# Thunderstorm for Hue — Rain and lightning effects > Philips Hue light controller for simulating thunderstorms with customizable effects and sounds. (iPhone/iPad app by Scott Dodson.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-for-hue/id1126491070 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Scott Dodson](https://appshunter.io/developer/1033778296) - Category: Entertainment - Price: $2.99 - Age rating: 12+ - Requires: iOS 13.0.0 · 74 MB - Languages: American English - Released: 2016-06-22 - Data updated: 2026-08-31 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-for-hue/id1126491070/reviews.md ## What is Thunderstorm for Hue? Summon a thunderstorm light show using your Philips Hue lights. Watch your lights pulse and flash to the sounds of a storm.* *Hue Bridge or Hue Bridge Pro required THUNDERSTORMS • Strong Thunderstorm — Heavy rain with frequent lightning and thunder nearby Lights pulse quickly to the sound of heavy rain. Booming sounds of thunder accompany bright flashes of light. • Normal Thunderstorm — Steady rain with a full range of lightning and thunder Lights pulse to the sound of rain. The sound of thunder can be heard from various distances. The closer the lightning, the louder the sound, and the brighter the flashes of light! • Weak Thunderstorm — Light rain with occasional lightning and thunder far off Lights pulse slowly to the sound of light rain. Dim flashes of light are followed by soft sounds of thunder. • Passing Thunderstorms — Rain and lightning intensity changes as the storms pass Lights pulse and flash at different rates to correspond with the current strength of the storm. SETTINGS Sky • Change the base color and brightness of your lights Rain • Toggle rain sound effects • Change rain audio: Default, Heavy, Steady, Light, On Tin Roof • Change rain volume • Toggle rain light effects • Change rain pulse rate: Default, Slow, Medium, Fast • Target lights for rain light effects • Change rain transition effects: Pulse, Fade Quickly, Fade Slowly • Change color and brightness of rain light effects Lightning/Thunder • Toggle thunder sound effects • Change thunder volume • Change delay lightning (Wireless audio delay offset) • Toggle delay thunder • Toggle lightning light effects • Target lights for lightning light effects • Change lightning transition effects: Random, Flicker, Flash, Pulse, Fade Quickly, Fade Slowly • Change lightning/thunder occurrence: Default, Never, Occasional, Normal, Frequent, Unreal • Change color and max brightness of lightning light effects Passing Thunderstorms • Change starting storm for Passing Thunderstorms: Weak, Normal, Strong • Change cycle time for Passing Thunderstorms: 15m, 30m, 60m Background Sounds • Toggle background sounds: Birds, Cicadas, Crickets, Frogs • Change background sounds volume General • Change default end state: On, Off, Revert • Change sleep end state: On, Off, Revert • Select mode to automatically start when app opens • Choose time to automatically stop selected mode • Choose time to automatically restart selected mode when sleep timer ends, enabling recurring cycle LIGHTS / GROUPS Select one or more lights for your thunderstorm light show on the Lights/Groups tab. Choose a group that you set up using the Philips Hue app, or create a new zone in the Thunderstorm for Hue app. To edit a zone in the list, swipe the item to the left and tap the pencil icon. When you add, remove, or change lights, pull down the list to refresh. ADDITIONAL FEATURES • Lightning on Demand — Start a storm and utilize the lightning buttons at the bottom of the screen for manual control. • Sleep Timer — Set a timer complemented with an audio fade-out feature. Choose the state of your lights after the timer ends with the Sleep End State setting. • Bluetooth and AirPlay Support — Connect to Bluetooth speakers directly, or connect to speakers with AirPlay using the Control Center. Adjust the Delay Light FX setting to offset any wireless audio delay. Please contact me at support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev if you experience any issues. I'd love to hear your thoughts and appreciate you taking the time to rate and review the app. I want to continue to improve Thunderstorm for Hue and create a great experience for you and future users. Thank you! —Scott ## Key features - Simulate various thunderstorm intensities - Customize rain and lightning effects - Adjust rain and thunder sounds - Control light colors and brightness - Set background ambient sounds - Manual lightning control - Sleep timer with recurring cycles ## Recent user reviews (10 of 44) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-for-hue/id1126491070/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Does not work *2025-11-26, version 6.2.0* This app does not work. Will to see the bridge. Wasted money ### 3/5 — Fast Perfekt *2025-11-03* Super App mit extrem vielen Möglichkeiten sich seinen eigenen Wohlfühldonner zu generieren. Ich würde sofort 5 Sterne geben, wenn die App auch bei geschlossenem Gerät weiterhin die Licht- und Donnereffekte ausführen würde, damit ich per Sleeptimer zu dem Ganzen einschlafen kann. Ich hoffe das wird noch per Update nachgereicht! **Developer response:** Vielen Dank für Ihre Bewertung. Die App sollte weiterhin im Hintergrund laufen, jedoch kann es vorkommen, dass Ihr Gerät den Hintergrundzugriff unterbricht, wenn die Audioausgabe deaktiviert ist. Falls Sie die Soundeffekte aktiviert haben, starten Sie Ihr Gerät bitte neu, um vorübergehende Störungen auszuschließen. Für weitere Hilfe wenden Sie sich bitte an support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev. Thank you for the review. The app should continue to run in the background but your device may stop background access if audio is disabled. If you do have the sound effects enabled, please try restarting your device to rule out temporary glitches. Contact support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev for more help. ### 2/5 — Not very realistic *2025-06-05, version 6.1.4* It’s a shame I had to spend money on this before realizing how slowly the lights flash for the lightning. Nothing like lightning at all. ### 5/5 — Well worth the money *2024-06-14, version 6.1.4* Very good effect if you have a room with a bunch of Hue lights. Very easy to use and works exactly as advertised. I’ve been using it for about a year now with no issues at all. ### 5/5 — Excellent Thunderstorm simulation! *2023-10-23, version 6.1.4* Best thunderstorms of any app I’ve tried so far! Getting my Halloween window display ready and running this has really made it come to life! One thing I would like to be able to choose more than a singular color for the lightning. But otherwise perfect! ### 5/5 — Brilliant App! *2023-10-08, version 6.1.4* Works exactly as described. Was incredibly simple to set up with our Hue bridge: just tap in the app to select your bridge, then tap the link button on your bridge and it’s done. You can select all lights or use your light groups/zones to create storms throughout your home. You can also select the intensity of the storm and have the ability to tap to create lightning on command. It’s perfect! ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work . *2022-11-13, version 6.0.0* I paid this app , and it doesn’t work .can’t connect to my HUE bridge for no reason . The fire storm app work but not the thunderstorm . I hope u Will fix it quickly . ### 5/5 — Help *2022-07-24, version 5.3.1* I do not have cable or internet and this keeps searching for addresses . I uninstalled and reinstalled no luck. How can I get a refund please? ### 1/5 — Waste of money *2021-06-23, version 5.0.0* It doesn’t matter if you have the $60 hue bulb and an Alexa system you cannot run this app. In order to run this app you would have to own the hue “bridge” which is basically an Alexa that only operates lights. That is the dumbest idea I’ve ever heard who would buy a entire station for a light bulb that already costs $60. Very disappointed I wish the app made any mention of the necessity of a “bridge” before you spend your money. WASTE. ### 5/5 — I have only one critique... *2021-05-23, version 5.0.0* This is a truly excellent application and I absolutely love the storms. It really helps me feel grounded and eases my naturally high anxiety. I currently live somewhere that doesn’t experience many electrical storms; I grew up living in a place where these storms were in abundance and I often find myself longing for a good storm. This app combined with the lighting hardware, completely satisfies this longing. Now for my only critique... Please keep the thunder rolling for longer. The sudden drop off of the distant thunder rolls is significantly telling of the falseness of the sounds. It, ever so slightly, takes away from the experience. The environment you have created here is incredible. The sounds and light show sweeps me away in soothing mind numbing bliss; Which I so desperately desire. You are so close with this marriage of light displays and sound. The amount of healing this brings to me is so valuable to me, and I am so grateful to have found this. Thank you 🙏🏻 ## Frequently asked questions about Thunderstorm for Hue ### What does this app do? This app allows you to create immersive thunderstorm experiences using your Philips Hue lights. You can simulate different types of storms, customize the intensity of rain and lightning, and adjust associated sound effects and background ambiance. ### What are the key features of this app? Key features include simulating strong, normal, weak, and passing thunderstorms, with extensive customization options for rain and lightning effects, sound volumes, and light colors. It also offers background sounds, manual lightning control, and a sleep timer. ### Is this app free to use? Yes, the application is free to use. There are no in-app purchases or advertisements mentioned in the provided description. ### What do I need to use this app? To use this app, you will need a Philips Hue Bridge. You can then select one or more Philips Hue lights or groups that you have set up in the Philips Hue app, or create new zones within this application. ### What are some common use cases for this app? Common use cases include creating a relaxing ambiance for sleep or meditation with gentle rain sounds and soft lighting, enhancing a movie night with dramatic storm effects, or simply enjoying a personalized thunderstorm light show. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 6.3.2 — 2026-05-12 Need help? Email support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev - fixed compatibility issue ### 6.3.1 — 2026-02-07 Need help? Please email support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev - added notification when selected lights are unreachable/powered off - fixed compatibility issue ### 6.2.0 — 2025-08-26 Need help? Please email support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev - fixed compatibility issue ### 6.1.4 — 2023-10-05 Need help? Please email support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev - updated UI/UX ### 6.1.2 — 2023-09-05 Need help? Please email support@thunderstorm.scottdodson.dev - added more timing options - updated UI - fixed compatibility issue ## Apps similar to Thunderstorm for Hue | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Artcast](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/artcast/id1051396325) | 3.9 (27) | Free | Entertainment | | [IMAX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/imax/id1537376352) | 2.3 (32) | Free | Entertainment | | [Dolby XP](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dolby-xp/id1532001619) | 2.3 (52) | Free | Entertainment | | [Strange Planet Stickers](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/strange-planet-stickers/id1593446660) | 4.6 (513) | $1.99 | Entertainment | | [Thunderstorm simulation](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-simulation/id1668589893) | 4.5 (27) | Free | Entertainment | | [SVS](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/svs/id1148462104) | 4.2 (95) | Free | Entertainment | ## More apps by Scott Dodson - [Thunderstorm for LIFX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-for-lifx/id1110240379) - [Firestorm for Hue](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firestorm-for-hue/id1156347961) - [Firestorm for LIFX](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/firestorm-for-lifx/id1179113220) - [Thunderstorm Simulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/thunderstorm-simulator/id1200949907) - [Soundstorm for Hue](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/soundstorm-for-hue/id1230217709) All apps by Scott Dodson: https://appshunter.io/developer/1033778296 ## Related topics [thunderstorm for lifx](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/thunderstorm-for-lifx) --- *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 2026-08-31.*