Apple's Home app offers a single interface for controlling all your HomeKit smart home accessories. But to get the most from this experience you need to set up an Apple Home Hub. Which allows you to control your accessories remotely, create automations, and invite guests to control your home.
Setting up an Apple Home Hub is simple; it often happens automatically. However, you need to make sure you've got the right devices to do it, and then know how to set it up on the device you own.
What Is an Apple Home Hub?
An Apple Home Hub is an always-on device that securely connects your HomeKit smart home accessories to the internet. This allows you to control your smart home from anywhere in the world, as long as you've got an internet connection.
Without an Apple Home Hub, you need to be connected to your home Wi-Fi network to control your accessories.
An Apple Home Hub also allows you to set up automations for your accessories in the Home app. You might use this to switch the lights when the sun rises, lock your doors when you go to bed, play some music when you arrive home, and much more besides.
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Finally, an Apple Home Hub allows you to share your smart home controls with guests visiting your home. This is particularly useful if you've got overnight visitors and you want them to be able to lock the door or switch on the lights without asking you to do it for them.
What Devices Can Be an Apple Home Hub?
You can't use any old device as an Apple Home Hub, you can only use one of the following devices:
- Apple TV (4th generation) or later
- HomePod or HomePod mini
- iPad
An Apple Home Hub must be at your home, powered on, and connected to Wi-Fi at all times. Which is why it's usually easier to use an Apple TV or a HomePod.
If you have several of these devices, Apple HomeKit will only use one of them as a Home Hub, while the others will act as a standby if the default device fails.
If you don't have one of these devices, you won't be able to set up an Apple Home Hub. In which case, it might be worth picking up a second-hand iPad or looking at alternative smart home setups.
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How Do I Set Up an Apple Home Hub?
Setting up an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad as an Apple Home Hub is incredibly easy. In fact, an Apple TV or HomePod will usually automatically set itself up as your Apple Home Hub when you sign in to your iCloud account and connect to your Wi-Fi network during the setup.
To find out if you already have a Home Hub set up:
- Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Hit the House icon and choose Home Settings.
- Select Home Hubs & Bridges; any available Home Hubs will be listed at the top, with the default hub saying Connected next to it.
If you're using an iPad, or if your Apple TV or HomePod hasn't been set up as a Home Hub, you can find step-by-step instructions for setting up each device below.
How to Use an iPad as a Home Hub
To use an iPad as an Apple Home Hub, you need to make sure it stays at home, powered on, and connected to Wi-Fi all the time. The best way to do this is to keep it connected to a charger at all times.
If you still want to set up your iPad as an Apple Home Hub, follow these steps:
- On your iPad, go to Settings and make sure you're connected to your home Wi-Fi and that Bluetooth is on.
- Then tap [Your Name] > iCloud and enable the Keychain and Home options.
- Finally, go to Settings > Home and choose to Use this iPad as a Home Hub.
How to Use an Apple TV as a Home Hub
To set up your Apple TV as an Apple Home Hub:
- On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > [Your Name] and take note of the user account you're signed in to at the top of the page. If you have a Mac instead, go to System Preferences > Apple ID.
- Now tap iCloud and enable the Keychain and Home options.
- On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Users and Accounts > [Your Account] and make sure the iCloud account matches what you're signed in to on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Now, go back to the main Apple TV Settings, select Network, and make sure your Apple TV is connected to your home Wi-Fi.
How to Use a HomePod or HomePod mini as a Home Hub
Setting up your HomePod or HomePod mini as an Apple Home Hub is even easier:
- Open the Settings app on the iPhone or iPad that's connected to your HomePod.
- Make sure you're connected to your home Wi-Fi network and that Bluetooth is on.
- Now tap [Your Name] or Sign in at the top of the Settings and make sure you're signed in to your iCloud account.
- Then tap iCloud and enable the Keychain and Home options.
Apple HomeKit Gets Better Every Year
Setting up an Apple Home Hub is especially useful if you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem.
After setting one up, you can use Siri on any of your other Apple devices to check in on your smart home wherever you are in the world, you can streamline your life with automations, and you can add family members and guests to your home. Making your smart home smarter than ever.
However, HomeKit's capabilities don't end there. With every passing year, Apple adds more capabilities to its smart home network. Making sure your investment in this ecosystem will be rewarded for many years to come.
