How to Add Shelly Smart Devices to Apple HomeKit

APPLE PLEASE! Apple, please make Shelly devices compatible! It is so annoying that Shelly is incompatible with Apple HomeKit. Anywayss, I researched and tried to find some solutions so let's surf through the best 04 solutions to add Shelly devices to Apple HomeKit. I have given a comprehensive list of solutions you can use too.

AddtoHomeKit [Recommended Solution]

You want me to describe it in one word? AMAZING! Before explaining how AddtoHomeKit works, let me tell you what I love about it the most. It is so effortless and requires so little time and coding knowledge.

Step-By-Step Guide on Operating AddtoHomeKit

If you have to  add any TP-Link Kasa smart devices to Apple HomeKit it is best to use the AddtoHomeKit solution as well! 

ATH Bridge [Budget-Friendly Solution]

ATH Bridge is a device solution that helps in connecting your Shelly devices to HomeKit. It acts as a bridge between Shelly devices and HomeKit enabling a seamless integration. It is a compiled and pre-flashed HomeBridge server. To operate it, you just need to download the plugins and configure them. You can add you Alexa Echo Dot to Apple HomeKit and add Yale devices to HomeKit with this as well!

HOOBS (HomeBridge Out of the Box)

HOOBS is an update of HomeBridge, it basically simplifies the process of adding non-HomeKit devices to Apple Home. It has a user-friendly interface for managing and configuring Shelly devices to work with HomeKit. HOOBS offers a pre-configured setup, making it easier for you to use. You can even add Hive Smart Devices to Apple HomeKit.

Step-By-Step Guide on Operating HOOBS

Also you can integrate Smartwings HomeKit, Hikvision HomeKit, Blink Camera HomeKit using HOOBS.

HomeBridge Solution

HomeBridge is an open-source platform that allows you to connect non-HomeKit compatible devices to Apple HomeKit. As you may already know, it supports various plugin, such as the Shelly Apple HomeKit API. Therefore, making it possible to integrate a wide range of Shelly devices. The only disadvantage is that you need to have a bit of technical knowledge for this solution. My frist time using HomeBridge Solution to add all my devices to Apple HomeKit was with my Ring devices. I struggled a bit when I was trying to connect my Ring devices to Apple HomeKit. If you are an expert in that area, HomeBridge is a great solution for you.

If you want to install HomeBridge on your PC, there is an Open Source Apple HomeKit Firmware for Shelly Devices. Mongoose os shelly firmware exposes Shelly 1, Shelly 1PM, Shelly Plug S, Shelly 2 and Shelly 2.5 as Apple HomeKit accessories.

Step-By-Step Guide on Operating HomeBridge

Step-By-Step Guide to Shelly HomeKit with HomeBridge on Mac/PC

Below are the configuration options you can use when adding configuration to your homebridge config.json

• Network interface
  If your Shelly Siri devices aren’t discovered automatically, or if there are any error messages like addMembership EADDRINUSE or addMembership EADDRNOTAVAIL, you have to set the “networkInterface” option to the local IP address or the name of the network interface.
  
  
• Authentication
  If there’s any problem with a username and password, you can set the “username” and “password” options.
  
  
• Request timeout
  If you want to configure the timeout for HTTP requests to the Shelly devices, this “requestTimeout” option can be used. (Specify in millisecond, Default - 10 second)
  
  
• State timeout
  If you want to configure how long a device can be offline (before it is regarded as stale and unregistered from HomeKit), you can use this “staleTimeout” option. (Specify in a millisecond, set - 0 or false to disable, Disabled by default)
  
  
• Administration interface
  By default, the HTTP server on port 8181 serves an administration interface. Also, you can disable this using “admin” . “enabled” to false and you can change the port number using “admin” . “port”.
  
  
• Device specific configuration
  You can set configuration for specific Shelly devices using “devices” array. And, the object of the array should contain the “id” property (with the ID of the Shelly device). Also, Ids are made up of 6 or 12 hexadecimal characters
  
  
• This id can be found in the Shelly Cloud app/ the web interface of a device (under Settings -> Devices info -> Device ID)
  
  
• General configurations
  “exclude” - set to true
  “username” and “password” - you can set username and password if there are any restrictions with the web interface of the device
  “name” - you can set a custom name
  
  
• Shelly switch configuration
  If you own Shelly 1, 1 PM, 2, and 2.5 in relay mode or 4Pro, EM, Plug, and Plug S, this configuration can be applied.
  “type” - “ContactSensor” , “motionSensor” , “OccupancySensor” , “Outlet” , “switch” and “valve”
  
  
• Shelly 2.5 homekit configuration
  “type” - “door” , “garageDoorOperner” , “window” , “windowCovering”
  
