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I've been pretty happy with HK augmented by Homebridge. However, I'd go out of my mind if it weren't for the Controller for HomeKit app[^1] to allow backup and
by js2 3y ago
I've been pretty happy with HK augmented by Homebridge. However, I'd go out of my mind if it weren't for the Controller for HomeKit app[^1] to allow backup and restore, and it's still not perfect due to Apple restrictions on how third-party apps are allowed to interact with HK. Controller also is the only way to access more advanced automation options that are impossible to do through the Home app.
Just the other day after a power outage, three Nanoleaf bulbs in my home refused to rejoin HK and I had to repair them. That meant deleting them from HK first. Fortunately I was able to use Controller to restore most of the scenes/automations that involved those bulbs. But it was tedious and didn't restore everything.
At this point I'm seriously considering switching to Home Assistant to act as my HK automation hub. That would give me the best of everything: local control, HA for programming, and using my Apple devices to turn things on and off.
[^1]: https://controllerforhomekit.com/ https://controllerforhomekit.com/
- FireBeyond 3y ago> and it's still not perfect due to Apple restrictions on how third-party apps are allowed to interact with HK. And other Apple restrictions. I've got a lot of stuff looking really good with this combo. And then I added a Brilliant (https://www.brilliant.tech/home?tab=system https://www.brilliant.tech/home?tab=system) Smart "Outlet", particularly for my living room, which has six can Hue lights, and a lot of ambient stuff around the TV - it's great for driving a lot of scenes, daylight, evening warmth, media (where the front row of cans are off), etc. But it could also so a lot more that would be nice (Christmas lights, which are off a smart switch etc.) - except Apple doesn't allow external devices to initiate HomeKit actions. So a lot of potential usability is lost.