Should I Upgrade to Control4 X4?

What to Know About the New Operating System & Interface

If you’re currently using Control4 OS 3 in your home, you’ve likely come to appreciate its intuitive interface and handy control of lights, climate, security, and entertainment. But OS 3 debuted in 2019. If that’s the last time you upgraded, you’re missing out on Control4’s new X4 interface. With X4, the bar for smart home convenience and customization just got much higher.

So what’s new, and why should you consider upgrading?

 X4 Gives You More Control, Without the Integrator

Traditionally, making changes to your home automation system meant calling your Control4 dealer (in the Lake Tahoe area, that’s us at Sierra Integrated Systems). And while we’re always here for expansions and support, the X4 interface gives homeowners more self-sufficiency than ever.

With the addition of Routines and Widgets, Control4 now puts everyday customization in your hands. Routines automate activities like “Morning,” “Workout,” or “Evening,” while Widgets let you create quick shortcuts on the home screen for your most-used scenes or devices.

Let’s say your schedule changes and you want your shades to lower an hour later in the morning. Or maybe you’re spending more time out of town, and want to adjust your landscape lighting settings to make it appear you’re always home. With X4, you can change that on the fly, no service call needed.

A Modern, Minimalist Design for Simpler Navigation

Control4 X4 looks and feels like the kind of polished interface you’d expect from high-end smart technology, modernized for 2025. The home screen now centralizes your entire system, making it easier to navigate between Rooms, System Control, Sessions (like music or video playback), and Settings.

The design is minimalist and clean, and it’s clearly designed to scale as your home system grows. Whether you have a single residence or manage multiple properties, the Property Selector in the top-left corner makes it easy to toggle between homes.

A Big Win for Apple Users

For those invested in the Apple ecosystem, Control4 X4 delivers significant integration improvements compared to OS 3. You can now control your home through Apple HomeKit, Siri, your iPhone’s Control Center, your Mac, and even CarPlay while pulling into the driveway. Scenes like “Leaving Home” or “Good Night” can now be triggered hands-free through Siri.

OS 3 Was Solid, But X4 Is Smarter

Control4 OS 3 brought a welcome design refresh, customizable Favorites, and real-time icons to track device status. It was a leap ahead from OS 2, but X4 builds on that with more dynamic control, better visuals, and features that actually reduce the need for ongoing adjustments by an integrator.

The new Quick Actions bar puts controls like lighting, comfort, and media at your fingertips, while the Routine Gallery provides pre-set scenes you can adopt and customize. It's smart tech that truly supports your day-to-day lifestyle.

Is It Time to Upgrade?

If your system is running OS 3.4.2 or older, the X4 platform will eventually replace your current app and interface. Upgrading now means getting ahead of the curve with a cleaner, more customizable system that keeps up with your evolving needs.

For Sierra clients already enjoying Control4, X4 is a natural next step, one that brings even more control, speed, and simplicity to your everyday experience.

Have questions about upgrading? Let’s talk. We’ll walk you through what to expect and make sure your transition is seamless.