Battery Level Deprecation In Home Assistant: What You Need To Know

Aug 7, 2025 by Felix Dubois 67 views

Battery Level Deprecation in Home Assistant: A Comprehensive Guide and Shark IQ Integration Issue

Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into a critical update in Home Assistant that you need to be aware of, especially if you're using vacuum integrations like Shark IQ. The battery_level and battery_icon properties within the StateVacuumEntity are being deprecated. This means some changes are coming, and it's essential to understand what's happening and how to adapt. We'll break down the issue, explore the implications, and discuss how to ensure your smart home setup remains smooth and efficient. Let's get started!

Understanding the Deprecation

So, what's all the fuss about battery level deprecation? In Home Assistant Core 2025.8, the developers announced that the battery_level and battery_icon properties in StateVacuumEntity are being phased out. This might sound technical, but it essentially means that the way your vacuum's battery status is reported to Home Assistant is changing. The goal here is to improve the system's overall structure and make things more consistent across different devices and integrations.

Why this change? Well, the current method of directly embedding battery information within the vacuum entity isn't the most efficient or flexible. By moving to a separate sensor with the battery sensor device class, Home Assistant can handle battery information in a more standardized way. This allows for better integration with other battery-powered devices and opens the door for more advanced features and automations. Think of it as streamlining the process to make everything work better together.

To give everyone time to adjust, there's a one-year deprecation period. This means the old properties will continue to work until Home Assistant Core 2026.8. But after that, they'll stop functioning, so it's crucial to make the necessary updates before then. Don't worry, we're here to help you through it!

The Impact on Integrations Like Shark IQ

One of the integrations specifically mentioned in the deprecation notice is Shark IQ. If you're using a Shark IQ robot vacuum with Home Assistant, this change directly affects you. Currently, the Shark IQ integration likely uses the deprecated battery_level and battery_icon properties to display your vacuum's battery status. Once the deprecation period ends, this information will no longer be available unless the integration is updated.

This is where things get a bit technical, but bear with me. The new approach involves creating a separate sensor entity specifically for battery information. This sensor should have the battery device class, which tells Home Assistant that it's dealing with battery data. Optionally, you can also customize the icon if you don't like the default battery icon. Additionally, if your vacuum reports charging status, you can create a binary sensor with the charging device class to indicate whether the device is currently charging.

For Shark IQ users, this means the integration needs to be updated to remove the old properties and implement the new sensor-based approach. This might involve changes to the integration's code, so it's something that the integration developers need to handle. However, as users, we can help by reporting the issue and encouraging developers to make the necessary updates.

Detailed Look at the Issue: Shark IQ and Battery Reporting

Let's dive deeper into the specific issue reported for the Shark IQ integration. The user who raised the issue is running Home Assistant OS and noticed the deprecation warnings in their logs. These warnings are clear indicators that the Shark IQ integration is using the deprecated battery_level property.

The logs show messages like:

Logger: homeassistant.helpers.frame
Source: helpers/frame.py:307
First occurred: 3:59:00 PM (2 occurrences)
Last logged: 3:59:00 PM

Detected that integration 'sharkiq' is setting the battery_level which has been deprecated. Integration sharkiq should implement a sensor instead with a correct device class and link it to the same device. This will stop working in Home Assistant 2026.8, please create a bug report at https://github.com/home-assistant/core/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%22integration%3A+sharkiq%22
Detected that integration 'sharkiq' is setting the battery supported feature which has been deprecated. Integration sharkiq should remove this as part of migrating the battery level and icon to a sensor. This will stop working in Home Assistant 2026.8, please create a bug report at https://github.com/home-assistant/core/issues?q=is%3Aopen+is%3Aissue+label%3A%22integration%3A+sharkiq%22

These logs explicitly state that the sharkiq integration is setting the battery_level and a deprecated battery supported feature, which needs to be addressed. The logs also provide a helpful link to create a bug report on GitHub, making it easier for users to report the issue and for developers to track it.

The key takeaway here is that if you're seeing these warnings in your logs, it's a sign that the integration you're using needs to be updated. Ignoring these warnings means that your battery information might stop working in the future, so it's best to take action now.

