General
What is SharKNX?
SharKNX is a KNX toolkit for your phone, tablet, or PC. It lets you open ETS projects, monitor the KNX bus, send commands, diagnose and address devices, and run repeatable test routines called Shark Hunts - on site, without a laptop running ETS.
Is SharKNX a replacement for ETS?
No. SharKNX is a mobile companion for on-site monitoring, diagnostics, and commissioning - not a full ETS replacement. It is built for professionals who already work with KNX systems.
Which platforms is SharKNX available on?
SharKNX is available on Android (7.0 and later) via Google Play, on iPhone, iPad (iOS 15 and later), and Mac (macOS 13 and later) via the App Store, and on Windows 10 and later via the Microsoft Store.
Which languages does the app support?
SharKNX is available in English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, and Simplified Chinese.
Is SharKNX free?
On Android, iOS, and macOS, SharKNX is free to download and includes a free plan: unlimited ETS project browsing, bus connection, and live monitoring of the last 20 telegrams, plus 3 sends and 10 assistant prompts per day. Monthly and yearly subscriptions (each with a 14-day free trial) or a one-time lifetime purchase remove the daily limits and unlock device tools and Shark Hunts. On Windows, SharKNX is a one-time paid download from the Microsoft Store with every feature included. See Subscription Plans.
Does SharKNX require a cloud connection?
No. KNX communication happens on your local network, and your project data stays on your device. On Android, iOS, and macOS, the internet is only needed to verify your plan with Google Play or the App Store - once when you first install the app, and occasionally after that for subscriptions. Day-to-day KNX work does not use a cloud backend.
ETS projects
Can I open ETS .knxproj files on my phone?
Yes. SharKNX lets you import and browse .knxproj files on mobile - view group addresses, topology, buildings, devices, and communication objects while working on site. Password-protected projects are supported; the app asks for the password during import. See How to Load an ETS Project.
Do I need an ETS project to use SharKNX?
No. Without a project you can still connect to a gateway, monitor the bus, and send commands using raw group addresses - telegrams just show addresses and hex payloads instead of names and decoded values. Loading a project adds names, datapoint types, and decoded values everywhere. See ETS Projects in SharKNX.
Connecting to the bus
Which KNX interfaces does SharKNX work with?
SharKNX connects to KNX IP interfaces and routers over your network, using KNXnet/IP tunneling or routing. USB interfaces are not supported. The app can discover gateways automatically or connect to one you enter manually - see How to Connect to a KNX Gateway.
Does SharKNX support KNX IP Secure and Data Secure?
Yes. SharKNX supports KNX IP Secure (credentials from .knxkeys or .knxproj) and KNX Data Secure for viewing, sending, and managing secure telegrams and devices.
Can I record and export bus traffic?
Yes. The bus monitor shows telegrams live, decoded with your project's names and datapoint types. You can plot values over time and export telegrams as an XML communication log that opens directly in ETS, or as a CSV table. SharKNX can also import CSV exports and ETS bus monitor logs (.xml) for review on your phone. See How to Export Telegrams.
What DPT types are supported?
SharKNX decodes 60 KNX main datapoint types in the bus monitor and supports command composition for 30 of them, covering switching, dimming, temperature, RGB, and scenes. See Supported Datapoint Types for the full list.
Devices and commissioning
Can I program KNX devices with SharKNX?
Yes - in part. SharKNX lets you program device individual addresses from your phone, which helps streamline commissioning on larger projects. Full application program download and parameter programming are not currently supported.
Can I find which devices are in programming mode?
Yes. The programming mode scan lists every device whose programming button is pressed, so you can identify a device physically and then assign its address. You can also scan a whole bus line to see which individual addresses respond.
Can I check and manage devices on site without booting up my laptop?
For the everyday tasks, yes. Confirm a device is on the bus, read its info, restart it, or toggle programming mode - straight from your phone, while your laptop is still in the van. SharKNX is for the moments when you need an answer now, not after a boot sequence. See How to Inspect a Device.
Shark Hunts and the assistant
What is a Shark Hunt?
A Shark Hunt is a saved routine of send and monitor actions - for example, switching a group of lights and watching for the expected status responses. Build it once, then run it on every site visit or after every change. See The Shark Hunt Concept.
Does the assistant need an internet connection?
No. The assistant runs entirely on your device - nothing is sent to a cloud service. Type requests such as Find gateways, Scan line 1.1, Read 1/2/3, or Show project info, and it works with your connected gateway and loaded project. Prompts are in English, whatever language the app is set to. See The SharKNX Assistant.
Are there limits on hunts, commands, or requests?
Yes, a few fixed limits keep the app fast and the bus free of runaway traffic - for example, up to 25 saved Shark Hunts and 15 commands per action. They are all listed in Limits.
