PS4 integration into the smart home

More than just for playing video games, the latest generation of consoles can serve as a complete entertainment hub, and although not as efficient as Xbox One in this space, the PS4 can still integrate into a user’s smart home setup.

Despite Sony placing some barriers to stop the PS4 from being completely harmonious with a smart home setup, it does integrate just fine using Logitech’s Harmony hub, Alexa and Google Home.

Set Up The PS4 With Logitech Harmony

Right now, the most straightforward route to connecting the PS4 to other smart home devices is via Logitech’s Harmony hub, otherwise, you can control everything using the Harmony app on your smartphone.

Setting up the hub is pretty straightforward – the app will walk you through everything, but you’ll want to keep it nearby your PS4. If you have a smart TV, we’d recommend pairing that when it prompts you to search for Wi-Fi devices, as you can sync this up with the PS4.

The most straightforward route to connecting the PS4 to other smart home devices is via Logitech's Harmony hub.

Add The PS4 To Your Harmony Devices

When the hub is connected to your Wi-Fi network, and you’ve paired it with your other smart devices, you’ll need to add the PS4 manually via Bluetooth, as it won’t be able to pick up your console over the Wi-Fi.

To achieve this, do the following:

1. In the app menu, go to Devices.

2. Tap Edit Devices, then hit + Device to add a new one.

3. From the selection that appears, you want to tap Entertainment Device.

4. Under manufacturer name, put Sony.

5. For the model number, you can just type in “PlayStation 4”. No need to fish out the exact model number, unless “PlayStation 4” doesn’t work for some reason.

6. Hit Add, acknowledge the notes and then, voila, the first part is done.

It will then ask you if you want to set up an activity using the PS4, which can add in other devices that are connected to the hub. You can do this later by building an activity from the home screen, otherwise hit Yes.

Next, Choose Your Inputs

1. At this point, you’ll be prompted to set up your activity by selecting the devices you want to control. Don’t worry, you can add more later.

2. Once you’ve chosen your inputs, turn on the PS4.

3. Head to Settings > Devices > Bluetooth Settings.

4. Search for “Harmony Keyboard” on the list and select it. If it doesn’t show up, try pushing the pairing button on the back of the hub.

Done that? Great. You should now be set up. The app will give you a test run so you can make sure everything’s talking to one another.

Now, before we get onto further automations, the bad news is that Sony prevents third-party devices from switching on the PS4. This means that you’ll need to switch on the PS4 manually each time, either with the DualShock controller, a PS4 remote or on the console itself, though the Harmony hub can switch the PS4 off and control media playback.

There is another way, but it’s not a guarantee. You may have heard of something called HDMI-CEC, which is a way for devices to control your TV via HDMI. This feature is available on a lot of modern TVs, but not on every model. Enabling it, however, may allow Harmony hub to switch on the PS4.

You’ll need to enable it on the PS4 by heading to Settings > System and hitting “Enable HDMI Device Link”. Yes, to confuse matters, Sony doesn’t even call it HDMI-CEC, but we promise you that’s what it is.

How To Build A PS4 Activity

Like other smart home platforms, the Harmony hub lets you build routines or “activities”. This means you can set up a specific routine for when it’s time for a bit of FIFA 19.

You can even create a schedule so that everything turns on or off at a certain time of day, on select days of the week.

For example, we have an Activity which powers on the TV, switches to the PS4 HDMI port and dims our Philips Hue lights when we tap the ‘Play PS4’ button in the app. You could also include a soundbar in that, or other speakers, that come on at the same time.

The Harmony app lets you set an “End Sequence” too, and this doesn’t just have to be the same routine in reverse. In our case, we have it so that it turns everything off, including the lights, as we tend to play the PS4 before bed. And while turning on the PS4 has to be done manually, you can automate it so that the Harmony hub puts the PS4 on standby when you activate the end sequence.

You can even create a schedule so that everything turns on or off at a certain time of day, on select days of the week.

How To Control The PS4 With Alexa & Google Assistant

Because the Harmony hub works with Alexa and Google Assistant, you can use your smart speakers to do everything mentioned above, but without lifting a finger. You’ll need to enable the Harmony skill for Alexa, and likewise connect your Google Assistant to the Harmony action, both of which will prompt you to authorise your Logitech account.

Alexa and Google Assistant will be able to read all of the activities and devices linked to your account, so you can try saying “Alexa, turn on PS4” or “OK Google, tell Harmony to turn on PS4”. Yeah, the Google route is a bit more wordy, but the results are just the same. Remember you can rename these, so if you want, you can change it so instead of saying “Alexa, turn off living room”, you say “Alexa, turn off elephant”, if that’s your thing.

And try getting creative. Mess around with Harmony activities to tweak the perfect setup, like having the TV raise the volume when you switch to the PS4.