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Stephano Kambeta
Stephano Kambeta

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How to Manage Home IoT Devices with Termux Scripts

#termux #iotdevices #scripts #tutorial

Smart homes are great — until you realize you have ten different apps just to control lights, cameras, and sensors. What if you could control them all from one terminal? With Termux scripts , you can manage multiple IoT devices from a single Android device, without switching between endless apps.

This guide will show you how to connect and automate your IoT devices using Termux. If you’ve tried other creative setups like quick Termux automation projects or network monitoring tools, this is the next step in making your phone a true smart home controller.

Why Use Termux for IoT Management?

  • Centralized control – No need for multiple apps, everything runs in your terminal.
  • Automation – Schedule routines like turning lights on at sunset or running a coffee machine at 7AM.
  • Security – Scripts can run over secure connections, especially if paired with a VPN for Termux.
  • Integration – Combine IoT commands with security alerts from tools like MaxPhisher educational setup or Netcat network listening.

Step 1: Prepare Termux

Start by updating Termux and installing the packages you’ll need:

pkg update && pkg upgrade -y
pkg install python -y
pkg install termux-api -y
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Python will let you use libraries like paho-mqtt for MQTT devices or requests for REST APIs. The Termux API helps with scheduling and system integration, similar to setups in Ngrok-based remote access.

Step 2: Identify Your IoT Control Protocol

Most IoT devices use one of these methods for control:

  • MQTT – Popular in smart home hubs like Home Assistant.
  • REST API – Devices that respond to web requests.
  • SSH – For smart devices running Linux (like Raspberry Pi).

If your devices are connected to a smart hub, you might already have a central API. This makes scripting much easier and safer than connecting to each device directly.

Step 3: Install Python Libraries

Depending on your IoT system, install the needed Python packages:

pip install paho-mqtt requests paramiko
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These cover MQTT messaging, web-based API calls, and SSH connections. Think of it like how different threat intelligence tools talk to different data sources.

Step 4: Example MQTT Script

If you have MQTT-enabled devices, here’s a basic script to turn a light on:

#!/data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin/python

import paho.mqtt.publish as publish

MQTT_SERVER = "192.168.1.100"
MQTT_TOPIC = "home/livingroom/light"

publish.single(MQTT_TOPIC, "ON", hostname=MQTT_SERVER)
print("Light turned ON")
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Save this as light_on.py and run with python light_on.py. You can expand it for other devices, or tie it into automation triggers like in network monitoring scripts.

Step 5: Example REST API Script

For IoT devices that respond to HTTP requests:

#!/data/data/com.termux/files/usr/bin/python

import requests

DEVICE_URL = "http://192.168.1.105/api/device/on"
response = requests.get(DEVICE_URL)

if response.status_code == 200:
    print("Device activated successfully")
else:
    print("Failed to activate device")
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Step 6: Schedule Automations

To make your IoT setup hands-free, automate your scripts with cron:

pkg install cronie -y
crontab -e
0 18 * * * python /data/data/com.termux/files/home/light_on.py
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This example turns the lights on at 6PM every day. You could combine this with OT security measures to keep industrial IoT devices safe as well.

Security Considerations

IoT devices can be weak points in your network. Always:

  • Use strong passwords and update firmware regularly.
  • Segment IoT devices on a separate VLAN.
  • Monitor for suspicious traffic — just as you would when following IT security best practices.
  • Consider using a VPN like in our Surfshark review to secure remote connections.

Practical Uses

  • Turn on garden sprinklers automatically at sunrise.
  • Lock or unlock doors remotely via secure scripts.
  • Activate security cameras when your phone leaves your home Wi-Fi network.
  • Integrate with risk-based security planning for home and office setups.

Conclusion

With Termux scripts, you can unify control of your IoT devices, add automation, and improve security — all from your Android terminal. This method works whether you have two smart devices or a fully connected home network. The flexibility of scripting also means you can integrate it with your broader cybersecurity strategy or even link it to incident alerts like in professional response setups.

Once you’ve got this running, you’ll never want to manage IoT through multiple apps again.

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