ESPHome Device Auto Bulk Update

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ESPHome Device Auto Bulk Update

A blueprint that automatically handles ESPHome device firmware updates so you don’t have to. Rather than relying on the ESPHome add-on’s built-in “Update All” button which can be unreliable, this automation monitors your devices and handles updates on a schedule within a time window you define.

:raised_hand_with_fingers_splayed: Usage

  1. Enable firmware update entities for each ESPHome device — Settings → Devices & Services → ESPHome → Your Device → Enable the Firmware Update entity
  2. Import the Blueprint
    Import Blueprint
  3. Create an Automation from the imported Blueprint
    Open Blueprints
  4. Configure the sliders and options to your preference — no YAML editing required

:sparkles: Features

  • Triggers automatically when a set number of devices have pending updates
  • Daily sweep at the start of your update window catches anything missed outside the window
  • Actionable notification sent before updates begin listing all affected devices by name
  • Update Now button to skip the delay and update immediately
  • Cancel button to abort if the timing isn’t convenient
  • Choice of updating all devices at once or sequentially one at a time
  • Configurable delay between sequential updates
  • Completion notification confirms how many devices were updated and which ones
  • Cooldown period prevents the automation re-triggering immediately after updates complete

:wrench: Requirements

  • ESPHome integration installed and configured
  • Home Assistant Companion App installed on your notification device
  • Device firmware update entities must be enabled for each ESPHome device

:gear: Flow

  1. Triggers when device update count exceeds the threshold, or daily sweep at the start of the time window
  2. Checks the time window and device count conditions are met
  3. Sends a notification listing devices to be updated with Update Now and Cancel buttons
  4. Waits for the delay period listening for a button response
  5. If Cancel is tapped — sends a cancellation notification and stops
  6. If Update Now is tapped or delay expires — proceeds with updates (Notification remains open so Cancel remains active)
  7. Updates all devices at once or sequentially depending on mode selected
  8. Sends a completion notification listing updated devices
  9. Waits out the cooldown period before the automation can trigger again
blueprint:
  name: ESPHome Device Auto Bulk Update
  description: |
    Automatically updates ESPHome devices when a specified number of them
    have pending updates. Optionally sends a notification before updating.
    DEVICE FIRMWARE ENTITIES MUST BE ENABLED
    FLOW:
    1. Triggers when device update count exceeds the threshold, or daily sweep at the start of the time window.
    2. Checks the time window and device count conditions are met.
    3. Sends a notification listing devices to be updated with Update Now and Cancel buttons.
    4. Waits for the delay period listening for a button response.
    7. If Cancel is tapped - sends a cancellation notification and stops.
    8. If Update Now is tapped or delay expires - proceeds with updates.
    9. Updates all devices at once or sequentially depending on mode selected.
    10. Sends a completion notification listing updated devices.
    11. Waits out the cooldown period before the automation can trigger again.
  domain: automation
  source_url: https://github.com/bferd/homeassistant-blueprints/blob/main/esphome_auto_bulk_update.yaml
  input:
    update_threshold:
      name: Device Update Threshold
      description: How many devices need a pending update before updates are pushed.
      default: 1
      selector:
        number:
          min: 1
          max: 20
          step: 1
          mode: slider
    update_delay:
      name: Delay Before Updating
      description: How many minutes to wait before pushing updates.
      default: 30
      selector:
        number:
          min: 0
          max: 60
          step: 1
          mode: slider
          unit_of_measurement: minutes
    cooldown:
      name: Cooldown After Update
      description: Minutes to wait after updates complete before the automation can trigger again.
      default: 30
      selector:
        number:
          min: 0
          max: 120
          step: 1
          mode: slider
          unit_of_measurement: minutes
    time_window_start:
      name: Update Window Start
      description: Earliest time of day updates can be triggered.
      default: "08:00:00"
      selector:
        time:
    time_window_end:
      name: Update Window End
      description: Latest time of day updates can be triggered.
      default: "21:00:00"
      selector:
        time:
    notify_device:
      name: Notification Device
      description: Device to notify before updates are pushed.
      selector:
        device:
          integration: mobile_app
    update_mode:
      name: Update Mode
      description: Update all devices at once or one at a time sequentially.
      default: "all_at_once"
      selector:
        select:
          options:
            - label: "All at once"
              value: "all_at_once"
            - label: "One at a time (Sequential)"
              value: "sequential"
    sequential_delay:
      name: Delay Between Sequential Updates
      description: Minutes to wait between each device when using sequential mode.
      default: 0
      selector:
        number:
          min: 0
          max: 10
          step: 1
          mode: slider
          unit_of_measurement: minutes

