HomeKit

HomeKit, also known as Apple Home,[1] is a software framework and communication protocol developed by Apple Inc. that lets users configure, communicate with and control smart-home appliances using Apple devices.[2] It provides users with a way to automatically discover such devices and configure them.[2] By designing rooms, items and actions in HomeKit, users can enable automations in the home through a voice command to Siri or through the Home app.[3] With HomeKit, developers are able to create complex applications in order to manage accessories at a high level.[2]

HomeKit
Other namesHome
Developer(s)Apple Inc.
Operating systemiOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS
TypeHome automation

Overview

HomeKit was first introduced on iPhones and iPads on September 17, 2014, with iOS 8. The framework allowed third-party apps to interface with HomeKit devices using Siri and allow remote access through home hubs.[4]

HomeKit was created to make tasks inside the home easier and provide users with methods and tools to change and adapt certain home capabilities to their specific desires.[2] HomeKit manages connected home appliances through the HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP). Messages from HomeKit are continuously sent to powered devices, which incorporate fields which recognize the specific accessory and what category it is under. Each category has a code that is used to identify what the device is. It also identifies with the Global State Number (GSN). This number is increased each time that the state of the accessory is altered. Like most Apple devices, Apple Continuity Protocols are used. Continuity protocols consist of wireless technologies, such as Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. They can be conducted through device-to-device connection.[5]

HomeKit uses Bluetooth and Wi-Fi protocols.[6] On HomePods and some Apple TVs, Thread is also used to connect and communicate with devices.[7] Manufacturers of HomeKit-enabled devices are required to enroll in the MFi Program.[8] Apple also used to provide documentation for creating non-commercial HomeKit accessories to any member of the Apple Developer Programme.[9] Initially, all HomeKit-based products were required to include an encryption co-processor.[10] The latter requirement was later changed in iOS 11, which added support for software-based authentication.[11] Equipment manufactured without HomeKit support can be enabled for use through a "gateway" product, such as a bridge that connects those devices to the HomeKit service.[12]

HomeKit primarily competes with smart home standards from Amazon and Google. As of October 2019, Apple lists 450 devices compatible with HomeKit, compared to 10,000 for Google and 85,000 for Amazon.[13]

Home app

The Home app, which unifies all devices into one app, was introduced on iPhones and iPads on September 13, 2016, with iOS 10, and on Apple Watches with watchOS 3.[14] The app also added support for automations using a home hub, and preprogrammed "scenes", which can set multiple devices using a single command.[15] With iOS 16, Home received a major redesign which aimed to make the app easier to navigate, and the architecture of the program was rebuilt from the ground up to be more efficient for users with multiple HomeKit enabled devices.[16] HomeKit toggles can also be added to the Control Center, allowing control over connected devices without having to use Siri or open the Home app.

The Home app was introduced on Macs with macOS 10.14 Mojave, which was released on September 24, 2018.

Apple TV & HomePod

Fourth-generation and newer Apple TVs can control HomeKit devices using Siri voice commands. tvOS 14, which was released on September 16, 2020, added direct control of HomeKit devices in Control Center and camera feeds and picture-in-picture monitoring for HomeKit-enabled security cameras.[17] Neither the HomePod nor Apple TV can unlock or open secure appliances like locks.[18]

The HomePod supported HomeKit at launch in February 2018, as did the HomePod Mini in 2020. They lack a graphical user interface to control HomeKit devices and instead uses Siri voice commands.

Home hubs

As of iOS 16, Apple TVs (4th generation or newer) and HomePods are fully supported as home hubs to control HomeKit appliances remotely, grant guest access, and set up automations.[19] Support for Thread is included in the HomePod Mini, second generation HomePod and Apple TV 4K (2nd generation and later).[20][lower-alpha 1] Automations based on temperature and humidity are supported by the HomePod Mini and second generation HomePod.[21]

iPads supporting iOS 10 or later can be used as a home hub but were deprecated with iPadOS 16; iPads do not support Matter and new architectures that were extended to Apple TV and HomePod, but retain all functionality introduced before iPadOS 16.[22][23] The third-generation Apple TV only supports remote access and supported automations before iOS 10.[24]

Device categories

HomeKit currently supports the following device categories (an extended list):[25][5][26]

  • Air conditioners
  • Air purifiers
  • Bridges
  • Cameras
  • Doorbells
  • Dehumidifier
  • Doors
  • Fans
  • Faucets
  • Garage door openers
  • Humidifiers
  • IP Camera
  • Lights
  • Locks
  • Outlet
  • Programmable Switch
  • Audio/video receivers
  • Range Extender
  • Routers
  • Security systems
  • Sensors
  • Shower Systems
  • Smoke Alarms
  • Speakers
  • Sprinklers
  • Switches
  • Thermostats
  • Televisions
  • Video Doorbell
  • Windows

Garage doors, locks, security systems, and windows are categorized as secure appliances, and require a device with authentication such as an iPhone or iPad to unlock.

