# Using bridges or connecting directly to Homey?
**URL:** https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700
**Category:** Questions & Help
**Created:** [May 9, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700 "2026-05-09T17:21:40Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Homeyusers](https://community.homey.app/u/Homeyusers)
#### Post date: [May 9, 2026, 5:21pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/1 "2026-05-09T17:21:40Z")
Do you connect your end devices through their own bridge (like the Philips Hue bridge) and then to Homey, or did you throw away these bridges and connect your end devices directly to Homey ? And why ..
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### Author:  [@Kyle\_Michiels](https://community.homey.app/u/Kyle_Michiels)
#### Post date: [May 9, 2026, 8:30pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/2 "2026-05-09T20:30:40Z")
Depends on your use case.
Ive thrown my ikea bridge out.
But i kept my philips hue bridge cause I sync lights with my TV. They also have some great scenes in the Hue app.
If you dont care about any of these connect to Homey directly
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### Author:  [@Justin\_de\_Knegt](https://community.homey.app/u/Justin_de_Knegt)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2026, 5:58am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/3 "2026-05-10T05:58:39Z")
@Kyle_Michiels Just wondering: but can’t you make the sync (lights with tv) with a flow as well ?
Not saying you shouldn’t use the bridge, but just wondering wat the bridge does what cannot been done with a specific flow for this use case ?
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### Author:  [@smarthomesven](https://community.homey.app/u/smarthomesven)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2026, 7:11am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/4 "2026-05-10T07:11:35Z")
I keep most devices on a bridge instead of directly on Homey. I have a Hue bridge, SwitchBot bridge, ThirdReality bridge and I’m also planning to move my Tuya ZigBee devices to a Tuya MultiMode gateway. The reason that I use the bridges:
- Hue bridge because the Hue app is so much better than Homey’s implementation for lighting.
- SwitchBot bridge because of Homey’s poor BLE range
- ThirdReality bridge for OTA updates
- Tuya bridge because motion sensor reports false positives when directly on Homey
The devices connected to these bridges are all connected to Homey so I can still use them in Homey like I normally would.
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### Author:  [@Bubiai\_2](https://community.homey.app/u/Bubiai_2)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2026, 7:32am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/5 "2026-05-10T07:32:38Z")
For comparison, in my experience, Aqara devices (without a bridge) work at a maximum distance of 10 meters from Homey. Some even struggle at just 5 meters. Simply put, Aqara’s end devices are nowhere near stable.
I am gradually migrating to other brands.On my plot (60x60 m), I’ve installed an irrigation system, a pond fountain, and yard lighting. Manual control is handled via a Philips Hue (with bridge) remote, while automation is managed by Philips Hue motion sensors. The distance from Homey isn’t even worth mentioning here—with Philips Hue, I’ve covered the entire plot and all the other buildings on it. The remote works from anywhere, in any weather conditions.In all my time using Philips Hue, I can’t recall a single instance of failure. I believe Philips Hue (with a bridge) is the perfect example of how a smart home should work
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### Author:  [@SCLS79](https://community.homey.app/u/SCLS79)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2026, 7:35am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/6 "2026-05-10T07:35:35Z")
Still using the Hue Pro bridge. It was fully installed with all the wall switches and presence sensors and works flawlessly. No need to start all over. 47 lights, 19 switches and 5 sensors. Way too much work!
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### Author:  [@smarthomesven](https://community.homey.app/u/smarthomesven)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2026, 7:57am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/7 "2026-05-10T07:57:09Z")
> [@Bubiai\_2](#):
>
> The remote works from anywhere, in any weather conditions.In all my time using Philips Hue, I can’t recall a single instance of failure. I believe Philips Hue (with a bridge) is the perfect example of how a smart home should work
Yes, I totally agree. Hue is rock solid, I’ve so used their system for many years, it has not failed on me once.
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### Author:  [@Bubiai\_2](https://community.homey.app/u/Bubiai_2)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2026, 8:00am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/8 "2026-05-10T08:00:59Z")
It synchronizes with the colors shown on the TV. The lights glow in the same colors that are displayed on the screen.
You can’t do that with flows,
(It synchronizes the colors shown on the TV ( **via the Sync Box** ). The lights match the colors currently displayed on the screen)
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### Author:  [@Justin\_de\_Knegt](https://community.homey.app/u/Justin_de_Knegt)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2026, 8:33am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/9 "2026-05-10T08:33:56Z")
Ah I see, yes that is indeed not possible. I thought it was like “dim the lights when movie starts” or something like that. But reacting to the lights of the tv is something totally different and not possible (at least not easily, if at all) with a flow or script. Thank you for explaining !
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### Author:  [@DirkG](https://community.homey.app/u/DirkG)
#### Post date: [May 10, 2026, 10:09am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/10 "2026-05-10T10:09:54Z")
I try to avoid using additional bridges as much as possible.
For example, I use Philips Hue lights, bulbs, and sensors without a Philips Hue bridge. It works perfectly for my needs.
One of the advantages of using additional bridges is that firmware updates can be installed on the connected devices. Hopefully, this will soon be a thing of the past once Homey allows OTA updates for Z-Wave, Zigbee, and Matter devices.
**Edit**
Inspired by this post, I created a poll. My main goal is to hopefully get more votes, but not to start big discussions. I would appreciate it if you would all give your vote.