  
• Shelly RGBW2 configurations
  “colorMode” - you can set “rgbw” if you want to have HomeKit control all R, G, B, and W channels. And, you can set “rgb” to omit the W channel

Here’s the example of the configuration below for the first generation of the Shelly device:

"platforms": [
{ 
"platform": "Shelly",
"name": "Shelly",
"username": "admin",
"password": "pa$$word",
"devices": [
{ "id": "74B5A3", "exclude": true },
{ "id": "A612F0", "username": "admin", "password": "pa$$word2" },
{ "id": "6A78BB", "colorMode": "rgb" },
{ "id": "AD2214", "name": "My Device" },
{ "id": "1D56AF", "type": "outlet" }
],
"admin": {
"enabled": true,
"port": 8181
}
}
]
For the next generation of Shelly devices:
{
"devices": [
{
"id": "e.g. shellyplus1-abcdef123456",
"name": "My Device",
"exclude": false,
"hostname": "e.g. 192.168.1.200",
"password": "pa$$word",
"switch:0": {
"exclude": false,
"type": "switch"
},
"switch:1": {
"exclude": false,
"type": "outlet"
},
"switch:2": {
"exclude": false,
"type": "switch"
},
"switch:3": {
"exclude": false,
"type": "switch"
},
"cover:0": {
"exclude": false,
"type": "windowCovering"
}
}
],
"mdns": {
"enable": true,
"interface": "e.g. eth0 or 192.168.1.100"
},
"websocket": {
"requestTimeout": 10,
"pingInterval": 60,
"reconnectInterval": [ 5, 10, 30, 60, 300, 600 ]

}
}

Not only these solutions, you can also connect any smart home device to Apple HomeKit with Enomek. Actually, it is a app solution!

Homebridge plugins and Apple HomeKit Firmware

There're several Shelly HomeKit support Homebridge plugins like Homebridge Shelly and HomeBridge Shelly NG. Also, Shelly Apple HomeKit supports to Shelly HomeKit firmware.

homebridge-shelly

The homebridge-shelly plugin enables you to control your Shelly devices (first generation of Shelly devices) with Apple HomeKit. This shelly homebridge plugin is available on GitHub.

Supported devices to the Homebridge Shelly plugin:

homebridge-shelly-ng

The homebridge-shelly-ng plugin supports next-generation Shelly devices. So, Shelly Pro 4 PM HomeKit and Shelly Plus 1 HomeKit are no longer a dream.

Supported devices to the Homebridge Shelly NG plugin:

Raspberry Pi

Raspberry Pi is the cheapest way to add your Shelly devices to Apple HomeKit. It is a compact and single board computer. Are you ready to use Raspberry Pi as the solution to add your devices to HomeKit? Then, you should have a 4GB microSD apart from the Pi.

If you’re keen to go with this Raspberry Pi solution, you need to have some coding experience. Otherwise, you can select our recommended app solution to add your any smart home devices to Apple HomeKit.

Shelly HomeKit compatibility

When we talk about the Shelly HomeKit compatibility, the truth is that the two aren’t natively compatible with each other. But that is not the end of the story! While Shelly doesn’t offer native integration with Apple HomeKit, there are ways to add these smart devices to Apple HomeKit with simple third-party software applications and gadgets.

Not only Shelly Smart home devices, you can find any Smart home device compatibility like Roborock HomeKit compatibility.

Shelly Devices that are Supported by the HomeBridge Plugin

Best Rated HomeKit Compatible Shelly Devices

Trouble Shooting: Common Problem and Solutions

“Shelly HomeKit No Response” is a common issue faced by many users. Below is a list of possible solutions to overcome this issue.  

Check network connection – Make sure that your Shelly device and HomeBridge are connected to the same network.  

Update firmware – Make sure your Shelly devices have the latest updated firmware. 

Restart device – Most of the time, a simple restart of your device can resolve this issue.  

If you want to add any Alexa smart devices to Apple HomeKit, you can do so with these solution.

Pros and Cons of Adding Shelly Devices to Apple HomeKit

HomeKit bridge for shelly flood and Smoke sensor

This HomeKit Shelly project adds Home integration to the Shelly Flood, Shelly Smoke, and Shelly Plus H&T.

First, you need to a MQQT service. So that, you should run this project with this:

HT=Device1ID,Device2ID SMOKES=Device1ID,Device2ID FLOODS=Device1ID,Device2ID,etc homekit-shelly

Finally, you can add Shelly Bridge to your Apple Home.

Shelly HomeKit Power Saving Mode

There're three types of power-saving modes.

