August 21, 2023, 10:42 am | Read time: 2 minutes
Ikea has steadily expanded its smart home offerings in recent years. Now, the furniture manufacturer announces a particularly valuable update that will enable remote access to the respective devices. This means, for example, that you can control the lighting at home even while on vacation. Read more about it at TECHBOOK.
Smart lamps, motion detectors, light switches–Ikea has gradually upgraded its smart home capabilities. Additionally, the furniture giant regularly conducts updates to elevate usability and convenience to the highest possible level. However, customers have had to wait longer for one feature: remote access, allowing them to control their smart Ikea home technology while on the go. This feature now appears to be finally available.
Also interesting: Ikea now sells wall art that plays music
Finally, Remote Access to Ikea’s Smart Home
Users control their smart home-connected devices via an app, which now receives an update that unlocks this new feature. Ikea calls it the “Control Anywhere” function. It is designed to allow access even when you’re not at home, such as when you’re on your way there or on vacation. Previously, controlling the Ikea smart home was only possible from the home Wi-Fi.
However, even though this valuable update is being widely reported, for many users, everything remains the same for now.
Update Not Yet Available Everywhere
It should also be noted: It’s still Ikea and not a technology company specifically specialized in smart homes. Otherwise, everything might be even more automated and simpler. A hub is necessary to use Ikea’s smart devices. This hub received an update last year, as reported by TECHBOOK. At that time, Ikea announced that remote access for its in-house smart home system would be possible by 2023. The furniture company is now fulfilling this promise–but only for those customers using the updated Dirigera hub. The update does nothing for users of the now outdated Tradfri hub.
Additionally, whether the update is available for your home technology depends on where you live. Ikea announced it in its app store description for the UK; however, the “Control Anywhere” feature does not yet seem to have arrived in Germany. So, we still have to be patient, but the corresponding update shouldn’t take too long to arrive here either. In the meantime, some “bug fixes” are said to have been made.