The Home Assistant Update 2025.1 released on 3.1.2025 brings some improvements to the user interface, such as quick device access, zoom function for charts, customizable dashboard backgrounds and an improved backup. It also introduces new integrations such as Cookidoo and EHEIM Digital and optimizes existing functions based on user feedback from the "What the Heck?" initiative. Unmentioned in the current release notes is the new Sankey Card and Back and Next buttons available in the history (also for mobile).

Improvements to the user interface

The user interface has undergone significant improvements in this version:

• Also new is a function for zooming charts:
  
  

  The zoom function could be further optimized in future updates, see also: Home Assistant history: scroll- zoom function

• Although this change did not make it into the release notes, it should not go unmentioned: Back and forward buttons for the history also for mobile devices:
  
  see: New: Home Assistant history: forward and back buttons
• Sankey-Chart-Card: As a future innovation planned for the Energy Dashboard, the Sankey-Chart-Card can already be integrated manually via "type: energy-sankey" in a separate Energy Dashboard:
  
  For building a separate Energy-Dashboard, see also: https://www.home-assistant.io/dashboards/energy/
• Pressing the 'd' button provides quick access to all devices:
  
• Customizable background images for dashboards now offer more options for design through tiling, transparency and more.
  

• A new volume slider for the Tile card to make it easier to control media playback devices directly from the dashboard. 

Backups

Home Assistant version 2025.1 brings with it a complete overhaul of the backup system. Automated backups can now be created regularly according to a configurable frequency. A new overview page shows when the last backup was created and when the next one is scheduled. In addition, all backups are encrypted by default (AES-128) and require a secure key to restore. Home Assistant Cloud subscribers can also store their encrypted backups in their cloud storage. The backup system is expandable so that different storage solutions can be integrated in the future, and a retention policy supports the automatic deletion of old backups. A new setup wizard helps with the initial configuration of these functions.

New integrations and improvements

In addition to the UI changes, the new release also brings numerous new integrations and improvements to existing integrations:

• New integrations include Cookidoo, a shopping list management platform for Thermomix recipes, and EHEIM Digital for controlling aquarium devices.
• Improvements to existing integrations include enhanced sensor functions for Palazzetti and Starlink and new media control functions for Cambridge Audio.

WTH initiative: improvements based on user feedback

Based on user feedback during the month of the "What the Heck?!" initiative, a few problematic or missing functions have already been addressed:

• Ability to assign categories and labels directly when creating automations or scripts.
• Improved filter options within tables to quickly find specific labels.
• Controlling the default exposure for new entities in Assist.

Sources:

• https://www.home-assistant.io/blog/2025/01/03/release-20251
• https://github.com/home-assistant/frontend/pull/23002
• https://github.com/home-assistant/frontend/pull/23228

Conclusion

The Home Assistant 2025.1 release brings numerous improvements to the user experience and provides better control options for smart home environments. These improvements are the direct result of feedback from the community and take the user experience to a new level. Further details on all changes and new features can be found in the Home Assistant release notes.