variables:
  update_threshold: !input update_threshold
  update_delay: !input update_delay
  cooldown: !input cooldown
  update_mode: !input update_mode
  sequential_delay: !input sequential_delay
  device_list: >
    {{ expand(integration_entities('esphome'))
       | selectattr("entity_id", "contains", "update")
       | selectattr("state", "eq", "on")
       | map(attribute='entity_id') | list }}
  device_names: >
    {{ expand(integration_entities('esphome'))
       | selectattr("entity_id", "contains", "update")
       | selectattr("state", "eq", "on")
       | map(attribute='name') | join(', ') }}
  device_count: >
    {{ expand(integration_entities('esphome'))
       | selectattr("entity_id", "contains", "update")
       | selectattr("state", "eq", "on")
       | list | count }}
trigger:
  - platform: template
    value_template: >
      {{ expand(integration_entities('esphome'))
         | selectattr("entity_id", "contains", "update")
         | selectattr("state", "eq", "on")
         | list | count > update_threshold }}
  - platform: time
    at: !input time_window_start

condition:
  - condition: time
    after: !input time_window_start
    before: !input time_window_end
  - condition: template
    value_template: >
      {{ expand(integration_entities('esphome'))
         | selectattr("entity_id", "contains", "update")
         | selectattr("state", "eq", "on")
         | list | count > update_threshold }}
action:
  - domain: mobile_app
    type: notify
    device_id: !input notify_device
    title: "ESPHome Device Update(s)"
    message: >
      {{ device_count }} device(s) need updating: {{ device_names }}.
      Updates will begin in {{ update_delay }} minute(s).
    data:
      sticky: "true"
      persistent: "true"
      actions:
        - action: "UPDATE_NOW_ESPHOME"
          title: "Update Now"
        - action: "CANCEL_ESPHOME_UPDATE"
          title: "Cancel"

  - wait_for_trigger:
      - platform: event
        event_type: mobile_app_notification_action
        event_data:
          action: "CANCEL_ESPHOME_UPDATE"
      - platform: event
        event_type: mobile_app_notification_action
        event_data:
          action: "UPDATE_NOW_ESPHOME"
    timeout:
      minutes: "{{ update_delay }}"
    continue_on_timeout: true

  - if:
      - condition: template
        value_template: >
          {{ wait.trigger is not none and
             wait.trigger.event.data.action == 'CANCEL_ESPHOME_UPDATE' }}
    then:
      - domain: mobile_app
        type: notify
        device_id: !input notify_device
        title: "ESPHome Update Cancelled"
        message: "ESPHome device updates have been cancelled."
    else:
      - if:
          - condition: template
            value_template: "{{ update_mode == 'sequential' }}"
        then:
          - repeat:
              for_each: "{{ device_list }}"
              sequence:
                - action: update.install
                  continue_on_error: true
                  data: {}
                  target:
                    entity_id: "{{ repeat.item }}"
                - delay:
                    minutes: "{{ 0 if repeat.last else sequential_delay }}"
        else:
          - action: update.install
            continue_on_error: true
            data: {}
            target:
              entity_id: "{{ device_list }}"

      - domain: mobile_app
        type: notify
        device_id: !input notify_device
        title: "ESPHome Updates Complete"
        message: >
          {{ device_count }} device(s) have been updated: {{ device_names }}.
      - delay:
          minutes: "{{ cooldown }}"

mode: single

:bulb: Tips, Tricks and Gotchas

  • If you accidentally dismiss the notification without tapping a button, the automation will wait out the full delay and then proceed with updates automatically
  • On Android, if the action buttons are not visible try long pressing or expanding the notification
  • On iOS, action buttons require a long press on the notification to reveal them
  • Sequential mode is gentler on your network and the ESPHome add-on — recommended if you have many devices
  • If an update fails on one device in sequential mode, the automation will continue to the next device thanks to continue_on_error
  • Make sure your update window is wide enough to accommodate the delay + total update time for all your devices

:hammer: Changelog

  • 2026-03-20: Initial release
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