HomeKit basics
With HomeKit, you can use iPhone to control any “Works with Apple HomeKit” accessory that you
have in your home, such as lights, locks, thermostats, smart plugs, and more.
HomeKit allows you to create commands or scenes to control home settings. For example, you can
create a scene to turn off the lights, lock the doors, close the garage door, and set the thermostat to the
desired temperature, all with one command. HomeKit also provides an easy, secure way to control
HomeKit-enabled accessories using Siri.
HomeKit is organized around three types of locations: homes, rooms, and zones. Each home contains
rooms, such as “bedroom,” and you can group rooms into zones, such as “upstairs.”
Setting up a home and users
Defining a home allows HomeKit-enabled apps and accessories from different manufacturers to
work together. It’s the first thing you should do when getting started with HomeKit.
Define a home. Use the app that works with your HomeKit-enabled accessory to define a home. The
process varies, depending on the app and accessory, but generally you pair the accessory with
iPhone by entering the accessory’s HomeKit setup code in the accessory’s app. If this is your first
accessory, a home is created for you.
Add a second home. As described above, use a HomeKit-enabled app to define an additional home.
Give others control. To let others control your accessories using their iOS devices, go to Settings >
Home, then tap Invite People. They need an iCloud account to join your home. People you invite can
control your accessories, but they can’t add new ones.
Control your accessories away from home. If you have an Apple TV (3rd generation or later) with
software version 7.0 or later, or a HomeKit accessory that supports iCloud Remote Access, you can
securely control your home when you’re away. Go to Settings > Home, then turn on Allow Remote
Access. Make sure you’re signed in with the same iCloud account on both iPhone and Apple TV.
