Apple TV HomeKit hub: Do you want to control your smart home devices from anywhere, even when you are not at home? Do you want to use Siri to manage your lights, locks, cameras, thermostats, and more? Do you want to create automations and scenes that make your life easier and more comfortable?
If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you need a HomeKit hub. A HomeKit hub is a device that connects your HomeKit-enabled accessories to the internet and allows you to access them remotely. It also enables you to use Siri on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, or HomePod to control your smart home.
One of the best devices that you can use as a HomeKit hub is your Apple TV. Apple TV is not only a great entertainment device that lets you watch movies, shows, games, and more on your big screen, but also a powerful smart home controller that works with HomeKit.
In this article, I will show you how to set up Apple TV as a HomeKit hub in 5 easy steps. You will need:
- An Apple TV (4th generation or later) with tvOS 11 or later
- An iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 11 or later
- A Wi-Fi network
- A free iCloud account
- Some HomeKit-enabled accessories
Ready? Let’s get started!
Step 1: Sign in to iCloud on your Apple TV
The first step is to sign in to iCloud on your Apple TV using the same Apple ID that you use on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. This will sync your HomeKit settings and accessories across your devices.
To sign in to iCloud on your Apple TV, follow these steps:
- On your Apple TV remote, press the Home button to go to the Home screen.
- Select Settings.
- Select Accounts.
- Select iCloud.
- Enter your Apple ID and password.
- If prompted, enter the verification code that appears on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.
You should see a message that says “You’re signed in as [your name]”.
Step 2: Enable HomeKit on your Apple TV
The next step is to enable HomeKit on your Apple TV. This will allow your Apple TV to act as a HomeKit hub and communicate with your accessories.
To enable HomeKit on your Apple TV, follow these steps:
- On your Apple TV remote, press the Home button to go to the Home screen.
- Select Settings.
- Select AirPlay and HomeKit.
- Select Home Hub.
- Turn on the switch next to Home Hub.
You should see a message that says “This Apple TV is connected as a home hub”.
Step 3: Add your accessories to the Home app
The third step is to add your accessories to the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch. This will allow you to control them from your devices and from your Apple TV.
To add your accessories to the Home app, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, open the Home app.
- Tap the + icon at the top right corner.
- Tap Add Accessory.
- Scan the HomeKit code or enter the setup code of your accessory. You can find it on the accessory itself or in its documentation.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to name and assign your accessory to a room.
- Repeat these steps for each accessory that you want to add.
You should see your accessories appear in the Home app.
Step 4: Create automations and scenes for your Apple TV HomeKit hub
The fourth step is to create automations and scenes for your accessories using your Apple TV HomeKit hub. Automations are rules that trigger actions based on time, location, or sensor events. Scenes are presets that activate multiple accessories with one command.
To create automations and scenes for your accessories using your Apple TV HomeKit hub, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, open the Home app.
- Tap the Automation tab at the bottom.
- Tap the + icon at the top right corner.
- Choose the type of automation that you want to create, such as A Time of Day Occurs, People Arrive, An Accessory is Controlled, or A Sensor Detects Something.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to set the conditions and actions for your automation using your Apple TV HomeKit hub.
- Repeat these steps for each automation that you want to create.
To create scenes for your accessories using your Apple TV HomeKit hub, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, open the Home app.
- Tap the + icon at the top right corner.
- Tap Add Scene.
- Choose a suggested scene or create a custom one.
- Name your scene and select the accessories that you want to include.
- Adjust the settings of each accessory as you like using your Apple TV HomeKit hub.
- Tap Done.
You should see your automations and scenes appear in the Home app.
Step 5: Control your accessories with Siri and the Control Center
The final step is to control your accessories with Siri and the Control Center. You can use Siri on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, or HomePod to control your accessories with your voice. You can also use the Control Center on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to access your accessories with a swipe.
To control your accessories with Siri using your Apple TV HomeKit hub, follow these steps:
- On any of your devices that support Siri, say “Hey Siri” or press and hold the Home button or the Side button.
- Say a command such as “Turn on the lights”, “Set the temperature to 22 degrees”, “Lock the front door”, or “Good night”.
- Siri will confirm your command and execute it using your Apple TV HomeKit hub.
To control your accessories with the Control Center using your Apple TV HomeKit hub, follow these steps:
- On your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch, swipe down from the top right corner of the screen to open the Control Center.
- Tap and hold the Home icon.
- Swipe left or right to switch between rooms.
- Tap an accessory to control it or tap and hold it for more options using your Apple TV HomeKit hub.
You should see your accessories respond to your commands using your Apple TV HomeKit hub.
Congratulations! You have successfully set up Apple TV as a HomeKit hub and turned your smart home into a smarter one. Enjoy!
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