Bluetooth

[vague saffron]

Hey guys, I recently discovered that I think the Home Assistant green version doesn’t come with Bluetooth built-in. Do I need a Bluetooth dongle to use Bluetooth devices to connect? For example, I’m trying to use SwitchBot using Bluetooth only instead of the hub.

[subtle thunder]

Either a compatble Bluetooth dongle or preferrably ESPHome Bluetooth Proxies.
https://esphome.io/projects/

Some Shelly products can serve as Bluetooth Proxy as well.

[vague saffron]

thanks

[glad rose]

For SwitchBot you’ll like need a active connection and Shelly devices only provide a scanner

[inland ginkgo]

do you need a pi or something for those ESP boards or can you run them as is like that?

[subtle thunder]

Those proxies are ESP32 devices (with Bluetooth) with the according ESPHome firmware.

Some can be flashed via USB and the webflasher, others need special additional flashing hardware.

[inland ginkgo]

so I can just get this (the esphome site linked it) with nothing else and it'll just work? https://www.amazon.com/ESP-WROOM-32-Development-Microcontroller-Integrated-Compatible/dp/B08D5ZD528

[subtle thunder]

Looks fine to me, but the ESPHome Discord has the more knowledgable people.

[inland ginkgo]

the main thing I'm trying to do is to connect a bluetooth meter to wifi so home assistant can read it

[subtle thunder]

Does it have an HA Bluetooth integration?