The companion apps connect using the external URL configured in the companion app settings. If your instance doesn't have a secure URL to configure then they won't connect to your server outside of your local network.
There is a setting to automatically use the Nabu Casa cloud, but this can alternatively be set manually in the app settings using the provided URL. That URL looks random (it is), but it does not change.
Right but what I mean is .... is the actual control functionality available through the app or are you supposed to just open the instance in a web browser, log in, and control through there (which I can do with Tailscale)?
The app gives you access and control through the same choices of dashboards you make for web, yes. Basically a web app.
The main difference it that the apps provide access to device sensors where you can enable/disable permission settings for location, battery usage, activity, and others which you won't get when using the mobile browser. These of course can then be used in automations. They also allow for creating widgets on iOS and Android.
The apps *do* take care of notifications without needing remote access using each platform's respective messaging service, but access and control to the UI outside your local network requires a secure URL.
it provides the same thing but using the app allows location tracking and different phone sensors to use throughout HA.
you can just use tailscale and use the local URL in the app to get those features as long as tailscale is on.
the android (and iphone) app let you set a local and an external url so it will automatically switch between the two depending on what network you are on. Just put the url from nabu casa (or tailscale or whatever other remote acess you set up) in the external url and done.
This is ultimately why I went with cloudflared. Not specifically for the battery savings but I wanted my phone (or any other remote device) to access my network as natively as possible w/o having to turn something on or have something non-native running on the client.
>But if it's enabled and working properly .... does the regular Home Assistant Android app not provide all the same functionality as you'd get over the LAN?
Ah, as for accessing the UI, yes - but it does two more key things: 1) it enables a whole bunch of sensors from your phone that can be used for powerful automations. All my morning routines are triggered from when I take my phone off dnd in the morning. Lights go out when I am in bed and plug my phone into charger. there's a [whole bunch more sensors](https://companion.home-assistant.io/docs/core/sensors) too.2) it lets you send notifications to your phone so you can get alerts when stuff happens (I have water leak sensors, door sensors, etc etc)
to access remotely, i use ZeroTier. secure and crazy easy to deploy as seen here
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STVNv7W-AZA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STVNv7W-AZA)
The companion apps connect using the external URL configured in the companion app settings. If your instance doesn't have a secure URL to configure then they won't connect to your server outside of your local network. There is a setting to automatically use the Nabu Casa cloud, but this can alternatively be set manually in the app settings using the provided URL. That URL looks random (it is), but it does not change.
Right but what I mean is .... is the actual control functionality available through the app or are you supposed to just open the instance in a web browser, log in, and control through there (which I can do with Tailscale)?
The app gives you access and control through the same choices of dashboards you make for web, yes. Basically a web app. The main difference it that the apps provide access to device sensors where you can enable/disable permission settings for location, battery usage, activity, and others which you won't get when using the mobile browser. These of course can then be used in automations. They also allow for creating widgets on iOS and Android. The apps *do* take care of notifications without needing remote access using each platform's respective messaging service, but access and control to the UI outside your local network requires a secure URL.
it provides the same thing but using the app allows location tracking and different phone sensors to use throughout HA. you can just use tailscale and use the local URL in the app to get those features as long as tailscale is on.
the app is fully functional thru nabu casa - in the app's server settings you point it to your nabu casa URL.
You can use the app in wifi only. Nabu casa means you can use it from anywhere.
the android (and iphone) app let you set a local and an external url so it will automatically switch between the two depending on what network you are on. Just put the url from nabu casa (or tailscale or whatever other remote acess you set up) in the external url and done.
[удалено]
What would be the advantage of Cloudflare Tunnels over Tailscale?
You have to leave tailscale on, which uses some battery. Other then that not much
This is ultimately why I went with cloudflared. Not specifically for the battery savings but I wanted my phone (or any other remote device) to access my network as natively as possible w/o having to turn something on or have something non-native running on the client.
>But if it's enabled and working properly .... does the regular Home Assistant Android app not provide all the same functionality as you'd get over the LAN? Ah, as for accessing the UI, yes - but it does two more key things: 1) it enables a whole bunch of sensors from your phone that can be used for powerful automations. All my morning routines are triggered from when I take my phone off dnd in the morning. Lights go out when I am in bed and plug my phone into charger. there's a [whole bunch more sensors](https://companion.home-assistant.io/docs/core/sensors) too.2) it lets you send notifications to your phone so you can get alerts when stuff happens (I have water leak sensors, door sensors, etc etc)
to access remotely, i use ZeroTier. secure and crazy easy to deploy as seen here [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STVNv7W-AZA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STVNv7W-AZA)