Matter support

On December 18, 2019, Apple announced that it will be working closely with Samsung, Amazon, and Google to create an open standard for smart home automation called Matter.[27] Matter aims to reduce fragmentation across different vendors, and achieve interoperability among smart home devices and Internet of things (IoT) platforms from different providers.[28] The project was delayed to fall 2022 due to "unprecedented interest" by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA).[29] Version 1.0 of Matter was published on the October 4, 2022.[30] Matter has been supported by Apple devices since iOS 16.1 and its forks.[31]

See also

References
  1. "Apple Home". Apple Developer. Retrieved 2022-08-24.
  2. Fogli, D.; Peroni, M.; Stefini, C. "Smart Home Control through Unwitting Trigger-Action Programming". 22nd International Conference on Distributed Multimedia Systems: 194–201.
  3. Ritchie, Rene (August 27, 2014). "HomeKit in iOS 8: Explained". iMore. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  4. Rossignol, Joe. "Getting Started With HomeKit: A Beginner's Guide". www.macrumors.com. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  5. Guillaume, Celosia; Mathieu, Cunche (2020). "Discontinued Privacy: Personal Data Leaks in Apple Bluetooth-Low-Energy Continuity Protocols". Proceedings in Privacy Enhancing Technologies. 1: 26–46 – via sciendo.
  6. Chin, Monica; Chang 2019-09-27T15:27:35Z, Althea. "Apple HomeKit: What Is It, and How Do You Use It?". Tom's Guide. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  7. "HomePod mini - Technical Specifications". Apple. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  8. "Working with HomeKit". Apple Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  9. Mikah Sargent (2017-06-07). "How to create your own HomeKit-enabled accessories". iMore. Retrieved 2023-06-28.
  10. Higginbotham, Stacey (June 10, 2015). "What one startup CEO learned from handling Apple's HomeKit mess". Fortune. Time Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  11. "How HomeKit's software authentication works". 29 March 2018.
  12. Ricker, Thomas; Kastrenakes, Jacob (January 8, 2015). "First HomeKit devices confirm Apple TV's limited role in home automation". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  13. Porter, Jon (2019-10-28). "HomeKit might be fading, but Apple's not giving up yet". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  14. "How to add a home to the new Home app in iOS 10". iMore. 2016-08-23. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  15. Clover, Juli (23 June 2016). "Here's the New 'Home' App for Controlling HomeKit Devices in iOS 10". www.macrumors.com. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  16. Tuohy, Jennifer Pattison (2022-06-06). "HomeKit gets a new Home app". The Verge. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  17. "What's new in tvOS 14 for Apple TV". Apple Support. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  18. "Other things you can ask Siri on Apple TV". Apple Support. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  19. "Set up your HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad as a home hub". Apple Support. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  20. Writer, Senior. "Nanoleaf puts HomeKit-over-Thread update on back burner". TechHive. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  21. "How to Use the Temperature and Humidity Sensors on HomePod and HomePod Mini". MacRumors. 24 January 2023. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  22. Davies, Chris (2016-06-14). "No Apple TV? Your iPad can be an Apple Home Hub - SlashGear". SlashGear.com. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  23. Peters, Jay (2022-06-28). "Apple says iPads will keep working as home hubs in iPadOS 16, but there's a catch". The Verge. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
  24. Hall, Zac (2016-09-16). "HomeKit automation no longer works with third-gen Apple TV after iOS 10 (Updated: Apple clarifies)". 9to5Mac. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  25. "iOS - Home". Apple. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  26. "Multi Device Ecosystems". Library Technology Reports. 52. 2016.
  27. Lovejoy, Ben. "Apple, Samsung, Amazon, more will agree on open standard for smart home security". 9to5Mac.com. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  28. Kastrenakes, Jacob (18 December 2019). "Apple, Google, and Amazon are teaming up to develop an open-source smart home standard". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  29. Pattison Tuohy, Jennifer (17 March 2022). "Matter smart home standard delayed until fall 2022". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  30. Grün, Frank-Oliver (4 October 2022). "Here we go: matter in version 1.0 is ready". matter-smarthome.de. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  31. "Matter support in iOS 16 - Apple Home". Apple Developer. Retrieved 2023-06-02.

Notes
  1. Excluding the 64GB Apple TV (third generation) without an Ethernet port.
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