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Original poster

Hive no longer allowing remote control/holiday mode

55 replies

MNetcurtains · 07/09/2023 14:52

I originally posted this under "Legal". Reposting here for traffic. I'm absolutely fuming!!😡

We had Hive installed so we could control lighting and heating remotely (the heating is particularly important when we're away during the winter months) when travelling. Today we tried to set some timers and received a message saying that in order to achieve nett zero carbon emissions (or words to that effect), this function has been removed.

This has serious security implications for us and other households. There is apparently no way of contacting them to dispute or discuss.

Basically we paid out for multiple sensors etc. that are now completely useless!

Has this affected anybody else and is there any recourse?

Edit: We also shelled out for a load of special lightbulbs that were required for this function.

OP posts:
GasPanic · 07/09/2023 15:28

Timers for what ? The heating or the lights ?

I have hive for the heating and I like it. But didn't extend it to other smart devices like lights because a) I thought they were too expensive and b) I got the impression from their software that they were moving to more chargeable options.

I use TCP Smart for the lights and cameras and smart life for the door sensors. Smart life is very low cost.

I have just checked my heating timers and it is still available to set a schedule ?

ApolloandDaphne · 07/09/2023 15:40

I have Hive and I'm not sore what it is that has been removed. Can you try and clarify?

Original poster
MNetcurtains · 07/09/2023 15:52

ApolloandDaphne · 07/09/2023 15:40

I have Hive and I'm not sore what it is that has been removed. Can you try and clarify?

There is an app whereby you can turns lights and heating, and set timers when you are away from home. That option is no longer available.

OP posts:
Original poster
MNetcurtains · 07/09/2023 15:58

GasPanic · 07/09/2023 15:28

Timers for what ? The heating or the lights ?

I have hive for the heating and I like it. But didn't extend it to other smart devices like lights because a) I thought they were too expensive and b) I got the impression from their software that they were moving to more chargeable options.

I use TCP Smart for the lights and cameras and smart life for the door sensors. Smart life is very low cost.

I have just checked my heating timers and it is still available to set a schedule ?

Previously, we were able to control everything remotely via a phone app. Timers for heating and lights, adjust temperature for heating etc. We are currently away and we can't access any of it!

OP posts:
Dbank · 07/09/2023 16:03

I'm using App version 11.03.0(2). on iOS and are able to schedule and manually control Heating and Hive smart switches without issue.

If you're still observing the issue, can you confirm your steps any relevant observations, App version and platform?

Original poster
MNetcurtains · 07/09/2023 16:06

Dbank · 07/09/2023 16:03

I'm using App version 11.03.0(2). on iOS and are able to schedule and manually control Heating and Hive smart switches without issue.

If you're still observing the issue, can you confirm your steps any relevant observations, App version and platform?

Thanks for response. The App is on DH's phone, I'll check which version he's using. We're currently away and he tried to access it today and received a message saying it was no longer possible.

OP posts:
ApolloandDaphne · 07/09/2023 16:15

I haven't tried to use mine remotely for a while. I use that facility more in the winter. I will try the next time i am out.

GasPanic · 07/09/2023 16:21

OK, well I never figured out "holiday mode". If I am away I just change the main timing settings. I don't maintain separate schedules for holiday and home.

I will check also whether I can control from outside the house but could take a day or so.

Not really using it at the moment, just the odd hot water boost now and again.

KievLoverTwo · 07/09/2023 16:25

It definitely used to be a thing. My old LL used to turn the heating up or down in the house on his way home from work 20 miles away when I was his lodger (six years ago).

I seem to recall adverts showing this exact setup on TV to get people to buy it, too.

saraclara · 07/09/2023 16:28

I just tried to open my hive app to see if my holiday mode works, and it won't open at all. Maybe there's a general issue? It's a bit worrying.

GasPanic · 07/09/2023 16:30

Oh yes it was definitely a facility to control off your mobile. I never used to have my heating on timing much, but it was always useful when I was out on odd days to put it on say 1 hour before you get home remotely so it was warm when you get back.

Makes me wonder whether they have made this facility only available on the subscription. I guess now more and more people have them installed they might think they have the captive market to do that, but it won't do them much good if they do, because everyone will probably switch to another option.

saraclara · 07/09/2023 16:32

Ah, got it to open, did a holiday mode test, and mine's working fine. I only have heating and hot water controls though.

