2026.5: We’re on the same frequency now 📡
Home Assistant 2026.5 makes radio-frequency control a first-class feature, adds serial-port proxying over the network and expands its built-in maintenance and security dashboards.
The May 2026 release brings native RF control alongside infrared, network serial proxying via ESPHome and a wave of dashboard and automation improvements.
The short version
- RF becomes a first-class platform for controlling blinds, garage doors, ceiling fans and wireless outlets.
- Two RF transmitters launch immediately: ESPHome with a roughly $10 CC1101 sub-GHz module, and the Broadlink RM4 Pro.
- ESPHome devices can now proxy serial connections over the network, with a migration from pyserial to the serialx library.
- A new Maintenance dashboard auto-discovers battery entities by area and highlights low batteries.
- 12 new integrations added, with six reaching platinum quality and notable upgrades to Matter, MQTT and UniFi Protect.
- Backward-incompatible changes remove several Person/Device Tracker home-presence triggers and conditions.
Why it matters
Adding native RF support extends Home Assistant’s reach to a large category of cheap, unconnected devices that previously needed bespoke bridges, while serial proxying over ESPHome removes the need to physically tether hardware to the server. Together they push more of the smart home onto a single local platform.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at Home Assistant via the links above and below.