Get started
To use HomeKit, you'll need an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch with iOS 8.1 or later. You'll also need one or more HomeKit-enabled accessories. These include lights, locks, thermostats, smart plugs, and more.
You'll find this badge on the product packaging:
Download the app for your accessory
On your iOS device, go to the App Store and get the app for your accessory.
Pair your accessory and iOS device
Your accessory will come with a HomeKit setup code that looks like this:
On your iOS device, open the app for your accessory and point your device's camera at the setup code to scan it. If you can't find your setup code or need help pairing, contact the manufacturer of the accessory.
Control your accessories with Siri
After you pair your accessory and iOS device, you can control the accessory with Siri commands. Here are some examples:
- "Turn on the lights" or "Turn off the lights."
- "Dim the lights" or "Set the brightness to 50%."
- "Set the temperature to 68 degrees."
- "Turn on the coffee maker."
If you set up homes, rooms, zones, or scenes, you can use commands like this:
- "Turn on the upstairs lights."
- "Turn off Chloe's light."
- "Turn down the kitchen lights."
- "Dim the lights in the dining room to 50%."
- "Make the living room lights the brightest."
- "Set the Tahoe house to 72 degrees."
- "Set the thermostat downstairs to 70."
- "Turn on the printer in the office."
- "Party time."
- "Dinner party."
- "Goodnight."
For some accessories, Siri commands won't work while your iOS device is locked. For example, you'll need to unlock your device before you can use Siri to unlock your door.
Control your accessories away from home
If you have an Apple TV (3rd generation or later), you can control your accessories with Siri commands when you're away from home. Just sign in to iCloud with the same Apple ID on your iOS device and Apple TV.
If your remote access isn't working, sign out out of iCloud on your Apple TV, then sign back in.
Group accessories in homes, rooms, zones, and scenes
Depending on the app that you use for your accessories, you might be able to group accessories in homes, rooms, or scenes. This lets you control a group of accessories with a single Siri command. You'll need to set up these groups within apps for the accessories, and some apps might not have this option.
Browse the app or check the accessory's documentation to learn more.
Share control of your accessories
After you group your accessories in a home, you can invite other people to share control of these accessories. People need to sign in to iCloud to accept the invitation.
If you create the home, you're the administrator. People you invite are shared users.
Delete your home data or reset your accessories
To delete all of the home data from your iOS device and iCloud, go to Settings > Privacy > HomeKit and tap Reset HomeKit Configuration.
You can also manually reset your accessories. You might need to do this when you move into a home with HomeKit accessories that the previous resident didn't reset. Check the accessory's documentation for instructions, or contact the manufacturer for help.
If you can't control your accessories using your iOS device
If you're at home, make sure that your accessory is turned on. Then make sure that you can control the accessory manually. For example, change the temperature on the thermostat. If you can't manually control one or more of your accessories, contact the manufacturer.
If you're away from home or you're using Siri commands, check your Internet connection and make sure that you have Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned on in Settings on your iOS device.
If the iOS device that you use for HomeKit is lost or stolen
You can use Find My iPhone to turn on Lost Mode or erase the device. Or you can change your Apple ID password to prevent anyone from using services like HomeKit on the missing device.
If you have another iOS device and you're signed in to iCloud with the same Apple ID that you use for HomeKit, you can use that device to control your accessories.
Are you a shared user?
If you don't have another iOS device, let the administrator know so that they can remove you from the home. They can add you again when you replace your device.
Are you the administrator?
If you don't have another iOS device, you'll need to manually reset your accessories. Check the accessory's documentation for instructions, or contact the manufacturer for help. When you replace your device, you can pair with your accessories again.
