As home automation becomes more popular, many users find the need to access their Home Assistant Server remotely. In the past, this meant exposing your server to the internet, which is not secure. Fortunately, with the help of DuckDNS and Let’s Encrypt, you can access your Home Assistant Server remotely without risking your security.

DuckDNS is a free service that allows you to create a domain name that points to your Home Assistant Server’s IP address. This domain name is accessible from anywhere in the world, and it is updated every time your IP address changes. Let’s Encrypt, on the other hand, is a free certificate authority that provides SSL/TLS certificates to secure your domain name.

To set up remote access for your Home Assistant Server using DuckDNS and Let’s Encrypt, follow these steps:

1. Set up a DuckDNS account

Create an account on DuckDNS and choose a unique subdomain name. This subdomain will be used to access your Home Assistant Server remotely.

2. Install DuckDNS add-on in Home Assistant

In the Home Assistant web interface, go to the Add-on Store and search for DuckDNS. Install the add-on and configure it with your DuckDNS account credentials and subdomain name.

3. Secure your domain with Let’s Encrypt

In the Home Assistant web interface, navigate to the “Configuration” tab and click on “SSL Certificates”. Choose the Let’s Encrypt option and fill in the required information, including your email address.

4. Configure your router to forward ports

You will need to forward port 443 to your Home Assistant Server’s IP address in your router’s settings. This will allow you to access your Home Assistant Server remotely using a secure connection.

5. Test your remote access

Go to your DuckDNS subdomain name from a remote location and make sure you are able to access your Home Assistant Server securely.

By following these simple steps, you can now access your Home Assistant Server remotely without compromising your security. You can now monitor and control your home automation devices and systems from anywhere in the world using a secure connection.