# Choose your firmware

> Choose ESPHome for Home Assistant, HomeKit-compatible firmware for Apple Home, or Matter-compatible firmware for Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings.

Source: https://serin-labs.com/controller/firmware.html
Last updated: 2026-10-27

Choose firmware for your smart-home app or Serin Link. All three builds are free to install and need no Serin Labs account or subscription.

For Serin Link without an app, choose **HomeKit-compatible firmware** (**Apple Home** in the flash tool) and follow [Serin Link setup](https://serin-labs.com/controller/link.html#link-only). No Apple device or home hub is needed.

## Choose by the app you use

[Home AssistantESPHome firmware. Needs Home Assistant and the ESPHome dashboard.](https://serin-labs.com/esphome/setup.html) [Apple HomeHomeKit-compatible firmware. Needs an iPhone or iPad. Remote access and automations need an Apple TV or HomePod.](https://serin-labs.com/homekit/setup.html) [Google Home, Alexa & SmartThingsMatter-compatible firmware. Needs a hub with Matter support and IPv6 on your home network.](https://serin-labs.com/matter/setup.html)

### Using more than one app?

- **Home Assistant plus another app:** choose Home Assistant. It can share the thermostat with Apple Home through its HomeKit Bridge integration, and with Google Home or Alexa through Home Assistant.
- **The Matter-compatible build in Apple Home or Home Assistant:** it can be added to either app through Matter.

## How the builds differ

All three use 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi. Compare board support and sensor routes in [Features and supported hardware](https://serin-labs.com/controller/features.html).

### Home Assistant

Join Wi-Fi, adopt the controller in ESPHome, then add the Home Assistant integration. Customize with the [YAML generator](https://serin-labs.com/esphome/generate-yaml.html). Open source.

### Apple Home

Join Wi-Fi, then scan the pairing code with the Home app. Extra controls and updates are in the [web interface](https://serin-labs.com/controller/web-interface.html). Open source; not Apple-certified. Confirm the uncertified-accessory notice when pairing.

### Google Home, Alexa & SmartThings

The app sends Wi-Fi details while pairing over Bluetooth. Extra controls and updates are in the web interface. Not certified; source is not published. Your app may ask you to confirm an uncertified accessory.

See [controls and entities](https://serin-labs.com/controller/controls.html) for app limits and [licenses and compliance](https://serin-labs.com/licenses.html) for source and terms.

## Install or switch firmware

Use the [flash tool](https://serin-labs.com/flash.html) on a computer with Chrome, Edge or Brave and a USB-C data cable. It offers builds for your board, labeled [ESPHome](https://serin-labs.com/flash.html?platform=esphome), [Apple Home](https://serin-labs.com/flash.html?platform=homekit), and [Google Home, Alexa & SmartThings](https://serin-labs.com/flash.html?platform=direct).

Switching requires a [USB reinstall](https://serin-labs.com/controller/recovery.html#reset) and new app pairing. To update the same firmware, use [Update firmware](https://serin-labs.com/controller/updates.html).