What You Will Need

Philips Hue Motion Sensor
A Philips Hue Bridge (set up and connected to your router)
A smartphone or tablet with the Philips Hue app installed
The included mounting plate and adhesive (or screws)
At least one Hue light already set up and assigned to a room
Two AAA batteries (included)

Step 1: Insert the Batteries

Open the back cover of the Motion Sensor by pressing the release tab. Insert the two included AAA batteries, making sure to match the positive and negative terminals as shown inside the battery compartment. Close the cover until it clicks shut.

Step 2: Add the Sensor to Your Bridge

Open the Philips Hue app.
Go to Settings, then Accessories.
Tap Add Accessory and select Hue Motion Sensor.
The app will prompt you to press the setup button on the back of the sensor. Press and hold it for about 3 seconds.
The sensor will pair with the Bridge and appear in your accessory list.

Step 3: Assign the Sensor to a Room

After pairing, the app will ask which room the sensor should control. Select the room where you plan to install the sensor. The sensor will automatically turn on the lights in that room when it detects motion and turn them off after a period of inactivity.

Step 4: Configure Motion Settings

In the Hue app, tap the Motion Sensor in your accessories list to adjust its behavior. You can configure the following settings:

Daylight sensitivity: The sensor has a built-in ambient light sensor. You can set it to only trigger when the room is dark, preventing the lights from turning on during the daytime when natural light is sufficient.
Scene on activation: Choose which scene activates when motion is detected. For example, select a bright scene during the day and a dim warm scene at night.
Turn-off timer: Set how long the lights stay on after the last motion is detected. Options range from 1 minute to 60 minutes. A 5-minute timer works well for most rooms.
Time-based behavior: Configure different responses based on the time of day. For example, bright lights from 6 AM to 10 PM and a dim nightlight mode from 10 PM to 6 AM.

Step 5: Choose the Best Location

Placement is critical for a motion sensor to work well. The Hue Motion Sensor uses a passive infrared (PIR) sensor that detects heat from moving bodies. For best results:

Mount the sensor at a height of approximately 5 to 7 feet from the floor.
Position it so the sensor faces the area where people enter the room, typically aimed at the doorway.
Avoid placing it directly above a heat source (radiator, oven) or in direct sunlight, as these can cause false triggers.
The sensor has a detection range of approximately 16 feet with a 100-degree detection angle.

Step 6: Mount the Sensor

Clean the wall surface with a damp cloth.
Attach the mounting plate using the included adhesive strip (or screws for a permanent mount).
Snap the sensor onto the mounting plate. The magnetic ball joint allows you to tilt and rotate the sensor to aim it in the correct direction.

Step 7: Test and Fine-Tune

Walk into the sensor's detection zone. The lights should turn on automatically.
Leave the room and wait for the turn-off timer to expire. The lights should turn off.
If the sensor triggers from areas you do not want (like a hallway visible through a doorway), adjust the angle of the sensor using the ball joint.
If the lights turn on when you do not want them to (during daytime), adjust the daylight sensitivity setting in the app.

Tips

The AAA batteries typically last 2 to 3 years depending on how frequently the sensor triggers.
The sensor also measures temperature and ambient light level, which you can view in the Hue app under the sensor details.
For hallways or staircases, aim the sensor down the length of the space rather than across it for better detection of approaching movement.
The sensor counts toward the 12-accessory limit on the Hue Bridge.
If you want lights in multiple rooms to respond to one sensor, create automations in the Hue app that link the sensor to additional rooms.

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