Release notes version 2.20.2 Mac
Software version and release date
Niko Home Control programming software version 2.20.2 Mac OS (64 bits). This software is used for programming a new Niko Home Control II installation or for adapting an existing 2.x installation.
Release date
This upgrade is provided as an automatic upgrade of the programming software at start-up and can also be downloaded from the Niko website.
System requirements
- A minimum of 4 GB RAM is recommended
- Compatible with Mac OS 11 or a more recent version
- Minimum screen resolution: 1366 x 768. The programming software will give a warning message when it is opened on a lower resolution screen.
The app for iPads and iPhones requires iOS version 14.0 or higher. The Android app requires version 9.0 or higher.
When should you use it?
Niko strongly recommends upgrading all Niko Home Control II installations to this version to guarantee the correct functioning of the installation. An upgrade is specifically recommended if the installation requires one of the following features or bug fixes:
New features
Compared to version 2.19.1:
Programming software:
- The automatic process to create DALI groups has been improved. Also, manual adaptations are possible via the new DALI Light Experience Optimiser tool that is added to the new tab “Tools”.
- The dim speed can now be configured in basic actions. This new parameter is available for most lighting types that are dimmed on by a basic action.
- When connecting to a network with multiple Niko Home Control installations, the programming software will now also show the IP address of each installation to facilitate selection of one of these installations.
- The green status LED of the wireless smart hub can be turned off via the diagnostics page.
- The red status LED of the mini detector and indoor motion detector can be turned off via the parameter settings of the device.
- The smart plug has a new mode “Only ON/OFF” to use it to switch devices ON/OFF and not to measure the power consumption. This is the default mode for new devices, to avoid data traffic on the network.
- In case of pairing issues of Zigbee® devices, it is possible to enter the MAC address and installation code manually.
- Polish language is no longer supported, language setting is automatically changed to English.
- Niko Home app:
- The Energy tab shows a real-time overview of the energy flows in your home. It allows you to see the balance between energy production and consumption at a glance. You can also consult detailed measurements and history.
- Polish language is no longer supported, language setting is automatically changed to English.
- Niko Home Control onboarding and upgrades:
- The registration of Niko Home Control II installations is done via the Niko Home app or the programming software, instead of the website mynikohomecontrol.niko.eu.
- After installing version 2.20.5: Upgrades of the Niko Home Control installation will be downloaded and installed automatically when available. Automatic upgrades can be enabled and disabled in the programming software (via Dashboard > Global settings) or Niko Home app (via General info > Installation info).
- Connected services:
- Compatibility with Easee car charger.
- New product support:
- Support for the push buttons with LEDs and comfort sensors (xxx-5220X and xxx-52921) in the programming software. Besides the temperature, the Niko Home app and Digital black can now also visualize the humidity of the room. Both the temperature and humidity values can now be used as input for conditions and routines. The hardware is available as of March 2024.
Bug fixing
Compared to version 2.20.1:
- Fix for issue in the Niko Home Control 2.20.1 software upgrade, affecting certain DALI light control systems, preventing some lights from switching on.
Compared to version 2.19.1:
- Niko Home app:
- If a profile is accessible without password, the password entry screen is not displayed.
- The Niko Home app is not crashing anymore during the editing of solar mode of Niko Home Control installations that also have a link with a Daikin air conditioner.
- Fix for car chargers that went into error mode when switched off via the Niko Home app.
- Programming software:
- SMA devices with a serial number of 9 characters can also be linked to the Niko Home Control installation.
- Fix for issue related to reactivation of profiles via the dashboard of the programming software.
How do you install it?
If you are installing the software for the first time:
Download the software from the Niko website.
Unzip the downloaded file, you will receive 4 files:
- README.txt: this file contains the installation instructions
- Dwg file:
- The installation of the programme will start as soon as you open this file (follow the steps on the screen)
- If your PC is connected to the internet, the software will suggest a download of a more recent version, if available. We recommend always using the latest version since it will contain the latest functionalities and bug fixes.
- NikoTouch2OS.zip en NikoTouch3OS.zip:
- These files are required for the activation of each second-generation (550-20101) or third-generation (550-20102) touchscreen. You can recognize these touchscreens by the presence of a USB port at the bottom of the screen. Other touchscreens cannot be used in a Niko Home Control II installation.
- Do not unzip this file under any circumstances.
- Copy the zip file to an empty FAT32 formatted USB stick. Make sure to use the "safely remove hardware" option when removing the USB stick from a Windows PC.
- Plug the USB stick in the USB port at the bottom of the touchscreen and follow the instructions on the screen. The touchscreen will automatically recognize the correct zip file and start the upgrade.
- Later upgrades will be installed automatically. An active internet connection is required.
If you have installed a previous 2.x software:
- Make sure your computer has an active connection to the internet.
- Open the installed programming software on your computer. The software indicates that a new version is available. Confirm that you want to upgrade.
- If the programming software indicates an upgrade is available for the connected controller, please perform this upgrade.
- (If you haven't received this notification, it means your computer hasn't connected to your connected controller yet. Close the software and connect your computer to your connected controller. Open the programming software again. You will now see the upgrade for the connected controller and you can perform it).
