘universal’ remote control. It has some very odd UI quirks and, as you say, no option to work with non-Switchbot devices unless you can control them with matter (or you have IR devices in direct line of sight).

All it would take is to allow Switchbot hub routines to call URL’s and it could control just about anything. I’ve made that suggestion, but got the distinct impression it’s not open to feedback.

Andy

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3

yes it sad, good potential but not open to competition… seems they want to push their own devices only

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4

I bought one too on a Prime deal and find no use for,it unless you are in the switchbot ecosystem.
As an addition to homey it’s not worth it and the remote control functionality is pretty rubbish and never seemed to work. The hub seems to get a lot of positive reviews on YT but I’m highly sceptical of the sponsored reviews. I sent the unit back for a refund after 2 days of frustration

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5

yep, I asked for a refund too…

6

Connectivity Standards Alliance really need to start implementing new rigid guideines for matter certification.

Unless all controls on a matter device can control other matter devices, then the manufacturer can’t give the product matter certification.

I am getting so frustrated with the current trend of sandboxing devices into one ecosystem.

This is not what matter was supposed to be about.

7

It is completely useless.

I also had to find out the hard way, because I was stupid enough to not look first for this forum thread.

What I don’t understand how these manufacturers can’t see that their revenue would go up if they are open for integration. Who wants / has all their smart home devices from one manufacturer? Not even possible, because there is not one manufacturer that has all kinds one want.

So frustrating….. Gonna have a look now into the Aqara panels / hubs.