Counciltelly · 07/09/2023 16:32

It won’t help net zero. We keep heating off and if coming home early will switch it on in the car. So use less heating.

tealandteal · 07/09/2023 16:35

Mine is still working. Could he Ned to update the app?

Aposterhasnoname · 07/09/2023 16:36

I’ve just tried switching on lights at home and checking them on the cameras and it’s worked fine. I’m in Turkey. The schedules are all set and nothing has suggested it won’t work. If hive have done this then I’m going postal, they’ve already done us over on the alarm and cameras.

Original poster
MNetcurtains · 07/09/2023 16:37

ApolloandDaphne · 07/09/2023 16:15

I haven't tried to use mine remotely for a while. I use that facility more in the winter. I will try the next time i am out.

Thanks, I would be grateful for your feedback.

OP posts:
Aposterhasnoname · 07/09/2023 16:39

Just tried cranking up the heating, no issue.

Elisebev · 07/09/2023 16:40

I use the remote function all the time via the app without any issues

Aposterhasnoname · 07/09/2023 16:41

And just set holiday mode (hadn’t bothered because won’t need the heating on when we get back) and that worked fine too. Remote access is literally the entire point of hive, why would they remove it.

Maltaw · 07/09/2023 16:42

Im still fuming at Hive - they have discontinued their hive cameras. They are all going to become completely useless in the summer of 2025. The cameras are really expensive and a lot of people including me spent a lot of money on a complete hive system that I wouldn't have if I had know the cameras were going to be shelved.

They were still selling them without any warning when Hive knew they were being discontinued.

It's a real shame as they were brilliant cameras.

The reason that it's because of trying to be net zero is bollox and insulting.

There was a lot of bad press about this EG MONEY SAVING EXPERT

Original poster
MNetcurtains · 07/09/2023 16:42

tealandteal · 07/09/2023 16:35

Mine is still working. Could he Ned to update the app?

I need to see the message he got when he tried to access it, but it doesn't appear to be a glitsch as there was a message stating that they had discontinued it to 'save the planet' blah, blah. It definitely appears to be a change of policy not a temporary system issue.

OP posts:
Snittle · 07/09/2023 16:43

Counciltelly · 07/09/2023 16:32

It won’t help net zero. We keep heating off and if coming home early will switch it on in the car. So use less heating.

It’ll help Hive’s net zero, as they’ll be able to shut down a load of servers if there’s no online access and just local access only.

GasPanic · 07/09/2023 16:44

Aposterhasnoname · 07/09/2023 16:36

I’ve just tried switching on lights at home and checking them on the cameras and it’s worked fine. I’m in Turkey. The schedules are all set and nothing has suggested it won’t work. If hive have done this then I’m going postal, they’ve already done us over on the alarm and cameras.

What changed about the alarm and cameras ?

IIRC they stopped supplying some types of hardware ?

Original poster
MNetcurtains · 07/09/2023 16:46

Maltaw · 07/09/2023 16:42

Im still fuming at Hive - they have discontinued their hive cameras. They are all going to become completely useless in the summer of 2025. The cameras are really expensive and a lot of people including me spent a lot of money on a complete hive system that I wouldn't have if I had know the cameras were going to be shelved.

They were still selling them without any warning when Hive knew they were being discontinued.

It's a real shame as they were brilliant cameras.

The reason that it's because of trying to be net zero is bollox and insulting.

There was a lot of bad press about this EG MONEY SAVING EXPERT

Yep, the nett zero shit is absolute bollocks. DH was muttering about the fact that BG has lost a load of money and they're just withdrawing services that WE PAID FOR. Hence my question about whether we have any recourse.

OP posts:
Aposterhasnoname · 07/09/2023 16:48

GasPanic · 07/09/2023 16:44

What changed about the alarm and cameras ?

IIRC they stopped supplying some types of hardware ?

Show quote history

Basically they are switching the whole home alarm system off in 2025. We’d put a full security system including cameras in one month previously, then they announced they were discontinuing support for it and it would all go offline in 2025. Fucking fuming!