Using my RPi to relay Bluetooth tracking to my HA

Hardware
1

Hi

Currently using an RPi 3b+ to host my HA, but starting to find it a little slow and even though I backup my config nightly, I’d like a more robust solution.

I’d like to move my HA to a VM, but then of course I’d lose Bluetooth tracking; something I rely on.

So, I’d like to repurpose the RPi to run my Pi-hole, but I’d also like to keep using its Bluetooth tracking abilities… just wondering how I get started with this?

Any help appreciated, thanks.

2

If you search for “monitor”, you can install that on your pi. And MQTT to send to Your HA system. That’s exactly how I do it.

1 Like
3

I’m using Bluetooth tracking with HA installed on a VM (VirtualBox). I’m using a USB bluetooth adapter, and just had to make it accessible to the VM in the settings.

4

You have the following options, besides what @michaelblight already suggested:

  1. Run another stripped down version of home assistant on your Pi, and create an automation to forward all changes to tracked devices via MQTT/HTTP to your primary one.
  2. Use MQTT EventStream
  3. Use roomassistant on your Pi

There are others, less used, options as well.

5

For simple device / presence detection I went with a Pi Zero:

It’s very simple but I still find it useful.