Question 1

How does Hue Sync work?

Accepted Answer

Hue Sync allows your smart lights to react in real time to your TV’s on-screen content. It uses a proprietary algorithm that analyzes the entire screen, producing a custom light script that is instantly sent to your color-capable Philips Hue lights.

Question 2

What do I need to be able to sync my lights with my media?

Accepted Answer

To get started with Hue Entertainment, you'll need:

• The Hue app
• A free Hue account
• At least one color-capable Hue light

Additional requirements depend on how you want to sync your lights:

TV sync

Hue Sync TV app
• Requires a Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro
• Sync up to 10 Hue lights with compatible TVs

Play HDMI sync box 4K or 8K
• Sync one strip light*
• Sync up to 10 Hue lights using a Bridge or Bridge Pro

Play screen sync
• Sync one strip light*
• Sync up to 10 Hue lights using a Bridge or Bridge Pro

*Compatible strip lights that can sync without a Hue Bridge include: Play Gradient strip light, Play Gradient strip light pro, Flux strip light, Flux ultra-bright strip light, OmniGlow strip light.

Check out our TV-light sync guide to help you decide which sync option is best for you.

PC sync

Hue Sync desktop app
• Requires a Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro
• Sync up to 10 Hue lights with content on your computer

Music sync

Spotify integration
• Requires a Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro
• Sync up to 10 Hue lights with your music in Spotify

Question 3

Which Philips Hue products can I use with Hue Sync?

Accepted Answer

All color-capable bulbs, lamps, strip lights, and light fixtures, as well as Hue Sync-compatible products from partner brands.

Question 4

What is the best way to set up an Entertainment area?

Accepted Answer

You can create an Entertainment area in the Hue app, which illustrates how many lights you have, where and at which height the lights are located, and how your system should use them while syncing.

For the best results, we recommend using several Philips Hue color-capable smart lights. Try Play wall washers or light bars placed on your TV console, a Play gradient strip light attached to the back of your TV, and lights such as the Go accent light or Signe gradient floor lamp near your seating area.

Question 5

What do I need to be able to sync my smart lights with the Hue Play HDMI sync box?

Accepted Answer

Follow these steps:

1. Install Philips Hue color-capable smart lights and a Hue Bridge with the Philips Hue app. Without a Bridge, you can sync one compatible strip light. With a Bridge or Bridge Pro, you can sync up to 10 Hue lights for a more immersive experience.

2. Connect the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box to your HDMI device(s) and your TV.

3. Open the Sync tab on the Hue app and follow the instructions.

Question 6

What do I need to use the Philips Hue Sync TV app?

Accepted Answer

To sync your lights to your TV with the Philips Hue Sync TV app, you’ll need the following:

• A compatible Samsung or LG TV
• Philips Hue app signed in to your free Hue account
• Hue Bridge or Bridge Pro
• At least one color-capable light

Question 7

Can I sync my lights with any streaming service?

Accepted Answer

Philips Hue Sync TV app (for newer Samsung & LG TVs) and Play screen sync (any TV up to 85”)

On compatible Samsung and LG smart TVs, you can install the Philips Hue Sync TV app from the TV’s app store. This app syncs your Hue lights directly with whatever is on the screen, including native streaming apps like Netflix, Disney+, and more, without extra hardware. If you don’t have a compatible TV, you can use the Play screen sync device. It attaches to the top of your TV and its fisheye lens and reads any on-screen content and syncs it to your lights.

Hue Play HDMI sync box

Another syncing option if your TV doesn’t support the native Sync TV app, the Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box. To sync lights with streaming services this way, you must run the video signal through the sync box: connect a streaming device (e.g., Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV) into the sync box via HDMI, and the box then passes the video to your TV while analyzing it to sync your lights. Important: streaming services played directly on the TV’s built-in apps typically won’t sync via the HDMI sync box alone because the box needs the HDMI source to analyze the content. Sync options that do work with your TV’s built-in apps are the Play screen sync and Sync TV app as they read the screen directly.

Hue Sync desktop app

You can also use the Hue Sync desktop app on a computer to sync lights with video played on the computer (e.g., Netflix in a browser) and then cast or connect to the TV.

Question 8

How can I watch Netflix with Hue Sync?

Accepted Answer

You can sync Netflix with your Philips Hue lights on your TV using a Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box by connecting an HDMI device, such as a gaming console or Chromecast. If you have the Philips Hue Sync TV app or Play screen sync device, you can sync your lights to Netflix while watching on the native smart TV app.

Question 9

Does syncing with the Hue Sync TV app or Play screen sync work with all content?

Accepted Answer

Yes! With the Philips Hue Sync TV app or Play screen sync device you can sync your lights to anything playing on your screen. This includes content from smart TV apps such as Netflix, set-top boxes, gaming consoles, streaming sticks, and more.

Question 10

What is the difference between the Hue Sync TV app, Play screen sync, and Play HDMI sync box?

Accepted Answer

The Philips Hue Sync TV app is software that you can download on compatible Samsung or LG TVs. The Philips Hue Play HDMI sync box is hardware that connects to your TV with an HDMI cable. The other main difference is that the Philips Hue Sync TV app is only available for Samsung and LG TVs, while the HDMI sync box and Play screen sync device can be used with any brand of TV.

The Philips Hue Sync TV app and Play screen sync device can also sync with any content playing on the screen, including smart TV apps. The Hue sync box only syncs content that is connected as an HDMI input, so smart TV apps do not work with it.

Question 11

Do I need an HDMI sync box or Play screen sync device  if I have a Samsung or LG smart TV?

Accepted Answer

If you have a compatible TV (See FAQ below) you can just use the Philips Hue Sync TV app.

If your TV is not compatible, then you’ll need to use an HDMI sync box or Play screen sync device.

Question 12

Is the Hue Sync TV app compatible with all Samsung or LG TVs?

Accepted Answer

The Philips Hue Sync TV app is available on 2022 and newer Samsung QLED TVs in the Q60 or higher range and 2024 and newer LG TV models with webOS24 or higher.
If your TV supports the Philips Hue Sync TV app, it will appear when you search for it in Apps. Alternatively, check the product specifications of your TV model on the manufacturer’s website.

Question 13

Does the Philips Hue Sync TV app support both 60Hz and 120Hz TVs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The Philips Hue Sync TV app works on compatible 60 Hz and 120 Hz Samsung TVs or 2024 and new LG TVs with webOS24 or higher, [GB1] using all video formats.

Question 14

Does my TV need an active internet connection to use the Philips Hue Sync TV app?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You’ll need an internet connection both to purchase the app and to sync your lights.

Question 15

Can I use the Hue Sync TV app on multiple TVs using the same Samsung or LG account?

Accepted Answer

You can use the same Samsung or LG account to purchase the Philips Hue Sync TV app on multiple TVs, but each purchase is tied to one TV. You’ll need to make separate purchases if you would like to use the app on more than one TV.

Question 16

How does payment work for the Philips Hue Sync TV app?

Accepted Answer

You can purchase the app directly on your compatible Samsung or LG TV. First, download the app from the store. Open the app and follow the instructions to complete the purchase. If you can't find the app in the app store, update your TV to the latest software. Still can't find it? Check your TV's specifications to ensure it supports the Philips Hue Sync TV app on the TV manufacturer’s website.

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Philips Hue entertainment lights FAQs

How does Hue Sync work?

What do I need to be able to sync my lights with my media?

Which Philips Hue products can I use with Hue Sync?