1. Disable
2. Light Sleep Mode - 1
3. Modem Sleep Mode - 2

RavenSystem / esp-homekit-device

This RavenSystem firmware adds native Apple HomeKit support to any device like Sonoff, Shelly, or custom devices.

In addition to that, there's an advanced firmware - RavenCore v2 that allows you to configure any smart home device using a MEPLHAA Script.

Shelly-HomeKit (Open source Apple HomeKit Firmware for Shelly Devices)

If you want to expose Shelly devices as HomeKit Accessories, this firmware HomeKit will be helpful for you. This only supports plugs and relays. Also, It is an Over The Air update (OTA).

Shelly HomeKit firmware supported devices:

• Shelly 1 flash HomeKit
• Shelly Dimmer 2 HomeKit
• Shelly Duo HomeKit
• Shelly Motion 2 HomeKit

Shelly 2PM Custom HomeKit Firmware and Homey Pro Support

Athom Homey Pro supports Shelly's custom HomeKit Firmware. You can now expose your shelly devices to your iDevices. Surprise! You're able to install the Shelly on the Homey with a few easy steps.

How to add Shelly devices to HomeKit using Home Assistant

Shelly MQTT vs Tasmota MQTT

Shelly devices support Home Assistant MQTT protocol. Shelly MQTT offers less feature than the Tasmota MQTT. So, it is easier to use than the Tasmota. If you're an advanced user, you can go with Tasma as it 0ffers different configuration options.

Shelly Dimmer 2 HomeKit

Shelly Dimmer 2 for Apple Home Kit is the best Shelly HomeKit Dimmer with a built-in web server. It keeps control of your lights and connects your devices to your home Wi-Fi network. It is the world's smallest light dimmer that is especially suitable for smaller spaces. Let's see what're the key features of the Shelly Dimmer HomeKit.

Key Features of Shelly Dimmer 2

• Can control LED fluorescent lights or halogen lights
• It is suitable for installations in smaller spaces
• Can be used as part of a smart home system or independently
• Not require a zero switch
• Compatible with Apple HomeKit
• The signal range (50 m outdoors or 30 m indoors)

Also, you can find Shelly 1 HomeKit (shelly 1 Siri ) that supports Apple Home. So, you're able to control the lights within the Apple HomeKit.

Matter updates coming to Shelly products

Shelly announced several products to support the Matter including a new smart smoke alarm. So, you can find Shelly Matter Devices now.

• Shelly Plug Matter Devices
• Shelly Relay Matter Devices
• Shelly Dimmer Matter Device

If your device supports new standard, it will work natively with Apple Home, Amazon Alexa, Samsung SmartThings, Google Home, and any other smart home platform that supports new protocol. Also, it can be controlled by Siri, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. So, we're waiting for the Shelly Home Kit Matter integration.

Best Shelly Matter Devices

Shelly H&T Gen3

Shelly H&T Gen3 is a new matter compatible Wi-Fi Temperature and Humidity sensor. As Matter compatible, it can be controlled through the Shelly Smart Control App, various protocols, platforms and voice assistants. It has features like Wall mountable, has an embedded web server, low battery consumption and works with type-c USB slot.

Shelly Plus series

Shelly Plus Series Devices are compatible with Matter now. So, you can control your Matter enablled Shelly Pro series products with Matter enabled ecosystems such as Apple HomeKit. Amazon Alexa, Google Home and Samsung SmartThings.

Shelly Pro Series

Shelly Pro Series Devices are compatible with Matter protocol such as Shelly Pro 1, Shelly Pro 2, and Shelly Pro 3.

What is Apple HomeKit firmware for Shelly Switches?

Using Apple HomeKit firmware, you can add your Shelly Switches to Apple Homekit. Shelly HomeKit update requires Shelly iOS HomeKit conversion. If you update this, you can easily add multiple devices to HomeKit.

How to Flash Shelly HomeKit?

If you want to flash Shelly HomeKit, you can use the following URL (Note: You need to replace A.B.C.D with your device's current IP address):

1. http://A.B.C.D/ota?url=http://shelly.rojer.cloud/update
2. After a minute, you will see the LED blinking and then you can see a different web interface at the same device address.
3. Finally, you can script for an automated way to update your devices as given below:

• ./flash-shelly.py hostname (for a single device)
• ./flash-shelly.py -a (for all devices on the network)

Editor's Pick

My pick is AddtoHomeKit! I would even recommend using AddtoHomeKit to add any device to Apple HomeKit. Due to its very low effort and less time-consuming feature it would be a life saver! I don’t have to spend day and night searching through to find a step-by-step guide as everything is provided and compiled for me. Therefore, AddtoHomeKit is my pick to add Shelly smart devices to Apple HomeKit.