Philips Hue app gets four improvements in new update

The Philips Hue app version 5.53 is now available for users of the brand’s smart home products. This latest release for iOS and Android is the second in recent weeks, following the version 5.52 update which added the ability to export scenes to Apple Home over Matter, and brought support for the new Hue Secure Wired video doorbell (curr. $169.99 at Amazon).

With the Philips Hue app version 5.53 comes an improvement for users of the Hue Bridge Pro, making it easier to access your MotionAware areas. As a reminder, MotionAware allows groups of smart lights to act as motion sensors. Your MotionAware areas can now be found in the Settings tab, with new areas created via the three-dot menu in a room or zone. The second optimization is for users with switches or sensors. If these accessories cannot be reached, you can find reconnection instructions from the device’s settings screen.

Two further changes, not listed in the release notes, have also been spotted by Hueblog.com. The first is the already announced Room View enhancement, allowing users to view switches, sensors, cameras and MotionAware areas in each room. These join the existing lists of lights and scenes in the Room View. Secondly, there is a new privacy zone function for users of the Hue Secure Video Doorbell with a Plus plan, meaning you can blackout an area of the image.

Users can now download the Philips Hue app version 5.53 from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.