7 must-install add-ons for Home Assistant – Home Assistant step-by-step tutorial EP 12

Add-ons are added to the Home Assistant core system to expand functions not found in the basic Home Assistant system. The 7 add-ons introduced today are all add-ons that I have used myself and think are very useful. It is highly recommended that you install them first as soon as you start Home Assistant. This will definitely help you get twice the result with half the effort!


Google Drive Backup: HA hangs? Just Rollback!

Home Assistant will have backup options during system updates and various add-on updates. Of course, you can also manually perform backups. However, using Google Drive Backup will definitely make it easier for you. You no longer have to worry about forgetting to make a backup when the system needs to be restarted. There is no need to reset all devices when resetting. When you need to update and upgrade the host one day in the future, you only need to select the most recent backup file to restore directly, and all the devices will be online again. Isn’t it so easy!

Refer to the following tutorial and install Google Drive Backup immediately!


Samba share: Throw files from various devices to Home Assistant!

附加元件:Samba share

Samba share allows you to easily transfer files to the Home Assistant host from different computers (Mac, Windows, ChromeOS...etc). Without Samba share, you may need to plug and unplug a USB flash drive or other methods. Place some necessary files into Home Assistant.

exist Floor plan Visual floor plan Dashboard During the implementation process, you need to put a large number of pictures into Home Assistant. At this time, the Samba share add-on will make it much easier for you! After the computer has prepared all the files, you can directly connect to Home Assistant through Samba share. Then just like moving files normally, put the files you want to put into Home Assistant into the corresponding folder and you're done!


Studio Code Server: The best program editor in HAOS, bar none!

附加元件:Studio Code Server

Occasionally when using Home Assistant, you will inevitably need to adjust the YAML code. At this time, having "Studio Code Server" will make it much more convenient for you. "Studio Code Server" basically directly installs VSCode (Visual Studio Code) that can usually be installed on your computer. Ported to Home Assistant, VSCode is a program editor with a high market share. It has various community-developed Extensions and debug tools to make it more convenient for you to adjust the program code!

"Code coloring" allows you to crawl code faster, "Autocomplete" speeds up editing, "Syntax error checking" reduces grammatical errors... and other convenient functions, whether you want to edit programs in Home Assistant or a regular computer It is recommended for all coders to try VSCode.


Matter Server: Your smart home will definitely use Matter!

附加元件:Matter Server

Matter is an emerging communication standard in the smart home field. In recent years, more and more devices that support Matter connection have been launched. If you choose to use Home Assistant as your smart home hub, you definitely want to be able to use various brands of smart home devices without restrictions. , then you can’t miss Matter Server! Installing Matter Server will allow you to painlessly access all Matter devices, and you will have more things to buy🤣

If you use Docker to install Home Assistant, you may need to install Matter Server yourself. You can refer toOfficial GitHub description.


Terminal & SSH: Chances are rare, but you’ll definitely need it!

附加元件:Terminal & SSH

As an OS (operating system), Home Assistant inevitably needs to use the terminal (or command line tool) to perform some special things in a few cases. Frankly speaking, since I am not from an information background, I basically don’t know how to do it. I haven’t tried Terminal for anything. I only use it when copying other people’s homework when performing some special operations. For example, I will use Terminal when installing HACS to be introduced below 👍


HACS: Make Home Assistant even more powerful!

附加元件:HACS

The full name of HACS is Home Assistant Community Store, which is a platform that allows developers to publish self-made packages and plug-ins, and allows general users to install these customized packages.

As an open source platform, Home Assistant originally has limited built-in functions and add-ons. At this time, through HACS, you can add the packages created by all Home Assistant enthusiasts and developers in the world, making Home Assistant greatly expandable and convenient. promote.

However, this also comes with some risks. These kits (or plug-ins, add-ons) listed on HACS have not been officially certified by Home Assistant, which means there may be concerns about safety or compatibility, so When installing packages in HACS, it is best to choose a package that is used by more people and updated more frequently, which will be more secure.


Zigbee2MQTT and Mosquitto broker: the most recommended connection methods for smart home devices!

附加元件:Zigbee2MQTT
附加元件:Mosquitto broker

Almost 80% of the smart home devices in my home are connected via Zigbee, and Zigbee is also one of my most recommended device connection methods (other than Matter).

So if you are new to smart home or Home Assistant, it is highly recommended that you install Zigbee2MQTT and Mosquitto broker to connect to Zigbee devices. Although the installation steps are a bit complicated, don't worry! The operation tutorial has been prepared for you:


Start building your Home Assistant smart home!

The 7 must-install add-ons recommended for you today are the top priority for Home Assistant. Hurry up and install them all into your Home Assistant!

