HomeKit in iOS 11
Thanks to the improved Home app in iOS 11, it’s a great time to join the home automation revolution!
Learn how to manage all your devices from the improved Home app.
Apple’s HomeKit software for home automation has actually been around since 2014, when it was launched as part of iOS 8. But the first version of HomeKit was buried deep inside iOS, and the smart home revolution was somewhat ignored. So, with iOS 10, Apple introduced a new Home app, which acted as a visible central control point for HomeKit devices.
The Home app was updated with iOS 11 in 2017, to provide new automation controls — but also to work with the forthcoming HomePod smart speaker. Many manufacturers have updated existing smart devices to work with HomeKit, and we’re starting to see new security cameras, sensors and other smart hardware that can now be controlled with HomeKit.
Making a scene
Whenever you buy a home automation device — such as a security camera, a light bulb, or a thermostat — your first step is to download the manufacturer’s own app. These apps will guide you through the initial setup process as well as provide various features for controlling each device and, importantly, downloading software updates for that device in the future. If the manufacturer also makes its devices compatible with HomeKit, those devices will also appear within iOS’s Home app, along with any other HomeKit-compatible devices that you might have from other manufacturers.
So, if you own an Elgato security sensor along with a Tado Smart Thermostat or a smart light bulb from LIFX, you’ll be able to control all those devices from within the Home app — without having to keep switching between the separate apps provided by the various manufacturers.
The Home app even allows you to link devices together, using presets known as “scenes.” There are some simple scenes already built into the app, such as Good Morning and Good Night. You might want
to select the Good Morning scene and add some lights and your thermostat to the order, and maybe even a smart kettle or coffee machine. When you wake up next morning, just tap the scene in the Home app and your heating, lights, and morning coffee will all spring to life before you get up. You can even use the “Hey Siri” command to wake up your iPhone or iPad, then just say “good morning” to activate the scene with your voice.
You can also create custom scenes of your own, perhaps turning the lights down low and adjusting the volume on your HomePod when you want to listen to some music. The Home app also allows you to group devices together, so you could turn all your living room lights off at the same time.
Scenes do have limitations, though. They’re not automatic, so you still have to activate them yourself, and they tend to work best with devices that have a simple on/off switch, such as lights and thermostats. If you want to take your smart home further, you’ll need to roll up your sleeves and take a look at the Automations feature in the Home app.
Home is where the hub is
If you look at the Home app on your iPhone or iPad, you’ll see an Automations icon at the bottom of the screen. Automations work only if you have another Apple device set up to act as a home hub.
Your heating, lights, and morning coffee will all spring to life