- The software confirms your installation is up to date.
- If you have a touchscreen 550-20102, this touchscreen will also indicate that an upgrade is available. Follow the steps on the screen to download and install the upgrade. You only need an active internet connection (the upgrade no longer requires a USB-stick as with the first upgrade to Niko Home Control II). The touchscreen 550-20101 must be upgraded with the USB stick according to the procedure described above.
Warnings and known issues
- Energy features for bus wiring installations with a measuring module (550-00801, 550-00803):
- Make sure your current clamps are connected in the right way to get the right data in the Niko Home app. Consumption and production should have positive values. If this is not the case, please invert the production current clamp.
- Historical energy data is not yet available in the Niko Home app. This data will be added in a following release. However, the historical data is not lost and will still be visible in the Niko Home Control II app.
- Digital black:
- Digital black 230V cannot be used as a thermostat. Only Digital black 24V in combination with a heating-cooling module or switching module (ref. 550-00103 or 550-00106) programmed for electrical heating supports this function.
- Temperature calibration offset must be set in the app to align the measured temperature to the actual room temperature.
- Linking the Digital black to your Wi-Fi network can fail on Netgear Orbi RBR50 routers.
Recent updates of Ubiquiti Unifi Wi-Fi Access Points may block the Wi-Fi onboarding of your Digital black. Disable the DPI settings on Unifi to onboard your Digital black. - The Digital black may occasionally enter a black screen state. Perform a power cycle or reset via the bottom reset pin to unblock your Digital black.
- Minor UI issues in routines with intermediate states and text misalignments.
- If you use wireless components in a Niko Home Control installation for bus wiring you can use exactly one Easywave interface per installation. Choose the USB RF interface (410-000999) or the Niko Home Control RF interface Easywave (550-00610).
- Incomplete overview of possible feedback LED outcome on the smart hub's Wi-Fi configuration page.
- In some exceptional cases, the connected dimmer for Niko Home Control (for traditional wiring) may go in error mode. Press the "MIN DIM LEVEL" button to solve the issue.
- Create a new programming file for every new installation. We do not recommend reusing a programming file which has previously been addressed and uploaded to another similar installation. This can result in a new installation that does not work.
- After each programming upload to the installation, you must log in again into the Niko Home Control app.
- Log out of all mobile devices and touchscreens before changing your password.
- Activate both mobile data and Wi-Fi on your mobile iOS devices and ensure that your battery has enough power. This is to ensure that you do not miss any calls from the external video unit. This problem could occur if the power save mode is activated.
- It can take up to 15 minutes before all touchscreens or mobile devices have reconnected with the installation after an upload, reboot of the installation or power failure (even if the device gives another status). The correct functioning of these devices can only be guaranteed after the waiting time has elapsed.
- Uploading and upgrading can be done both with a wired and wireless connection between the pc and the installation. However, we strongly recommend using the wired connection as it is more stable and safer.
- Back up your programming regularly to avoid losing data.
- It can take up to a minute in the address tab before an external video unit is detected.
- Lighting circuits used in actions which are controlled by a motion detector, may not be used in other actions. This can result in undesired behaviour.
- The energy data history will be lost when replacing the controller or an energy module.
- Contact Niko customer services if you want to replace an HVAC interface in an existing installation.
- Remove all assigned Velux or Reynaers players from a module if you want to change their position. Then reassign them to their new position on the module.
- After (un)grouping audio speakers or implementing a speaker firmware update you will automatically log out of the app.
- The diagnostics page does not show analogue sensor data.
- The diagnostics page only shows the state of the first channel of a multi-channel module.
- Wireless motion detector, Zigbee® does not allow sensitivity setting.
- Wireless motion detector, Zigbee® does not allow switch-off delay value in absence detection (10s only).
- In a very specific case, the touchscreen can get blocked in keyboard mode. Resetting the power solves the issue.
- Vaillant: when setting the heating program mode to ‘manual’, you need to wait at least one minute before the temperature can be set.
- If the Niko Home app is upgraded after your Niko Home Control installation, your motor controls won't work.
Useful information
- This software is used for programming a Niko Home Control II installation. The software is compatible with the connected controller and wireless smart hub and all products belonging to the Niko Home Control product range at the time of this release unless otherwise stated.
- In order to program the connected controller with this software, it must be upgraded first. As soon as the computer is connected with a Niko Home Control installation, the programming software will prompt to upgrade the connected controller. Only upgrade Niko Home Control II installations. The conversion of existing Niko Home Control installations is final and is not yet supported by this release. The remaining Niko Home Control modules will only be upgraded after the programming has been completely finalised and uploaded to the installation.
- Niko Home Control installations which were programmed with Niko Home Control programming software version 1.x do not need to be adjusted or upgraded. The 1.x software and apps will continue to be supported and will remain available for the programming and maintenance of existing installations. The conversion of these installations is not yet supported.
- Each installation must be registered with the MAC address and the serial number of the connected controller or wireless smart hub (see Register your installation). You will need the e-mail address and password used when registering to control the installation with mobile devices and to retrieve energy data on touchscreens. In addition, you will need an active internet connection for both applications.