Philips Hue is a smart lighting system made by Signify, the company that was formerly the Philips Lighting division of Royal Philips. It covers bulbs, light strips and lamps, plus switches, sensors, security devices and sync products for screens and music, all managed from the Hue app.
Most Hue products talk to a Hue Bridge, which runs a separate Zigbee network and links it to your home network. A small setup can skip the bridge and use Bluetooth, but Hue says that limits control to about 10 bulbs and drops automations and away-from-home access. Newer Matter-enabled bulbs can also join a smart home directly, and some use Thread.
That suits people who want one lighting system that works with Alexa, Google Home, Apple Home and SmartThings, and who may later add Home Assistant, Homey or similar. It is less simple if you want to avoid a bridge, because several features, including Matter for older bulbs, depend on one.
Connection
Zigbee through the Hue Bridge, or Bluetooth
Voice assistants
Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple Home (Siri)
Matter
Yes, through the Bridge; directly on some bulbs
Open platforms
Home Assistant, Homey, openHAB and a local API
What can be connected
Lighting Bulbs, light strips, lamps, outdoor lights and smart plugs
Controls and sensors Dimmer switches, tap and dial switches, motion and contact sensors
Security and sync Hue Secure cameras and sensors, the Play HDMI sync box and screen or music sync
The main app. It groups lights into rooms and zones, sets scenes, automations and timers, handles remote control, and is where the Matter and voice assistant links are set up. It also covers Hue Secure devices. Hue says it controls lights over a Bridge or over Bluetooth. Published by Signify Netherlands.
Matches colour-capable Hue lights to what is on a computer screen. Hue lists macOS (Big Sur and later) and Windows 10 (x64), and the download buttons point to Hue's own download server rather than an app store.
Syncs lights to what is playing on supported Samsung TVs (2022 models and later, with some QLED limits). Hue gives no store link and says the app appears in the TV's own Apps search.
The Hue Bridge runs a private Zigbee network separate from Wi-Fi, and each bulb relays signals to strengthen the mesh. The Bridge Pro lists Zigbee in the 2.4 GHz band with a Zigbee trust centre. Zigbee2MQTT's page for one Hue bulb says it can pair that bulb directly without a Hue Bridge, which is an unofficial route.
Hue lights can be controlled over Bluetooth without a Bridge. Hue's Alexa page says up to 10 lights in one room, and its Bridge FAQ says this loses automations, HomeKit voice control and control from away from home. Bluetooth products cannot be used with Matter.
Some newer Matter-enabled Hue bulbs support Thread and need a Thread Border Router such as a HomePod mini, Nest Hub (2nd gen) or Echo (4th gen). Hue's comparison marks Thread as not available when bulbs are controlled through a Hue Bridge over Matter. Hue's pages we read do not list which bulb models have Thread.
The original Bridge plugs into the router by Ethernet. Hue's page for the Bridge Pro says it can connect by Ethernet or Wi-Fi, with Ethernet recommended. Hue lights themselves do not use Wi-Fi in the pages we read.
Hue says the Bridge and Bridge Pro enable Matter through a software update, so connected Hue lights and accessories, including older non-Matter ones, appear in Matter ecosystems. Hue does not use the words Matter bridge or Matter controller; a Matter Alpha certification listing describes the Bridge as a gateway device. Matter-enabled bulbs can also be paired directly without a Bridge. The Play HDMI sync box and the dial on the Tap dial switch are not supported.
Hue documents voice control of lights and the Hue Sync box through a Google Assistant speaker or display. The Hue Bridge is described as optional but recommended for enhanced features and Matter. Setup is done in the Google Home app.
Hue documents voice control and Echo-based routines. The page says a Bridge is not needed to start, and that lights can be added over Bluetooth first. It does not mention an Alexa skill or Matter. Hue's Matter guide lists the Echo models that work with a Bridge and without one.
Hue documents Apple Home and Siri voice control, plus Siri Shortcuts. An Apple TV, HomePod or iPad can act as the home hub for automations. Hue's Bridge FAQ lists HomeKit voice control among things lost without a Bridge. Direct Matter pairing with newer bulbs through Apple Home is described in Hue's Matter guide.
Hue lists SmartThings as a supported smart home platform and says Hue lights can be added to the SmartThings app, including Hue Sync on Samsung Galaxy devices. The page does not say whether a Bridge is required. Hue's Matter guide mentions multi-admin with SmartThings when a Bridge is used.
Hue lists Sonos on its Works with page and says both products can be controlled with Sonos Voice Control. We did not read a dedicated Sonos setup page.
A built-in Hue integration needs a Hue Bridge and supports lights, scenes, motion sensors and remotes. V2 (square) bridges push changes over a local event stream; the V1 round bridge is end of life with limits. A separate built-in Hue BLE integration controls Bluetooth Hue lights directly with a compatible Bluetooth adapter. Both are maintained by the Home Assistant project, not by Signify.
Athom publishes an official Philips Hue app that needs a Hue Bridge. It lists Homey Cloud, Homey Pro, Homey Pro mini and Homey Self-Hosted Server, and connects through the local network or a Hue cloud account. It says third-party Friends of Hue accessories might work but are not officially supported. A separate community app by Bortbytt Software pairs Hue Zigbee lights directly without a Hue Bridge, and its listing marks devices as needing a Homey Bridge.
