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There are many ways to make the most of old devices that we no longer use. For example, I have a couple of Fire tablets that are older than me turned into Echo Shows for my home use. However, one of the best uses for an old tablet is to turn it into a smart home control panel. In fact, it’s one of the easiest and most affordable upgrades you can make to your home.
Also: I Tried All the ‘Allergy-Friendly’ Smart Home Gadgets: These 6 Actually Keep Pollen Out
If you have a lot of smart lights, plugs, switches, and other devices, you’ll probably benefit from adding a control panel to manage them all from one place. Setting up an old tablet as a central control center not only breathes new life into the device, but also gives you a hub that anyone in the house can access.
How to use an old tablet as a smart home screen
What you need: an old tablet, a charging cable, a wall mount (optional) or a stand (optional).
The intelligent home automation system which you choose will act as the brain that controls your devices. It will also be the platform you use on your tablet-turned-dashboard to manage your smart home.
You probably already have a favorite smart home automation system, especially if you already have a smart home set up, but here’s a comparison of the most popular options:
- House helper: This open source option offers maximum control over your dashboard, devices and automations. It’s the best choice for advanced users and smart home enthusiasts who enjoy tinkering to make the system work the way they want. It works locally and is super fast, so your devices respond reliably to Home Assistant. This is also one of the most compatible smart home systems available, so you can combine devices from different brands under one controller, even if not all of them are compatible with Matter.
- Amazon Alexa: Alexa is one of the most reliable and responsive voice assistants, a top choice for beginners and smart home users who enjoy voice control. Works with the Alexa app, Echo devicesand, more recently, online at Alexa.com. With the recent release of Alexa+, it’s also a generative voice assistant with artificial intelligence, so you can give it more complex commands, like turning off multiple types of devices in a single request.
- Apple Home: This is the platform of choice for many iPhone users. If you’re big on the Apple ecosystem, it’s a great choice. It is also the best choice for people who value privacy. Apple Home is known for its clean user interface, but its strong focus on privacy also makes it a walled garden. However, you can use Matter devices with Apple Home, which opens up compatibility that was previously very limited.
- Google Home: A great choice for Android ecosystems, it offers simple controls that are easy to find and use, and a clean interface. Google Home also has Gemini for Home, its generative voice assistant with artificial intelligence. However, you need a subscription to use all the best features. Google Home is a great option if you use a lot of Nest devices, but it’s also compatible with Matter, so you don’t have to limit yourself to “Works with Google” devices.
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You can set your tablet’s screen to never turn off or as long as possible before going to sleep. Android Developer Options allow you to set the tablet to stay awake while charging.
Note that if this device is permanently in one place, you will need to leave it plugged in.
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If you want to keep your tablet locked to a single app, like Google Home or Apple Home, you can turn on Guided Access on your iPad or use an Android app like Fully kiosk browser or WallPanel. Using these prevents other users from leaving the home automation application or browser of your choice. They also automatically launch the smart home app so you can see your dashboard when the tablet wakes up.
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After resetting your device and adding the Smart Home Entertainment Systems app, it’s time to set up your home view. Note that if you’re using an iPad, Apple Home is already installed, and if you’re using an Android tablet, you probably already have Google Home installed after formatting your tablet.
Also: The latest Google Home update brings Gemini fixes that I’m excited to try again
Open your smart home app and set up your landing page or dashboard. This is what you will see when you approach the tablet. Add your favorite devices to the landing page so you can easily control them as you approach. For example, this can include smart lights, a smart thermostat, security cameras and smart locks. You can also add shortcuts to scenes and routines.
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If you plan to wall mount your tablet, you can choose from wall mount options, magnetic mounts, or any compatible option for your specific tablet. For an even more perfect look, you can put a hidden charging cable in the wall.
You can also put it on a simple stand on your kitchen counter, for example, or on an entryway table, so you can grab it as needed.
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Can I use Home Assistant on a tablet?
Yes, you can set up a Home Assistant panel on a tablet to act as a control panel. Home Assistant lets you customize dashboards and organize your devices almost any way you want, which is great for getting a quick overview of your smart home.
Can my smart panel tablet be the only control method for my home?
I would strongly advise against making the tablet the only control method for your smart home, as this can cause problems if the tablet is dropped (for whatever reason). Keep your smart home system app on your phone to control it.
Plus, a tablet isn’t a hub, so leave your speakers and smart hubs running while you use your tablet as a way to quickly control your favorite devices.
Where should I put my smart home panel?
Place your smart home panel where you use it most to control your devices. This can be in your kitchen to act as the main panel for everyone in the house, or in your entryway to run quick scenes and control locks.
I keep one on the stairwell wall in our house so that I or anyone else in the house can easily control lights and other devices as they go up or down at night.