How to Address the Deprecation

So, what can you do about this? Here’s a step-by-step guide to addressing the battery_level deprecation:

Identify Affected Integrations: The first step is to figure out which integrations are using the deprecated properties. Check your Home Assistant logs for warnings similar to the ones mentioned above. These warnings will tell you exactly which integrations are affected.
Report the Issue: If you find an integration using the deprecated properties, the next step is to report the issue to the integration developers. Most integrations have a GitHub repository where you can create a new issue. Provide as much detail as possible, including the Home Assistant version you're using, the integration version, and the exact warning messages you're seeing. This helps developers understand the problem and fix it more quickly.
Monitor for Updates: Once you've reported the issue, keep an eye on the integration's repository for updates. Developers often release new versions to address deprecation warnings and other issues. Make sure to update your integration to the latest version once a fix is available.
Consider Temporary Workarounds (If Necessary): In some cases, you might need a temporary workaround until the integration is officially updated. This could involve creating a custom sensor to extract the battery information from the vacuum entity. However, this is a more advanced solution and might not be necessary if the integration developers are actively working on a fix.
Educate Yourself: Stay informed about Home Assistant updates and deprecations. The Home Assistant blog and community forums are great resources for learning about upcoming changes and best practices. Knowing what's coming down the line can help you prepare and avoid surprises.

The Technical Details: Migrating to the New Sensor

For those who are technically inclined or are integration developers, let's delve into the specifics of migrating to the new sensor-based approach. The key is to replace the direct battery_level property with a separate sensor entity.

Here's a breakdown of the steps involved:

Create a Battery Sensor: The first step is to create a new sensor entity specifically for the battery level. This sensor should have the battery device class. The device class tells Home Assistant what type of data the sensor is reporting, which helps with automatic formatting and integration with other components.
Set the State: The state of the sensor should be the battery percentage, represented as a number between 0 and 100. This is the same information that was previously provided by the battery_level property.
Customize the Icon (Optional): If you want to customize the icon, you can use the icon property to specify a different icon. However, the default battery icon provided by the battery device class is usually sufficient.
Add a Charging Binary Sensor (Optional): If your device reports charging status, you can create a binary sensor with the charging device class. This sensor should be on when the device is charging and off when it's not.
Link the Sensor to the Device: It's important to link the new sensor to the same device as the vacuum entity. This ensures that the battery information is associated with the correct device in Home Assistant. You can do this by setting the device_info property of the sensor to match the device info of the vacuum entity.

By following these steps, you can ensure that your integration is compliant with the new requirements and that your battery information continues to work after the deprecation period.

Real-World Examples and Use Cases

To further illustrate the importance of this change, let's look at some real-world examples and use cases. Imagine you have a smart home dashboard that displays the status of all your devices, including your robot vacuum. If the battery information stops working due to the deprecation, your dashboard will suddenly show incorrect or missing data. This can be frustrating and make it harder to manage your smart home.

Another use case is automations. Many users create automations based on battery levels, such as sending a notification when the vacuum's battery is low or automatically starting a cleaning cycle when the battery is fully charged. If the battery information is not properly reported, these automations will fail to work correctly.

By migrating to the new sensor-based approach, you can ensure that these scenarios continue to function as expected. The standardized battery sensor allows for more reliable and consistent reporting, which is crucial for a seamless smart home experience.

Conclusion

The deprecation of battery_level in Home Assistant is an important change that aims to improve the system's architecture and consistency. While it might seem like a minor detail, it's crucial to address it to ensure your smart home continues to function smoothly. For users of integrations like Shark IQ, it's essential to report the issue to the developers and monitor for updates.

By understanding the issue, following the steps outlined in this guide, and staying informed about Home Assistant updates, you can navigate this transition with ease. Remember, the goal is to create a more robust and reliable smart home experience for everyone. Let's embrace these changes and keep our smart homes running at their best! And as always, if you have any questions or need further assistance, don't hesitate to reach out to the Home Assistant community. We're all in this together, guys!