4 ms·

Can you please elaborate? It works when the internet is down?

CharlesW 3y ago
Yes, if you have a home hub (an Apple TV or a HomePod¹). https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT207057 https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT207057 Homebridge is a great addition to a HomeKit setup, too. https://homebridge.io/ https://homebridge.io/ ¹ EDIT: Removed iPad mention, since as @js2 notes, "iPad as a home hub" support is being deprecated.
- dylan604 3y ago
  That's interesting. I have not looked into using the Apple ecosystem, but just assumed it was all centered around the HomePod. Not needing the Homepod now makes me more interested
  - js2 3y ago
    You need an AppleTV or HomePod to act as the hub. Without that, you get no automation nor ability to control devices from outside your home. An AppleTV is also needed for Thread support. Using an iPad for a hub is deprecated and not supported in the new architecture. You can of course use HomeKit devices with Home Assistant in both directions. HA can obviously serve as the automation hub for HK devices ("accessories" in HK parlance) and HA can expose itself to HK so you can control HA devices through an iPhone, iPad or Mac.
    - CharlesW 3y ago
      > An AppleTV is also needed for Thread support. Or a HomePod mini, or a 2nd gen HomePod, or a supported 3rd-party device that can act as a Thread border router.
      - js2 3y ago
        Ah, thanks for the correction on that. Maybe plenty of folks are happy with HomePods for their hub but all the complaints I read are also folks using HomePods. It's hard to know whether they have spotty WiFi or if HomePods are just inherently less reliable hubs. I will say that having my wired AppleTV act as a hub, I've had no trouble at all. I have maybe 50 accessories and a bunch of automations, some fairly complex. e.g. my garage door automatically opens for me as I near my home as long as my iPhone is in CarPlay mode.
- js2 3y ago
  iPads are deprecated as hubs and not supported in the new architecture. HomePods are notoriously unreliable as hubs, but that may be due to folks who have spotty WiFi in their homes. It's best to have a wired AppleTV to act as a hub.
- Aloha 3y ago
  You do not need a Hub if you want to use it from inside the house with no internet, it will work by itself.

Yes, if you have a home hub (an Apple TV or a HomePod¹). https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT207057 https://support.apple.com/en-gb/HT207057 Homebridge is a great addition to a HomeKit setup, too. https://homebridge.io/ https://homebridge.io/ ¹ EDIT: Removed iPad mention, since as @js2 notes, "iPad as a home hub" support is being deprecated.

dylan604 3y ago
That's interesting. I have not looked into using the Apple ecosystem, but just assumed it was all centered around the HomePod. Not needing the Homepod now makes me more interested
- js2 3y ago
  You need an AppleTV or HomePod to act as the hub. Without that, you get no automation nor ability to control devices from outside your home. An AppleTV is also needed for Thread support. Using an iPad for a hub is deprecated and not supported in the new architecture. You can of course use HomeKit devices with Home Assistant in both directions. HA can obviously serve as the automation hub for HK devices ("accessories" in HK parlance) and HA can expose itself to HK so you can control HA devices through an iPhone, iPad or Mac.
  - CharlesW 3y ago
    > An AppleTV is also needed for Thread support. Or a HomePod mini, or a 2nd gen HomePod, or a supported 3rd-party device that can act as a Thread border router.
    - js2 3y ago
      Ah, thanks for the correction on that. Maybe plenty of folks are happy with HomePods for their hub but all the complaints I read are also folks using HomePods. It's hard to know whether they have spotty WiFi or if HomePods are just inherently less reliable hubs. I will say that having my wired AppleTV act as a hub, I've had no trouble at all. I have maybe 50 accessories and a bunch of automations, some fairly complex. e.g. my garage door automatically opens for me as I near my home as long as my iPhone is in CarPlay mode.
js2 3y ago
iPads are deprecated as hubs and not supported in the new architecture. HomePods are notoriously unreliable as hubs, but that may be due to folks who have spotty WiFi in their homes. It's best to have a wired AppleTV to act as a hub.
Aloha 3y ago
You do not need a Hub if you want to use it from inside the house with no internet, it will work by itself.