home-assistant.io/source/_docs/configuration/customizing-devices.markdown

title	description	related
Customizing entities	Simple customization for entities.	docs /integrations/homeassistant/ docs title /docs/configuration/ configuration.yaml file docs /docs/configuration/troubleshooting/ docs /docs/organizing/labels/

Customizing an entity

After adding a new device, you might find the automatically assigned entity ID too technical and the entity lacking a friendly name. You can personalize these elements to better fit your naming conventions or modify other attributes like the icon.

To change entity attributes, follow these steps:

1. Go to {% my entities title="Settings > Devices & services > Entities" %} and select the entity from the list.

2. In the top right corner, select the cog icon.

   

3. Enter or edit the attributes:

   • For example, the entity ID here could be shortened to binary_sensor.living_room_motion_1.
     • Do not change the domain of the entity - the part before the . (binary_sensor, in this example).
     • You can use lowercase letters, numbers, and underscores.
     • The ID must not start or end with an underscore.
   • Enter or edit the friendly name.
   • If needed, from the Shown as menu, you can select a different device class.
   • If you like, add a label.

   

4. To apply the changes, select Update.

5. If you have used this entity in automations and scripts, you need to rename the entity ID there, too.

   • Go to {% my automations title="Settings > Automations & Scenes" %} open the respective tab and find your automation or script.

Customizing an entity in YAML

If your entity is not supported, or you could not customize what you need via the user interface, you need to edit the settings in your {% term "configuration.yaml" %} file. For a detailed description of the entity configuration variables and device class information, refer to the Home Assistant Core integration documentation.