Apple HomeKit – Everything you need to control your smart home

When I started with a connected home, I didn't have the best knowledge on the best smart home system for my home. There are tons of devices designed to pair with Apple HomeKit. I'll take you through everything I learned about Apple HomeKit and what you need to know to control your Apple iHome.

What is Apple HomeKit?

Apple HomeKit is more than just a smart home platform. It's a comprehensive way to connect and control all your smart devices for your Apple iHome.

Apple HomeKit is Apple's smart home platform that works with Apple devices such as iPhone, iPad and HomePod. It can be used to control smart devices such as smart lights, smart thermostats, smart locks and more with the Apple Home App and Siri voice control.

Apple HomeKit is very strict with what devices are compatible. Devices like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are not compatible but with time, inevitably third-party solutions arose.

Find out how I add HomeKit incompatible smart home devices to Apple HomeKit.

How to Use Apple HomeKit?

Using Apple HomeKit can be mainly done by:

What can I do with Apple HomeKit?

These are my personal favourite things to use Apple HomeKit for:

The possibilities are endless with its growing list of compatible devices and integration with other Apple products.

What is the Apple Home App?

I control my smart home devices easily and securely with the Apple Home App on my iPhone. I pick accessories labeled “Works with Apple HomeKit” or other Apple HomeKit compatible devices. In the iOS Home app, I use Siri voice assistant to control everything, manage devices together, and organize by room.

To get HomeKit on Apple TV, I set it up as a HomeKit Hub: went to Settings > Accounts, signed in to iCloud with my Apple ID (same as my iOS device), and it connected as my home hub.

For Apple Home Key Compatible Locks, check our Apple HomeKit / Home Key Compatible Locks article.

What are some Apple Smart Speakers and Apple Smart Displays?

Apple Smart Speakers

Here are some of my favourite Apple smart speakers:

Apple HomePod Mini

The Apple HomePod Mini is the best HomeKit Speaker, Apple’s most adorable smart speaker with attractive design, excellent audio, and massive radiators. It's one of my top HomeKit devices that acts as a HomeKit hub. I linked mine with Apple TV 4K and paired them in stereo. It integrates seamlessly with my iPhone and Apple ecosystem, plus it has away mode: when I'm not home, it turns on lamps to make it seem like I am. I also set up my HomePod Mini as an Apple HomeKit Hub.

Apple HomePod 2

My Apple HomePod 2 enhances my smart home with its intelligent Home Assistant - Siri. It delivers immersive, high-fidelity audio. This powerhouse smart speaker amps up everything I hear.

Features:

• Room-filling oomph
• Hits the high notes
• Optimizes acoustics in real time
• Stronger support for Dolby Atmos music

Apple Smart Display

Apple integrates HomeKit controls into streaming devices. I bring together all my favorite streaming apps like Apple TV+, Apple Music, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Arcade on my Apple TV 4K. It's the best streaming device for me.

Features:

What are the Best HomeKit enabled devices for Apple iHome?

Many leading brands offer devices compatible with Apple HomeKit. Apple HomeKit compatible accessories keep getting smarter, and the list is growing as Apple introduces more for Apple HomeKit.

This includes Air Conditioners, Air Purifiers, Bridges, Cameras, Doorbells, Fans, Faucets, Garage Doors, Humidifiers, Lights, Locks, Outlets, Receivers, Routers, Security, Sensors, Smart Home Speakers, Sprinklers, Switches, Thermostats, TVs, and even Windows. Under each type, many brands work with these Apple HomeKit devices.

Here are a few devices compatible with Apple HomeKit.

Ecobee (5th-Gen)

I control my home temperature with the Ecobee 5th generation, the best Apple HomeKit enabled thermostat for HomeKit users. It works with Spotify for background sound.

Integrated with HomeKit, I control it from anywhere via smartphone. It has improved remote sensors and a better speaker. When I'm home, it detects temperature and adjusts accordingly using the sensors.

Wemo WiFi Smart Plug

The Wemo WiFi Smart Plug is a more attractive smart plug compatible with Apple HomeKit. I made my dumb appliances smart with it. It's a more affordable smart plug with an improved footprint.

Lifx Mini Smart Bulb

My Lifx Mini Smart Bulb ranks among the best Google Home Devices, best Alexa compatible devices, and best Apple HomeKit compatible smart light bulbs. It's a significantly smaller, lighter, egg-sized smart light bulb.

It connects directly to Wi-Fi without a smart home hub. I easily control and schedule it using the Lifx app. Lifx Mini is a good option for smart homeowners like me.

Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch Starter Kit

The Lutron Caseta Dimmer Switch Starter Kit is the best dimmer switch for HomeKit users like me. It works with any table or desk lamp, so I converted dumb devices into smart ones with it.

It dims bulbs too, not just on/off. The kit includes a remote, and I control it with Siri. It's more expensive than others, but worth it since it requires very limited input.

Kwikset Premis

In my iOS/Apple ecosystem, the Kwikset Premis lock is incredible. Its Smartkey features and customizable codes make sharing home access easy.

With my newer Apple TV or HomePod, it works perfectly. It protects against intruders with alarms for incorrect codes and lockdown mode. Using the Premis App, I check door lock status. Apple’s end-to-end encryption secures my communications.