The Philips Hue binding is in openHAB's add-on list and needs a Hue Bridge. It supports both bridge generations, and the page recommends the API v2 mode for new installations. It finds bridges on the local network and says almost all Hue devices work, while only the Hue Motion Sensor and Dimmer Switch have been tested among sensors.
Community nodes exist. node-red-contrib-huemagic uses the Hue CLIP v2 API and lists the square Hue Bridge and the Bridge Pro. It is hosted on a personal GitHub account, and we could not confirm its maintenance status.
Hubitat documents a Hue Bridge Integration app that brings Hue Bridge lights and groups into Hubitat. The page we read does not say which bridge versions are supported or whether it runs locally.
Domoticz lists a Philips Hue Bridge hardware type. It supports V1 and V2 bridges, and its wiki notes that V2 is recommended because it supports more sensor and device types. The bridge allows only about three concurrent API connections.
Third-party Control4 drivers exist. One bundle from Whistle Projects Pty Ltd, sold through DriverCentral, covers lights, buttons, sensors and wall switches, and lists Bridge Pro support. It is a paid add-on, and we could not confirm any Signify or Control4 endorsement.
Hue lists IFTTT on its Works with page. IFTTT's Hue page lists one query and 10 actions, such as scenes, on and off, dimming and colour changes, and no triggers. We could not confirm from either page whether a paid IFTTT plan is required.
Hue's partner pages do not cover this. Homey's Hue app page says third-party Friends of Hue accessories such as IKEA or Osram products connected through the Bridge might work but are not officially supported. IKEA's Dirigera hub has been reported to add a Hue Bridge through Matter.
Hue runs a developer program. The Bridge exposes a local HTTPS REST API: the app asks for a key and the user confirms by pressing the physical link button. API v2 adds local state-change events and rejects plain HTTP. Hue's guide says some deeper documentation needs a developer account. We did not read the remote API terms.
Checked 11 November 2026 against the brand's own pages, app store listings and each project's own page. “Not found” means we searched and found nothing, not that it is impossible. Compatibility changes often. Spot an error? Tell us and we will fix it.
Common questions about Philips Hue (Signify)
Does Philips Hue (Signify) support Matter?
Yes. Hue says the Bridge and Bridge Pro enable Matter through a software update, so connected Hue lights and accessories, including older non-Matter ones, appear in Matter ecosystems. Hue does not use the words Matter bridge or Matter controller; a Matter Alpha certification listing describes the Bridge as a gateway device. Matter-enabled bulbs can also be paired directly without a Bridge. The Play HDMI sync box and the dial on the Tap dial switch are not supported.
Does Philips Hue (Signify) work with Alexa?
Yes, officially. Hue documents voice control and Echo-based routines. The page says a Bridge is not needed to start, and that lights can be added over Bluetooth first. It does not mention an Alexa skill or Matter. Hue's Matter guide lists the Echo models that work with a Bridge and without one.
Does Philips Hue (Signify) work with Google Home?
Yes, officially. Hue documents voice control of lights and the Hue Sync box through a Google Assistant speaker or display. The Hue Bridge is described as optional but recommended for enhanced features and Matter. Setup is done in the Google Home app.
Does Philips Hue (Signify) work with Apple Home (HomeKit)?
Yes, officially. Hue documents Apple Home and Siri voice control, plus Siri Shortcuts. An Apple TV, HomePod or iPad can act as the home hub for automations. Hue's Bridge FAQ lists HomeKit voice control among things lost without a Bridge. Direct Matter pairing with newer bulbs through Apple Home is described in Hue's Matter guide.
Does Philips Hue (Signify) work with Home Assistant?
Yes. A built-in Hue integration needs a Hue Bridge and supports lights, scenes, motion sensors and remotes. V2 (square) bridges push changes over a local event stream; the V1 round bridge is end of life with limits. A separate built-in Hue BLE integration controls Bluetooth Hue lights directly with a compatible Bluetooth adapter. Both are maintained by the Home Assistant project, not by Signify.
Does Philips Hue (Signify) work with SmartThings?
Yes, officially. Hue lists SmartThings as a supported smart home platform and says Hue lights can be added to the SmartThings app, including Hue Sync on Samsung Galaxy devices. The page does not say whether a Bridge is required. Hue's Matter guide mentions multi-admin with SmartThings when a Bridge is used.
Does Philips Hue (Signify) work with Homey?
Yes, officially. Athom publishes an official Philips Hue app that needs a Hue Bridge. It lists Homey Cloud, Homey Pro, Homey Pro mini and Homey Self-Hosted Server, and connects through the local network or a Hue cloud account. It says third-party Friends of Hue accessories might work but are not officially supported. A separate community app by Bortbytt Software pairs Hue Zigbee lights directly without a Hue Bridge, and its listing marks devices as needing a Homey Bridge.
Does Philips Hue (Signify) work with Hubitat?
Yes. Hubitat documents a Hue Bridge Integration app that brings Hue Bridge lights and groups into Hubitat. The page we read does not say which bridge versions are supported or whether it runs locally.
Answers come from the sourced table above. See how Philips Hue (Signify) compares with all brands on the smart home brand statistics page.