> [@bar\_chart Poll: Do you use Homey with or without additional bridges?](https://community.homey.app/t/poll-do-you-use-homey-with-or-without-additional-bridges/154723):
>
> Inspired by the thread “[Using bridges or connecting directly to Homey?](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700)”, I’d like to know if you use your Homey with or without additional bridges. Before voting, please read the additional explanations in the information_source footnotes. Only one vote per person is allowed. [poll](https://community.homey.app/t/poll-do-you-use-homey-with-or-without-additional-bridges/154723/1)information_source Footnotes: \*¹ This means that communication is only possible via an additional bridge, such as those used by Somfy, EcoWitt, etc., or that the device is not currently supported by Homey; keywo…
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### Author:  [@Homeyusers](https://community.homey.app/u/Homeyusers)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2026, 7:07am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/11 "2026-05-11T07:07:19Z")
Philips Hue Motionaware requires the Hue Bridge Pro to work - this motion detection works really well in Philips’ Hue ecosystem, and is not supported without the Bridge (Pro).
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### Author:  [@TMRL](https://community.homey.app/u/TMRL)
#### Post date: [May 11, 2026, 8:36pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/12 "2026-05-11T20:36:35Z")
Like most here, I use Hue, which is a fully mature system with big benefits that Homey just can’t match in functionality and upgrades, so yes, I have no plans to ditch my bridge though I did initially and switches back to using the bridge. That said, I’m VERY reticent to buy more bridges. Returned a front door lock because it required a bridge, returned another because Homey didn’t support enough on it. Though Aqara makes a lot of good devices not buying anything that requires their bridge to function. I MIGHT consider buying a bridge that would make my Tuya stuff localized but other than that, I prefer to invest in Homey which is why it’s super important to me that they continue to develop support. Right now I have a huge hole of support for mini-splits that hoping someone will solve soon 🙏
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### Author:  [@Jaap\_Bastiaans](https://community.homey.app/u/Jaap_Bastiaans)
#### Post date: [May 12, 2026, 2:21pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/13 "2026-05-12T14:21:48Z")
Maybe I’m missing something, but aside from the need for a separate bridge (e.g. Somfy), doesn’t anyone run into the fact that (for zigbee anyway) any bridge usually doesn’t support more than a hundred or so devices (Homey itself even less)? I have over 500 zigbee devices connected to various bridges throughout my property, 4 Aqara bridges, Somfy Switch, 3 Hue bridges (I know, could be less if I moved to the new Pro bridge). It is however Homey Pro that makes them work seamlessly as one!
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### Author:  [@Aldo\_De\_Micheli](https://community.homey.app/u/Aldo_De_Micheli)
#### Post date: [May 14, 2026, 10:26am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/14 "2026-05-14T10:26:47Z")
I still use Hue bridge (not the pro) and Ikea Dirigera.
Removed Tuya zigbee gateway, Aqara M2 and Aqara M3.
Some Zigbee devices (typically Tuya) are not managed correctly by Homey. If connected to Dirigera and then Dirigera connected via Matter, they are managed correctly by Homey.
Unfortunately, for many devices there is the problem of updating the firmware which, without their gateway, does not yet work.
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### Author:  [@Crash69](https://community.homey.app/u/Crash69)
#### Post date: [May 15, 2026, 8:22am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/15 "2026-05-15T08:22:38Z")
I only use a bridge when needed or wanted for specific connectivity or functionality. I my case i do have the Hue bridge and the Tahoma bridge (for my Somfy sunscreen).
So, no bridge for my other devices of brands such as Tado or Innr.
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### Author:  [@Eric\_B](https://community.homey.app/u/Eric_B)
#### Post date: [May 16, 2026, 11:40am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/16 "2026-05-16T11:40:46Z")
I use the Homey mostly to create the flows. For Hue I use Hue bridge pro. At the moment I am moving my zigbee sensors to HomeAssistant as the zigbee does not work as good as with HA.
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### Author:  [@Dominik](https://community.homey.app/u/Dominik)
#### Post date: [May 19, 2026, 12:32am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/17 "2026-05-19T00:32:20Z")
If, like me, you have a lot of lights, having your own bridge definitely makes sense - the latency is much lower. I had it connected directly at first, too.
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### Author:  [@fsw](https://community.homey.app/u/fsw)
#### Post date: [May 22, 2026, 8:59am UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/18 "2026-05-22T08:59:56Z")
i keep my bridges, there mostly the best in their class, designed to do their thing. Homey is designed to do many thinks but not all at the highest level.
I just use homey as an orchastrator. Been using homey since 2019 and i had 3 failures in the earlier days. So without a homey all the lighting etc just keeps mostly working.
i like redundancies and fall back schenarios, as a software developer i might look different on system design than someone else might do.
Also theres the WAF, you can only fuck up so many times before you loose support. 😉
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### Author:  [@SCLS79](https://community.homey.app/u/SCLS79)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2026, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/19 "2026-08-31T17:16:20Z")
Using a couple of bridges just because it works better. Homey is just to connect it all together.
Hue Bridge Pro, Meross hub, SwitchBot Hub, Somfy hub. All doing their thing. Keeps everything very stable…
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### Author:  [@smarthomesven](https://community.homey.app/u/smarthomesven)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2026, 5:49pm UTC](https://community.homey.app/t/using-bridges-or-connecting-directly-to-homey/154700/20 "2026-08-31T17:49:24Z")
Yes, I also use many bridges. Primarily for firmware updates and to prevent having a single point of failure (if Homey doesn’t work for some reason, then I can still control each device manually).
Tuya Zigbee bridge, SmartThings Hub, Xiaomi Mi Home Hub 2, SwitchBot Hub Mini, Hue bridge, Tado bridge, Eufy homebase, ThirdReality Hub, Innr bridge, Somfy connectivity kit, Brel hub, Nordlux bridge and 2 HomeWizard Link’s. And of course my Homey Pro 2019
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