# Philips Hue Sync

> Sync Philips Hue lights with TV content for immersive surround lighting. (iPhone/iPad app by Signify Netherlands B.V..)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/philips-hue-sync/id1470980341 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Signify Netherlands B.V.](https://appshunter.io/developer/979064009)
- Category: Lifestyle, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 1.90/5 from 541 App Store ratings · 50 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 77 MB
- Languages: Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean and 8 more
- Released: 2019-10-14
- Data updated: 2026-06-28
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/philips-hue-sync/id1470980341/reviews.md

## What is Philips Hue Sync?

Use the Hue Sync mobile app and the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box to get lights that dance, flash, dim, and brighten with the content on your TV screen. Sync your on-screen TV content to your Philips Hue smart lights for a fast, seamless display of colorful light that responds to and reflects what you watch or listen to.  

SYNC PHILIPS HUE LIGHTS WITH YOUR HOME THEATER 
You’ve heard of surround sound, but have you heard of surround lighting? Expand your home theater to include your smart lights, which respond to the content on your TV screen. 

EASY TO INSTALL, SET UP, AND USE 
A simple setup allows you to easily connect to your Hue Bridge and use your sync box with any TV and HDMI device. Control your entertainment experience and sync box any way you want: with the app, on-product control button, any infrared TV remote, or your voice via Amazon Alexa, Siri, and the Google Assistant.

PERSONALIZE YOUR EXPERIENCE 
Use in-app controls and settings to make your entertainment experience your own. Customize sync settings by controlling the brightness and speed of the light effects. 

CHOOSE YOUR SYNC MODE 
Switch between video, game, and audio modes with the touch of a button. Choose light settings in each mode to tailor your entertainment experience even more. 

POWER ON AUTOMATICALLY 
Use the Hue Sync mobile app to set your sync box to come on automatically — or even switch input modes — when it detects that your connected HDMI device powers on.  

ADD UP TO 10 LIGHTS 
Create an Entertainment area in the original Hue app to sync up to 10 color-capable Philips Hue lights with the content on your TV screen. 

CONNECT UP TO 4 HDMI DEVICES 
The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box has four HDMI inputs, allowing you to connect multiple media devices, such as gaming consoles and streaming devices, to your Hue smart lighting setup. 

SUPPORTS HIGH-QUALITY VIDEO FORMATS The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is compatible with 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+, letting you enjoy the highest quality picture you can get at home — all while your Philips Hue smart lights sync to give you surround lighting.

HUE BRIDGE REQUIRED 
The Philips Hue Bridge acts as the middleman between your lights, the Hue Sync mobile app, and the sync box, allowing you to sync your smart lights with your TV screen for surround lighting. The sync box requires the Hue Bridge V2. 

GET AN IMMERSIVE ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCE 
Watch movies and play video games like never before with the Hue Sync mobile app and the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box. Learn more about the sync box at www.philips-hue.com/syncbox.

## Key features

- Sync lights with TV content
- Surround lighting for movies and games
- Customizable brightness and speed
- Video, game, and audio sync modes
- Automatic power-on and input switching
- Supports up to 10 lights
- Connects up to 4 HDMI devices

## What do users think of Philips Hue Sync?

Overall sentiment: negative

**Pros**

- 🚀 Great when it works
- 👍 Adds to ambience
- 👍 Easier on the eyes
- 👍 Awesome results
- 👍 Works as designed

**Cons**

- 🐛 Connectivity issues
- 🐛 Frequent disconnects
- 🐛 Setup process is frustrating
- 🐛 Unreliable connection
- 🐛 Sync issues
- 🐛 Doesn't work consistently
- 🐛 Difficult to switch Hue Bridge
- 🐛 Keeps asking to reconnect
- 🐛 Doesn't support HDMI 2.1 features
- 🐛 Forces use of 2.4GHz band
- 🐛 Choppy gradient on light strip
- 🐛 Lags occasionally
- 🐛 Doesn't turn off lights when signal stops

**Commonly reported bugs**

- Fails to download updates
- Crashes WiFi network
- Doesn't recognize HDMI inputs
- Disconnects randomly
- Loses connection to Hue Bridge

**Most requested features**

- Ability to adjust color intensity separately
- Custom color palettes for music mode
- Automated light sync at sunset
- More control over light settings
- Ability to save presets

## Recent user reviews (10 of 50)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/philips-hue-sync/id1470980341/reviews.md