Leave a message and share your results with me! Recommendations for other add-ons are also welcome!

2 COMMENTS
  1. Hello~ I don’t know if you use Xiaomi devices?
    I have installed HACS and also downloaded Xiaomi Miot Auto in HACS
    But I can’t find it in the add-on store and I don’t know what the problem is ~

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recent discussions
  • Neil 2025/05/29Hi Husn, I recommend using Zigbee or Matter for connection! Zigbee accesses HA through Z2M, Matter directly accesses, and WiFi accesses HA through Tuya, which is more troublesome. It is also recommended to find a rectangular one, because generally a small round smart socket inserted into a double socket will compress the space of the other socket.The Ultimate Guide to the Smart Home in 2025! – SMART HOME EP 6
  • Husn 2025/05/29I would like to ask you one more question. I want to use a smart socket to control traditional mechanical home appliances (electric fans). If it is Tuya's small round smart socket, can it be connected to HA? I see that it uses WIFI, or is it better to find one with MATTER? Thank you very much for your guidance.The Ultimate Guide to the Smart Home in 2025! – SMART HOME EP 6
  • Neil 2025/05/24Hi Andy, your understanding is correct. When the switch is turned off, the lamp will be disconnected directly. There are two ways to do this: 1. Replace the switch with a smart switch that supports the "decoupling" function, that is, the button and the relay can be separated, so that the lamp is always powered, and then the switch and lamp are linked through the smart central system. 2. [The switch must have a neutral wire] In the switch box, connect the live wire to the control wire (the control wire does not enter the switch) to change the lamp and switch from series to parallel, so that the lamp is always powered, and then set the switch in the smart central system to link the lamp★ If you are not sure about the wiring, it is recommended to find a professional plumber to handle it!A complete analysis of smart home lighting control solutions: smart switches, smart bulbs, smart relays, there is always one that suits you!
  • Andy 2025/05/24Sorry, I want to ask Neil a very basic question. Currently, we all use HomeKit. The switch has been replaced with a green-silver smart switch. Will there be any problems if the bulb is replaced with a smart bulb? After all, when the switch is turned off, the light should be disconnected directly. Will it show no response in HomeKit? Or can it be avoided by setting it as a group with other accessories? Thank you. I want to keep the position of the physical switch, but also want to control the light color and brightness. I hope you can give me some guidance.A complete analysis of smart home lighting control solutions: smart switches, smart bulbs, smart relays, there is always one that suits you!
  • raja 2025/05/24This article is written in great detail and is very helpful for those who want to get started with smart home! Looking forward to your follow-up tutorials, thank you for sharing!Home Assistant installation steps detailed, quickly build a smart home – step-by-step tutorial EP 1
  • Neil 2025/05/23Hi Husn, looks like there is a chance: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1UyoRxwx7q/The Ultimate Guide to the Smart Home in 2025! – SMART HOME EP 6
  • Husn 2025/05/23Excuse me, but I have to ask again, is there any chance to achieve dual voice control? Can I use Xiao Ai or OK GOOGLE? In addition, because the Xiao Ai speaker I use has an infrared remote control function, if this part is changed to GOOGLE, is there any way to control it? Thank you very much for your answer!The Ultimate Guide to the Smart Home in 2025! – SMART HOME EP 6
  • Neil 2025/05/23Hi Husn, 1. Voice control: You can use Google Nest Hub for voice control. I am currently using Google Nest Audio. HA settings are in "Settings > Voice Assistant > Google Assistant" 2. Mijia and HA automation conflict: If the same automation is set in both systems, or both systems have automations to operate the same device, there may be conflicts. It is recommended to move all automations to HA management, once and for allThe Ultimate Guide to the Smart Home in 2025! – SMART HOME EP 6
  • Husn 2025/05/23Hello Neil, thank you very much for sharing. I have learned a lot. I would like to ask you a question. I have successfully set up HA with VM on NAS recently. I have also connected Xiaomi products to HA, but I still use Xiaoai for voice control. Is there any way to change this part to Siri or Google home products? For example, Google Nest Hub. I also want to ask, because I used Mijia to set up the automation before, and I still do, so if I switch to HA for setting up, will there be a conflict with Mijia?? Sorry, I have so many questions, thank you for your answers in advanceThe Ultimate Guide to the Smart Home in 2025! – SMART HOME EP 6
  • Neil 2025/05/21Hi Nichole, Home Assistant and Apple Homekit are different systems, so they don’t need to be the same account. If you want to connect a device that has been set up in Homekit to Home Assistant, you can Google to check “Homekit cannot be connected to Home Assistant”Home Assistant installation steps detailed, quickly build a smart home – step-by-step tutorial EP 1
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