0.5.8
Languages, Browser, IR and BLE ADV
Ava 0.5.8 improves the semantic translations for Russian, German and Vietnamese, with extra polish for the Russian interface. Thanks to users from these regions for the feedback. If a term still feels unclear, the Ava Wiki or related encyclopedia pages can help explain the concept.
This release also fixes browser display issues. Devices using System WebView can update Ava directly. Devices using the GeckoView engine pack should update the engine pack from Ava Settings -> Browser -> Render Engine / Engine Pack Management to avoid display problems caused by an older engine package.
IR Blaster
New mod: IR Blaster (ESPHome)
Path: Ava Settings -> Mod Store -> Devices -> IR Blaster (ESPHome)
This mod turns an Android device with infrared transmitting capability into a native Home Assistant infrared transmitter. It is exposed through the ESPHome native API and can be discovered by Home Assistant as an infrared emitter.
It targets the Home Assistant 2026.4+ infrared platform. Home Assistant 2026.6 also added receive/listen capabilities to the platform; this Ava release focuses on IR transmit control.
Typical use cases include TVs, air conditioners, amplifiers, speakers, fans and other devices controlled by infrared remotes. Some Xiaomi/Redmi devices and older Samsung Galaxy devices, such as Galaxy S4/S5/S6 and Note 3/Note 4, include built-in IR hardware. Most recent mainstream Samsung Galaxy models no longer include an IR blaster. USB-C IR adapters can also be used, depending on the adapter, system driver, permission state and device support.
BLE ADV Proxy
New mod: BLE ADV Proxy
Path: Ava Settings -> Mod Store -> Features -> BLE ADV Proxy
Thanks to @realroywalker for the long testing cycle and packet captures in #96. This mod connects Ava with ha-ble-adv and esphome-ble_adv_proxy, allowing Ava to control BLE advertising based lights, ceiling fans and remote-control devices.
When this mod is enabled, Ava disables and hides the built-in Bluetooth proxy. This avoids competition between Bluetooth scanning, advertising and proxy forwarding, which would otherwise reduce reliability.
Sticky Note
New mod: Sticky Note
Path: Ava Settings -> Mod Store -> Features -> Sticky Note
Home Assistant can push persistent on-screen text to Ava. The note supports color selection, size adjustment, saved drag position and one-tap clearing. It is useful for family messages, temporary reminders, doorbell notes, laundry completion alerts, medication reminders and other visible automation output.
Voice Calls From Home Assistant
Home Assistant can now start Ava voice calls, video calls and voice messages directly. Hang up and redial actions are also supported.
Path: Ava Settings -> Interaction -> Voice Messages & Calls -> Control in Home Assistant
Thanks to @deergitseason for Discussion #101. More examples are available in the Voice Messages & Calls Wiki.
Backup, Browser and Devices
New backup and restore page: Ava Settings -> Experimental -> Backup & Restore. Thanks to @lorbi / Kristian from the Home Assistant community. This helps copy configuration across multiple tablets.
This release also fixes custom:webrtc-camera fullscreen behavior and adds browser download handling.
New Phicomm R1 support is available at Ava Settings -> Mod Store -> Devices -> Phicomm R1, including LED ring, wake direction lights, music RGB, top key support and optional 4-mic DOA.
Facebook Portal support was improved. Thanks to @lone-baggie and @deergitseason for testing #100. Presence Detection no longer turns itself off after 15 seconds. Portal first-boot wake-word issues were also fixed; thanks to @deergitseason for #104.
General stability was improved across service initialization, browser display, mDNS registration and voice channel loading. Bluetooth RSSI threshold adjustment now gives faster feedback.
