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How to add ESPHome Devices to Apple HomeKit

Amanda Jones

— 5 min read
How to add ESPHome Devices to Apple HomeKit

Here's the best methods to add ESPHome devices to HomeKit. Control your ESPHome devices with your Apple Home App and Siri with this guide. Also, these are the best solutions I have found so far.  

Let’s jump right into it!  

How to add ESPHome Devices to HomeKit

ESPHome is a simple system that allows users to control ESP boards using YAML configuration files. It allows you to quickly and easily build custom firmware for sensors and devices without any programming skills. 

AddToHomeKit [Recommended Solution]

ATH Bridge

HOOBS

Homebridge

AddtoHomeKit — Best Recommended Solution

If you need to add your ESPHome devices to Apple HomeKit, I suggest the AddtoHomeKit is the best solution to it from my experience. Because if you use this, you have very few steps to follow when adding devices to HomeKit through AddtoHomeKit. 

AddtoHomeKit is very easy to use. It is less time-consuming, low on effort, perfect for you, especially if you have a busy lifestyle. It really does not matter if you want to add a ESPHome Dimmer to HomeKit or even a ESPHome smart plug to HomeKit, AddtoHomeKit is perfect for both.

Why AddtoHomeKit is the Best?

  • Very simple and requires little effort and time.
  • User-friendly.
  • No coding is required.
  • Premium service.
  • It has more than 200 devices enabling them to plug in.
  • Offers seamless integration.

Now let's see the alternative methods to get started with ESPHome HomeKit.

Alternative Methods to Add ESPHome devices to HomeKit

While AddtoHomeKit can also be used to add any Ring doorbell to Apple HomeKit as much as a ESPHome apple HomeKit integration. The below solutions can also be used to not only add ESPHome integration but also add any Nuki smart devices to Apple HomeKit.  

ATH Bridge [Affordable Solution]

To give a brief explanation, ATH Bridge is a device solution. It is a pre-flashed and compiled server designed to seamlessly and effortlessly integrate ESPHome devices to Apple HomeKit. I loved ATH Bridge because it is budget friendly, straightforward, easy to plug-and-play and tiny design. I even used ATH Bridge to Connect any Reolink smart devices to Apple HomeKit. 

HOOBS Solution

HOOBS (HomeBridge Out of the Box), the hardware solution is an easy method to integrate your incompatible devices to Apple HomeKit. It is a plug and play system and it offers a wide variety of plugins. Amazing solution to control ESPHome with HomeKit and Siri.

HomeBridge Solution

If you’re a tech-savvy person, this is the best solution for you. HomeBridge is a third-party software solution. It offers Apple Home integration for your smart home devices that don’t directly support Apple HomeKit for ESPHome devices. Also, this is a cost-effective solution. This is a great way to add ESPHome to Home Kit if you have the tech-head.

Step-By-Step Guide to add ESPHome Devices to HomeKit using AddToHomeKit

  1. Go to the AddToHomeKit website.
  2. Select the ESPHome ecosystem.
  3. Choose the preferred solution.
  4. Select the operating system.
  5. Install the HomeBridge plugins.
  6. Select the activation package.
  7. Follow on-screen instructions.

Step-By-Step Guide to add ESPHome Devices to HomeKit using HomeBridge

  1. Install HomeBridge on Mac / PC
  2. Edit the configuration file

    3. To use add ESPHome plugin to your HomeBridge config.json using the below command: 

    
{
    "name": "ESPHome",
    "username": "your-esphome-email",
    "password": "your-esphome-password",
    "platform": "ESPHome"
}

  3. Run the ESPHome Plugin
  4. Control devices on HomeKit

Step-By-Step Guide to add ESPHome Devices to HomeKit using HOOBS

  1. Install HOOBS on a Raspberry Pi or any other suitable hardware.
  2. Visit the HOOBS dashboard.
  3. Go to the Home App.
  4. Select "Add Accessory".
  5. Select the HOOBS server.
  6. Scan the QR code displayed on-screen.
  7. Finally, follow the on-screen instructions.

Getting Started with ESPHome and Home Assistant

ESPHome is a tool that aims to simplify the management of your supported devices. Any devices or sensors defined in the ESPHome configuration will automatically appear in the Home Assistant's user interface. 

  1. Installing the ESPHome dashboard

    2. First the ESPHome dashboard must be installed as a Home Assistant add-on. You can find it in the add-on's repository in the admin panel. After that, you have to wait until it is installed. Then click "Start" and click "Open Web UI".


  2. Create the configuration

    3. You will need to name your configuration and enter your wireless network settings so that the ESP device can come online and communicate with Home Assistant.


    esphome-homekit-configuration
  3. Dashboard Interface

    4. On the home page you will see all the configurations for the nodes you have created. For each file, there are a few basic actions you can perform:

    • Update
    • Edit
    • LOGS
    • Overflow menu
  4. Connecting your device to Home Assistant

    5. Once your configuration is installed on your ESP device and online, it will be automatically detected by Home Assistant.


    Click on the “Add Integration” button (bottom right), search for esphome, and enter the host name. local” as the host. Use the same process to add multiple esphome devices.


    After the first installation, all features of ESPHome are enabled remotely, so there's no need to use a USB cable ever again.

Read on How to Add Xiaomi Devices to Apple HomeKit.

TASMOTA and ESPHome Compatible Flashable Devices

Bulbs

  • Switchbot 5 Channel ESP32-C3 Bulb
  • Vont 5 Channel Smart ESP32-C3 Bulb
  • Vont 4 Channel Smart ESP32-C3 Bulb
  • CloudFree 5 Channel Bulb
  • Kauf 5 Channel BR30
  • Kauf 5 Channel A21 - Kauf A19 - Kauf A15

Switches

  • Martin Jerry Single Pole Switch TASMOTA Pre-Flashed or Flashable Switch
  • Martin Jerry 3 Way Switch TASMOTA Pre-Flashed (Secondary TuyaMCU unfortunately)
  • Milfra Single Pole Motion Switch
  • Milfra Dual Button Motion Switch
  • Kauf Pre-Flashed LED Panel Switch

Dimmers

  • Martin Jerry Single Pole Dimmer
  • Hamilton Hills Touch Dimmer

Fan Controllers

  • Martin Jerry Preflashed TASMOTA Fan Controller

Plugs

  • Switchbot 15A ESP32-C3 Plug
  • Sonoff S31
  • Kauf Plug
  • Wyze Dual Relay Outdoor ESP32 Plug WLPPO1
  • GHome 6 Plug Outlet Extender
  • Xuntiy 4 Plug Power Strip
  • AHRISE 6 Outlet Extender
  • POWRUI 3 Outlet Extender

LED Controllers

  • Athom Sound Reactive Pre-Flashed WLED Controller
  • Electrodragon LED Controller (get the ESP32-C3 version!)

Other

  • Shelly 1
  • Shelly Plus 1
  • Shelly Plus 2PM
  • Shelly Plus i4

Editor’s Pick

When comparing these four methods, my personal pick goes to AddToHomeKit. It is a great fit for people who lead busy lives because it takes very little time and effort. I can use AddtoHomeKit on my desktop, saving me from downloading huge apps or documents. But you must think about what best fits you and your unique demands. I hope this information was helpful to you in determining what the choice was. 

FAQs


ESPHome allows you to create custom firmware for your ESP8266 or ESP32-based devices that can control lights and switches.

Yes, the new ESP32 C3 modules support Zigbee.

Yes, ESPHome can work without a Home Assistant.

You can connect the ESP32 board to the PC using the USB cable.

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