Yale Assure Lock

My Yale Assure SL smart lock is Apple HomeKit Enabled with a small, clean design. It connects to any smart home hubs and security systems via its radio offerings. With my Apple TV as HomeKit hub or security system, I integrate, monitor, and control it remotely.

As mentioned, many options exist like Apple HomeKit doorbells, Apple HomeKit cameras, Apple HomeKit hubs, Apple HomeKit door locks, and Apple HomeKit thermostats.

There are many Apple HomeKit devices such as Apple HomeKit Camera, Apple HomeKit Security System, Apple HomeKit TV, and more.

How to add non HomeKit devices to Apple HomeKit?

I used these options to test out the best option.

1. Software Based Solution - AddtoHomeKit, Homebridge
2. Hardware Based Solutions - ATH Bridge, HOOBS, Raspberry Pi, Athom Homey Pro

AddtoHomeKit - My Favourite Option

I found a simple way to add smart home devices to HomeKit, AddtoHomeKit. This web app allows you to add any smart device to Apple HomeKit. It has a thousands of plugins and also step guides that allowed me to create any smart device HomeKit integration.

ATH Bridge

I needed an affordable way to connect non-HomeKit compatible smart home devices to HomeKit, so I used ATH Bridge. It lets me control them with Siri and the Apple Home App.

Homebridge

I integrated non-HomeKit compatible smart home devices with Apple HomeKit using Homebridge. It's a lightweight NodeJS server supporting over 2000 Homebridge plugins.

How to Add Any Smart Home Device to Homekit [Step Guide]

Control any smart device with iOS Home App & Siri. Find the best ways to connect any smart device to HomeKit.

Add To HomeKitOliver H

HOOBS

HOOBS is the best alternative for Homebridge. It is a plug and play hub. It also makes smart home devices compatible with Apple HomeKit.

Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi is a tiny and cheap computer that runs on Linux. It is the cheapest solution to add any smart home devices to Apple HomeKit.

Matter

Matter is a new smart home connectivity standard that works across HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant. It supports existing Apple devices on iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, and tvOS 16.1. My Apple Home app and Siri voice assistant handle Matter too. Yeah, I've enhanced my setup with Apple HomeKit Matter supported devices.

Now I know how to integrate non-Apple HomeKit compatible smart home devices.

Does Apple HomeKit require a hub?

I use the Apple Home app to control Wi-Fi or Bluetooth-enabled HomeKit compatible devices at home. Just tap to turn them on or off.

Away from home or for extras, I rely on my HomePod or iPad (iOS 10+), or 3rd/4th gen Apple TV (tvOS 9+). Some devices connect via hub over Wi-Fi, others Bluetooth. For 30+ feet range, my Bluetooth extender bridges to Wi-Fi.

With a HomeKit hub, I control everything remotely from work, school, or vacation. Like cameras, temperature, and emergency lights. Without one, it only works at home, but my Apple TV, Homepod, or iPad acts as a HomeKit hub to keep me covered.

What Are the Best Siri HomeKit Commands?

As an Apple HomeKit owner, I rely on Siri. If you're new, no worries. The Siri voice assistant is my voice-controlled personal assistant that handles everything.

I just talk to her on my iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, HomePod, Apple Watch, or Mac. She shows info, answers questions, runs commands, and accesses apps like Messages, Mail, Contacts, Maps, and more.

Voice control beats everything for smart home devices. Commands start with "Hey, Siri.."

“Set the temperature to 65 degrees”

“Turn on the lights”

“Turn off the lights”

“Set the brightness to 75%”

“Dim the lights”

“Set my bedtime scene”

“Turn on the coffee maker”

“Lock the front door”

“Open the garage door”

“Set the thermostat downstairs to 60”

How to Set Up the Remote Control?

To set up HomeKit, I opened the Home app on my iOS device and tapped the plus button top right. Then I added devices or created scenes.

Scenes trigger devices together, like turning off all lights and locking the front door at bedtime. Setup for HomeKit compatible devices is simple: scan a QR code, then use Siri voice commands.

HomeKit skips Google Assistant or Alexa, but with more Apple HomeKit accessories and Apple's user base, it's convenient for Apple users starting smart homes.

What Are Some Apple HomeKit 2026 Updates

I've been following the Apple HomeKit 2026 updates closely, and they bring exciting changes for smart home users like me.

According to Apple, it ended support for the old HomeKit architecture on February 10, 2026, forcing the new Home app version. This adds guest access, robot vacuum support, Activity History, and faster performance for large HomeKit and Matter setups.

Expect five new devices: HomePad (7-inch touchscreen hub with A18 chip, Apple Intelligence, TrueDepth camera), Apple's first HomeKit security camera, HomePod mini 2 (S10 chip, U2 ultra-wideband), Apple TV 4K (4th gen with A17 Pro), and a video doorbell.

Matter integration deepens across HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant via HomePod, Apple TV 4K, and iOS/iPadOS/tvOS updates. The HomePad hub enables advanced automations, presence detection, and HomeKit Secure Video.

These Apple HomeKit 2026 updates make adding non-native devices easier than ever.

Editor's Pick

With my iPhone, HomeKit fits perfectly. Apple lets third-party manufacturers make smart devices HomeKit-friendly, with stricter security than Google Assistant or Alexa.

The Home app is a powerful smart home manager. It offers more automation and control options than Alexa, on par with SmartThings. For luxury at home or easy Apple iHome setup, Apple HomeKit is ideal.