### 1/5 — Don’t buy the Philip hue sync box

*2023-01-08, version 1.21*

It’s setup process is described as something simple however it is far from it.  The frustration when it fails does not out way the times it works. Yes you have the option to reach out to customer service via Facebook but they just tell you so do the same setup  process over again and again until it works. 
You can spend HOURS. Trying to get it to connect or successfully pair to your device then after of that opening app it won’t connect to your device ( I have tried on multiple devices) ( I have also had the sync box exchanged multiple times , as I had it to long to get a refund )

### 1/5 — Impossible to switch to a different Hue Bridge

*2022-11-13, version 1.21*

Ooph, this app is excruciatingly awful. I accidentally connected my Hue sync box to the wrong Hue Bridge (in part because there’s no way to tell which bridge it’s found during setup), and now, despite resetting the connection multiple times and trying the factory reset (holding down the power button while plugging it back in), I can’t get the Hue sync box to connect to the bridge to which all the lights in my entertainment area are connected. I’ve tried uninstalling the app to just start over, but I can’t seem to do this from the iPhone home screen. The coercive onboarding prompts won’t let me go back and specify a different bridge. Complete headache and a waste of an afternoon.

### 1/5 — Ruined my birthday

*2022-11-09, version 1.21*

I’ve wanted this device fore years and am a huge fan of hue. Knowing this and that I recently got a new house with tons of hue lights, someone got me this as a birthday present. While I love the lights, this box was always outside my price range considering what little it does but I was so happy to receive it. I plugged it in as soon as I got home… and the rest is history. 

The lights connected once. Then, when I next opened the app, they wouldn’t connect. So I did what only help forums said and deleted the app and reset the box. Now it won’t even connect to wifi again. 

Take this for a tech fanatic who didn’t listen to the warnings: DO NOT BUY THIS ITEM! It is a scam. You will not get it to work. It’s fundamentally flawed and has had different issues with each update as I can tell from my research. It should be illegal for them to sell this in the first place. I’m taking it back tonight. 

Thanks a lot, Phillips.

### 3/5 — Great! When it works

*2022-09-11, version 1.21*

PROS:
Great when it works. It adds to ambience and it’s easier on my eyes.  

CONS:
A recent update (?), or something, caused my unit to stop connecting to the bridge despite me going through the connection process.  It will show connected and then report ready to sync and then, almost immediately, say the unit cannot connect to the base and to ensure the devices are on the same network.  An orange dot appears then appears (again) under Settings>Switch Hue Bridge.  I’m going to reset the configuration by deleting it, uninstalling all apps, removing auth from MeetHue, and pretend it’s a new install. But why is this necessary?  I’m a huge fan of this product line despite it’s ridiculous price points and evident stability, but this is taxing.

### 2/5 — It doesn’t make sense

*2022-09-09, version 1.21*

I’ve tirelessly attempted every scenario I can think of to utilize the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box. All have failed. I’ve even contacted customer service on Twitter for assistance. Failed attempts to connect sync box to the Bridge, despite already having the connection with the Hue lights. (So, I know the bridge can be connected to) It seems like terrible support for the app that could clear up many issues. Such a shame considering how much money you have to dump on all the different gadgets to make it all work.

### 2/5 — Play HDMI Synch - Purple Screen

*2022-05-23, version 1.21*

I like the Phillips Hue ecosystem and have several of their lights. I bought the Play HDMI Synch with the Play Gradient Lightstrip, after waiting for several months for Phillips to restock, and when it is working it’s an awesome effect - just as advertised. 

However, from the time I’ve purchased it will periodically disconnect, display a purple screen briefly, then white noise, and then will “reconnect” on its own. The “video signal” will continue to play throughout this issue (i.e., video/show won’t stop when it’s disconnected/purple screen/white noise), so it has the additional frustration of missing part of the movie or show being watched.

I’ve been searching for an update or fix for this issue, but have not succeeded in this effort. For the cost, this product should work without the problems I’m experiencing. All the other Hue products have worked without issue. If I were thinking of purchasing this (new buyers), I would wait until Phillips comes out with a fix or new hardware.

Other issues include not being able to switch between different video sources. To fix this, I’ve had to turn off the Play HDMI Synch through the app, wait a few seconds, and then turn the Play HDMI Synch box back on with all the other video sources off (except the one attempting to switch too). This issue is more of an annoyance unlike the video/purple screen issue.

