But not to worry — thanks to the fact that the Hue API is open to third-party developers, there’s a new tool called Hue Widget that helps streamline the process a bit.
Once installed, the Hue Widget allows you to switch your lights on from the iOS Notification Center. This basically reduces the number of steps required to make things happen. Instead of unlocking your phone and navigating to the app, you can just swipe up from the bottom of the screen and hit a button. The interface is pretty bare-bones, but it still offers access to the Hue App’s most crucial functions — flipping lights on or off, adjusting brightness, and even activating preset lighting scenes.
The app is currently live and available for download in the App Store, but you’ll need to be running iOS 8 in order to install and use it. Unfortunately, iOS 7 doesn’t support widgets, so if you’re still rocking apple’s older OS, you’ll need to upgrade.
Editors' Recommendations
- How to turn your old phone into a security camera
- The best iPhone apps (July 2020)
- How to track a phone using Android or iOS
- The best Philips Hue deals and Philips Hue Starter Kit deals for July 2020
- How to take your own passport photo
