Overview
Universal Notifier is a Home Assistant integration that consolidates all notification channels into a single service. It supports Telegram, Alexa, Google Home, SMS, push notifications, and more, allowing you to send the same message to multiple targets with one call.
Key Features
- Multi‑channel delivery (text and voice)
- Priority handling and “Do Not Disturb” windows
- Time‑based volume control for voice devices
- Simple YAML configuration
- One‑click installation via HACS
Installation & Setup
1. Open HACS and search for “Universal Notifier”.
2. Click “Install” – the process is a single click.
3. Restart Home Assistant.
4. Add the integration manually in configuration.yaml using the provided template.
Configuration Basics
The YAML file defines time slots, channels, quiet hours, and priority rules. A minimal example looks like this:
universal_notifier:-
default_targets: -
- telegram_admin -
- my_phone -
quiet_hours: -
start: "22:00" -
end: "07:00"
Using in Automations
Instead of calling each service separately, use the single universal_notifier.send service. Example:
action:-
- service: universal_notifier.send -
data: -
message: "Front door opened!" -
priority: true -
skip_greeting: true -
targets: -
- my_phone -
- telegram_admin
Advanced Capabilities
Universal Notifier can adjust voice volume based on the time of day, mute announcements during quiet hours, and still allow critical alerts to break through. This is useful for smoke detectors, leak sensors, or security alarms.
Benefits for Smart Homes
• Reduces complexity by centralising notification logic.
• Guarantees that high‑priority alerts are never missed.
• Leverages existing hardware (smart speakers, phones, lights) for both silent and audible alerts.
• Works with custom voice solutions or locally‑hosted LLMs for natural‑language announcements.
Conclusion
Universal Notifier transforms Home Assistant’s fragmented notification system into a cohesive, priority‑aware platform. With minimal setup, you gain reliable, multi‑channel alerts that respect quiet times while still delivering critical information when it matters most.