Can I Use an iPhone as a Homekit Hub?

Apple’s Homekit Hub is an amazing device. It allows you to control all the smart devices in your home without moving an inch.

Also, you can control all the devices even if you’re miles away from your home.

While the HomeKit Hub has a lot of cool features, if you use it with an iPhone you’ll be able to use only a few.

In this post, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about Homekit, whether it works with an iPhone, and whether can you use iPhone as a Homekit Hub.

Setting up the Homekit Hub

First, you’ll need at least IOS 10 to make good use of Homekit.

If you’ve got that covered, let’s proceed further.

Go to the Home app on your phone and turn on the location. Now, sign in to iCloud.

If you want to control multiple devices, turn on the iCloud keychain option. It’ll pass data to all the connected devices.

Finally, you should create a code for your app. The code has to be 8 digits long, make sure it’s memorable (at least for you) so you don’t forget it.

Now that the HomeKit Hub is all ready, let’s talk about which features are compatible with iPhone.

What You Can and Can’t do with iPhone?

First, let’s talk about what you can do with your iPhone:

• You can control accessories.

• You can organize devices together in a room.

• You can control multiple accessories without moving an inch.

But you can do all these things only when you’re within the range of your wireless network.

On the plus side, you can perform all these actions with Siri as well.

Now, let’s talk about what you can’t do with your iPhone:

• You can’t give access to your HomeKit to other users.

• You can’t set up multiple actions that will happen automatically at certain times of the day or in response to a stimulus from a censor.

• You can’t manually activate devices outside of your home.

Note: In case it wasn’t clear, iPhone can’t be used as a Homekit Hub.

The Setting-up and Automation Processes

 You can use Apple TV, an iPad, or Homepod as a hub.

Choosing any of these three devices you like the best because both will give you complete access to all the advanced features.

Just make sure that your device is at least 3rd generation with IOS 10.

Although if your device meets the requirements mentioned above, it’ll do a fine job, it won’t have all the features

The 3rd generation device will have most features but not all of them.

Remote access to cameras, the capacity to create automation devices, and changing user permission are a few features it doesn’t have.

That’s why we recommend getting a 4th generation iPad or Apple TV with IOS 10.3 or above.

These devices allow you to get your hands on all the features available.

Now that we know which devices are needed for gaining access to all the features of the Homekit Hub, let’s talk about how to set up the automation process.

But before we get into that, let’s talk about how to set up the home hub on both devices.

Setting up the Home Hub

Setting up Home Hub on iPad: Follow the steps mentioned below:

1. Go to your iCloud settings.

2. Sign in with your Apple TV.

3. Turn on the iCloud Keychain and Home.

4. Then go to Home in the settings menu.

5. Turn on the Use this iPad as a Home Hub option.

Setting up the Home Hub in an Apple TV: It’s similar to the previous method.

1. Sign in to your Apple TV with the same Apple ID as your iPhone.

2. Turn on the iCloud Keychain.

That’s it! Apple TV will take care of the rest itself.

Now that your device is working as a Home Hub, let’s get down to the automation process.

When it comes to setting up automation, the generation of your device doesn’t matter.

That’s why we’ve explained how to set up automation in IOS 10.

Setting up Automation in IOS 10

No matter the device you’re using, follow these steps.

Press the automation button and then go to Create New Automation.

You’ll be shown multiple options like People Arrive, People Leave, and A Sensor Detect Something.

Tap on the option you want to choose as a trigger and add the action you want.

For example, when I leave (trigger) turn off the lights (action).

Extra Features In IOS 11

The IOS 11 has plenty more automation triggers and actions.

You can even select how long an appliance should stay on.

For example, the AC should be turned on automatically at 10:00 pm and off at 11:00 pm.

Another cool feature in this version is Geo-fencing.

One good example of this feature is it can turn on the computer whenever some authorized user is in the geo-fenced area and turn it off when everyone leaves.

These are only two cool features available in IOS 11 (there are plenty more). But, for the sake of this post, we won’t explain all of them.

Conclusion

By reading this guide, you’ve formed a better understanding of the Homekit Hub.

You’ve learned that iPhone can be used with a Homekit Hub, but it doesn’t provide access to all the features.

Also, which device to use for accessing all the features and more?

Continue Reading:

Can I Add Samsung TV with Homekit and Homepod?