### 1/5 — Hue box + tv + Xbox

*2022-03-09, version 1.21*

It is just unacceptable for something to work this poorly and be sold.  the high price tag and nickel and diming is one thing- you need to buy a bridge ($60) and a sync box ($230) just to get the lightbulbs or $300 light strip to work!  I was happy to pay that because of the promise of the cool reactive light set up. 

But then you get it all in the mail. None of it works properly. I have already wasted 3-4 hours connecting and reconnecting the bridge to my WiFi network, syncing the sync box, resetting the sync box, retrying everything to get my lights to work. No end in sight. Is there any respect by this company for the time the average user will have to waste to try to get their faulty product to work? 4 hours of time is valuable beyond the large asking time. 

And to make it worse. I still don’t know if the Lightstrip works or not. When it comes on, only the first 4-5 inches of the strip actually displays lights. 

And there are 2 apps for some reason? This is a big company. Why is it acceptable to charge 1k for an entry level light set up, have hours of built in troubleshooting, and then have 2 separate apps to control it? (Philips hue app and Philips hue sync app - why aren’t these one app?)

Really really really disappointed. Just spend your money on a new tv instead.

### 1/5 — Work great for a couple months now trash

*2021-12-02, version 1.21*

Me and the rest of the world seems to have this same issue with the sync box. I read the reviews before and how everyone said this product was a nightmare. Hesitant to buy, I tested my luck and it was great! I loved it! Work for about 2 months no issues and now it can’t even connect to the Hue Bridge. Constantly getting the notification “Please make sure your Hue Bridge is on and connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the Hue Sync Box.” Bridge is hardwired and sync box has no issues connecting to the phone. But now they can’t even connect together. I reset everything and still no luck. Waste of money at this point.

### 5/5 — Nice Job and Keep up The Good Work!!!

*2021-11-26, version 1.21*

I have been thinking movies need to add a new concept called The Light Track that goes along with the Video and Audio Tracks. This is the closest thing on the Market to what I have been putting together. Great work here. The device and this app is the best start. Please keep going with this and adapting it. 

One suggestion start focusing on speed changes for different movie genres!

If you have a hues system get this app and the the hue sync device. It makes a complete video sound and light experience!

### 2/5 — Disappointed in Connectivity and Perormance

*2021-10-05, version 1.21*

Just purchased when the restock came out in the past week or two. Someone needs to debug the combination of the hardware and software in the sync and the app. The app runs then suddenly disconnects when it decides it isn’t on the same network. However, it wasn’t on the same network from the beginning. Next, rebooting the app completely doesn’t help and gives “busy cycles” as it can’t connect for about a minute before it times out. Over a few minutes, the light synchronization goes off and on sporadically. Normal full bright lights come back on, then dark colors for synch, then back to lights seemingly randomly.

If this box and app functioned ad they should this would be a 4-5 star app and hardware combo.

## Frequently asked questions about Philips Hue Sync

### Does Philips Hue Sync have ads?

The provided data does not indicate whether Philips Hue Sync contains advertisements. As it is a free application, it may include ads.

### What is the user sentiment for Philips Hue Sync?

User reviews indicate a negative overall sentiment, with common complaints including connectivity issues, frequent disconnects, and setup frustrations. Some users do praise it when it works, noting the added ambience and awesome results.

### How much does Philips Hue Sync cost?

Philips Hue Sync is available for free. However, it requires the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box and a Hue Bridge V2, which are separate hardware purchases.

### What devices is Philips Hue Sync compatible with?

Philips Hue Sync is designed for use with the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box and requires a Hue Bridge V2. The app itself is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

### How often is Philips Hue Sync updated?

The latest version of Philips Hue Sync is 1.21, which was released on May 6, 2021. The app was initially released on October 14, 2019.

### What video formats does the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box support?

The Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box is compatible with high-quality video formats including 4K, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+. This ensures your smart lights can sync with the best possible picture quality.

### Can I connect multiple devices to the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box?

Yes, the Philips Hue Play HDMI Sync Box features four HDMI inputs, allowing you to connect multiple media devices such as gaming consoles and streaming devices to your Philips Hue smart lighting setup.

### What are the main issues users report with Philips Hue Sync?

Users frequently report connectivity issues, frequent disconnects, and a frustrating setup process. Other common complaints include unreliable connections, sync issues, and the app repeatedly asking to reconnect.

## Version history (last 1 release)

### 1.21 — 2021-05-06

Various bug fixes and stability improvements.

## Apps similar to Philips Hue Sync

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All apps by Signify Netherlands B.V.: https://appshunter.io/developer/979064009

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-28.*