Skip to main content

Home Assistant 2025.1

The first update of 2025 🥳 Home Assistant brings a significant change for automatic backups.

Redesigned Automatic Backups

Home Assistant introduces significant improvements to the backup system:

  • Automatic backup creation with adjustable frequency - daily or weekly at 4:45 AM
  • New overview showing the latest and scheduled backups
  • Notifications in the repair center for backup issues
  • All previous backups are converted to the manual without encryption category.

Backups

info

At the time of the 2025.01 release, the new backup settings are unfortunately only available in English.

Encryption of Backups by Default

  • All backups are now encrypted (AES-128)
  • A mandatory encryption key replaces the optional password. Make sure to store this key in a safe place, as you will need it to restore your backups
  • Option to download the key as an emergency kit

Backups Encryption

Backups to Home Assistant (Nabu Casa) Cloud

  • Nabu Casa subscribers can store backups in the cloud (up to 5 GB)
  • Feature available at no additional cost for existing and new subscribers

Expandable Backup Locations

Home Assistant allows storing backups in various locations:

  • Local disk
  • Home Assistant Cloud
  • Additional locations provided by integrations (in the future)

Backups Locations

The system is designed to be expandable, allowing integration with various storage providers without dependency on a specific provider. In the future, integrations are expected to offer backup options to NAS, Google Drive, Backblaze B2, and other storage solutions.

Backup Retention Management

The new system automatically manages backup retention:

  • You can set the number of backups you want to keep
  • Old backups are automatically deleted
  • Prevents storage space from being filled up

Initial Setup Wizard

When accessing the backup settings for the first time after the update, a wizard will guide you through:

  • Setting up the encryption key
  • Configuring the backup frequency
  • Setting up backup retention rules
  • Running the first backup immediately after completing the setup

These improvements provide users with greater control over the backup process, ensuring that important data is always protected and easily recoverable.

What the Hack - News

In December 2024, the "What the Hack" month took place, aimed at engaging the community and providing valuable input for the future development of Home Assistant. Some of the new features have already been implemented in version 2025.1.

Improved Automations and Scripts

  • Categories and Tags on Creation: You can now add categories and tags directly when creating or renaming automations and scripts.
  • Immediate Organization: No need to return to settings for additional organization.

Automations Save

Faster Navigation

  • New Keyboard Shortcut d: Allows quick access to devices using the Quickbar.
  • Complements Existing Shortcuts:
    • c for general navigation
    • e for entity search

Enhanced Graphs

  • Zoom and Pan: Ability to zoom in and pan in any graph.
  • Controls:
    • Ctrl/Cmd + mouse wheel for zoom
    • Click and drag for panning
    • Micro-animations: Graphs feel more lively and less static.

Visibility Settings for Assist

  • Control Over New Entities: Option to set whether new entities are automatically visible to Assist.
  • Flexible Settings: Available in the Home Assistant voice assistant settings.

Improved Energy Dashboard

  • Reordering Devices: New feature allowing the reordering of individual devices on the energy dashboard.

New Integrations

  • Cookidoo (shopping list management)
  • EHEIM Digital (control of aquarium devices)
  • Ituran (vehicle information with Ituran)
  • Ohme (data from smart EV charger)
  • Peblar (EV charging monitoring)
  • Powerfox (energy consumption data collection)
  • Slide Local (control of blinds via local API)
  • Watergate (Watergate Sonic Local integration)

Other Significant Changes

  • Automatic focus on the search field in data tables when using ctrl+f
  • Immediate focus on the search field when adding a new card
  • Viewing uploaded images in the media browser
  • Display of measurement units on sliders in the "more info" dialog for numeric entities
  • Support for mWh and mW as measurement units for energy sensors
  • Easier access to settings and categories in the automation and script editor
  • Extended filtering options in the logbook card
  • Support for new measurement units for energy sensors

Release Party Video

Comments