Add a method of replacing devices

Feature Requests
8

Device Replacement (swap out) Wizard

PROBLEM: Light bulbs burn out. Switches and sensors break. I buy a new cell phone every few years!

SOLUTION: I want a wizard to replace an existing sensor with another one. The wizard needs to update / edit the exiting automations. It should replace the old device references / usage inside automations with the new device.

E.G. I have a rule turning a light bulb on 1/2 hour before sun-set. The light bulb dies. I buy a replacement. I want a way to replace / swap / exchange at the device level. This should;

  1. New wizard asks to backup the system.
  2. New wizard shows you a list of all automations it will update. It asks — Should I continue replacing old device name with new device name? [Y/N]
  3. Put the new device into the same room as the old device
  4. Update all existing automations to use the new device
  5. Remove the old device from automation.
  6. Move the old device to “unassigned” room.
  7. Bonus Points: HA asks the admin — Should Home Assistant delete device? [Y/N]
  8. Bonus Points: Rename new device name to the old device name
3 Likes
9

Having had to replace a device or two lately, I would love if there was a much easier way to do it. Any updates on this?

10

Nope. Only this informal advice: Why and how to avoid device_ids in automations and scripts

11

Sounds as if you’re using device ids in automations - could I ask why? Genuine question - a lot of people do and I must be missing something because I just don’t see the advantage (except maybe for physical buttons).

12

Honestly been using HA for 3 weeks. Don’t know if there is any alternative… My guess is lack of knowledge. What is your suggestion for device ID alternatives?

13

Entity states. Why have this:

trigger: 
  - type: battery_level
    platform: device
    device_id: 16fbcd84302f4606819c58559aa90c82
    entity_id: 6c2e634686ebe58e571fefcdd6474f22
    domain: sensor
    below: 20

When you could have this:

trigger:
  - platform: numeric_state
    entity_id: sensor.mobile_battery_level
    below: "20"

There’s a community guide about it.

14

You are right. I am using entity_id: sensor.airvisual_pro_619s_carbon_dioxide it was something like sensor.airvisual_pro_mainflo_carbon_dioxide. Again, I would like a global search and replace for the old / new device

15

Then start your own feature request because that is not what this one is about.

16

That already exists in the VSCode addon.

17

Okay please re open Add a method of replacing devices

1 Like
18

You linked to this topic. It is open.

19

Sorry :blush:

20

Tom was referring to opening a feature requrest for this phrase

which is an entity, not device. EDIT: Didn’t mean to increase the size of this text.

Your other FR is a duplicate of this FR. Please understand the distinction. Entities are not the same as devices.

1 Like
21

When adding a new device it would be cool to override the old device and or have the option to delete the old ones from your devices and entities. For example, I get a new phone but I cant just integrate it directly to my automations unless I delete or rename my old phones entities first. Another example would be if you change our your light switches from different brands you have to currently modify entity names and or automations

1 Like
22

This is the one feature I really miss from hubitat, easy device swap.

23

Hi,
An easy task for a programmer, and a hard task for a frontend newbie. So IMHO a must have, if more people should be able to use HA.

Juergen

24

I used this in Hubitat so often when needing to switch devices out. Surely it couldn’t be that hard. A find and replace script? If I knew programming I would love to tackle this… but I don’t :frowning:

25

Is there any news about it? In fact, a device has died and I have to replace it.

1 Like
26

Same here…its a real drag when devices just die and need replacing.
Somewhat surprised this is not being asked for by more users of HA.

1 Like
27

I’m evaluating home assistant since a day, trying to move out of jeedom. That feature is really flagged as MUST HAVE in my list.
I’m surprised it’s not there day 1. Does it really need a vote?
I have more 15 years of experience and yeah devices die :smiley:. So I used a lot that feature from jeedom. Pick device Y, says this replace device X and all scripts/automations related to X are updated automatically from X to Y. No question.
Optionally you can ask to copy history from X to Y as an additional step.
Extremely convenient
Will wait for that feature before switching.
BTW home assistant seems brilliant. Great work!