How switch programming works
When you press a button on a Hue switch, your Hue Bridge announces the press. While HueCommand is open and connected to the bridge on your home network, it hears that announcement and runs the action you assigned to that button and press type.
Your button settings are saved in HueCommand on your device. They are not written to the Hue Bridge, and HueCommand doesn't change what the switch already does in the official Hue app. That has two consequences worth knowing before you set it up:
- HueCommand has to be running. If the app is closed, or your device is away from home, a programmed press does nothing extra.
- The switch's own behavior still happens. If a button already turns on a room in the Hue app, it keeps doing that, and HueCommand's action runs as well. For the cleanest result, program presses that have nothing assigned in the Hue app, or pick actions that agree with it.
This makes switch programming a good fit for a device that stays open on the home network, such as a Mac with HueCommand open, or an iPad kept on screen with the display awake. On iPhone and iPad, locking the screen or switching apps stops HueCommand from listening. Switch programming requires Pro.
Three press types per button
Each button can have a separate action for each of these:
- Short Press: a quick tap.
- Long Press: press and hold, runs when you let go.
- Double Press: two quick taps.
The button list shows the last thing each button reported, such as Tap, Long Press or Double Tap, which helps you check which button is which.
Actions you can assign
| Action | Target | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Toggle Room | A room | Turns the room on if it's off, or off if it's on |
| Activate Scene | A scene | Activates the scene |
| Set Brightness | A room | Sets the room to 50 percent brightness |
The brightness level for Set Brightness is fixed at 50 percent. For a different level, save a scene at that brightness and use Activate Scene.
Which switches work
Any device on your Hue Bridge that reports button presses shows its buttons in HueCommand, numbered as the bridge reports them. If HueCommand can't find buttons on a device, it says "No buttons detected on this device."
Only button presses are handled. Dials and rotary controls are not programmable in HueCommand.
With more than one bridge
If you use multiple bridges (Pro), HueCommand keeps each bridge's button settings separate, so two switches on different bridges never overwrite each other.
Frequently asked questions
Do programmed buttons work when HueCommand is closed?
No. HueCommand runs the action when it sees the button press, so the app needs to be open and connected to your bridge on the home network. The switch's own Hue settings keep working regardless.
Does HueCommand change my switch settings on the Hue Bridge?
No. Your HueCommand button actions are stored in the app on your device. Whatever the switch does in the official Hue app continues to happen.
Can I set an exact brightness for a button?
The Set Brightness action always sets a room to 50 percent. For any other level, save a scene and assign it with Activate Scene.
Is switch programming free?
No. Switch programming requires Pro in HueCommand (listed on the App Store as Command for Philips Hue).
Can I program the dial on a Hue Tap Dial?
No. HueCommand handles button presses only, not dial rotation.