2026.6.4
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Set switch override

Use this action to turn on a Genius Hub switch for a set duration, up to 24 hours. After the duration passes, the switch returns to its scheduled behavior.

Using this action from the user interface

If you prefer building automations and scripts visually, Home Assistant walks you through this action step by step. You pick what to target, tweak a few options, and save. No YAML knowledge required.

To override a switch from an automation or a script:

  1. Go to Settings > Automations & scenes.
  2. Open an existing automation or script, or select Create automation > Create new automation.
  3. If you’re setting up a new automation, add a trigger in the When section. Scripts don’t need a trigger. They run when something else calls them.
  4. In the Then do section, select Add action.
  5. Select what you want to control. Under By target (see Targets), select the switch you want to override.
  6. From the actions shown for that target, select Genius Hub: Set switch override.
  7. Optionally set a Duration.
  8. Select Save.

Options in the UI

Duration (Optional)

How long the override stays active, between 5 minutes and 24 hours. If you leave this empty, the override lasts 1 hour.

Using this action in YAML

If you work directly in YAML, or you want to know exactly what Home Assistant does under the hood, this section has the technical reference. It lists the field names you use in YAML, their types, and which ones are required.

In YAML, refer to this action as geniushub.set_switch_override. A basic example looks like this:

ActionActions are used in several places in Home Assistant. As part of a script or automation, actions define what is going to happen once a trigger is activated. In scripts, an action is called *sequence*. [Learn more] 
action: geniushub.set_switch_override
target:
  entity_id: switch.smart_plug
data:
  duration:
    minutes: 135

This turns on switch.smart_plug for 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Options in YAML

duration map

How long the override stays active, given as a time mapping such as minutes: 135. The value must be between 5 minutes and 24 hours. If you omit it, the override lasts 1 hour.

Targets of the action

This action requires a target. The target is the object of the action. You can point the action at a single entityAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more], a device, an area, a floor, or a label, and Home Assistant will run the action on every matching switch entity behind that target.

  • Entity: one specific switch entity, such as switch.living_room.
  • Device: every switch entity that belongs to a device.
  • Area: every switch entity in a room or area.
  • Floor: every switch entity on a floor.
  • Label: every switch entity that shares a label.

You can also select different target types in one action. For example, you can add a specific entity and an area as targets in the same action to run the action on both of them at once.

Try it yourself

Ready to test this? Open Developer tools > Actions, search for this action, fill in the fields, and select Perform action. You see what happens on your actual entitiesAn entity represents a sensor, actor, or function in Home Assistant. Entities are used to monitor physical properties or to control other entities. An entity is usually part of a device or a service. [Learn more] without writing a line of YAML.

Still stuck?

The Home Assistant community is quick to help: join Discord for real-time chat, post on the community forum with the action you’re calling and what you expected to happen, or share on our subreddit /r/homeassistant.

Tip

AI assistants like ChatGPT or Claude can also explain actions or suggest the right one when you describe what you want in plain language.

Related actions

These actions work well alongside this one: