Home Hub

At home your iOS device uses the local Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to communicate with HomeKit accessories. If you want to access your accessories while not being at home, you’ll need a home hub. This can be a HomePod, Apple TV (3rd generation or later) or iPad (running iOS 10 or later). Remote communication then goes from your iOS device through Apple servers to your home hub. The home hub then communication directly with the accessories. Keep in mind that the data is always encrypted – Apple doesn’t see the content of the communication.

A home hub is also used to execute your automations. Therefore some event triggers on iOS 11 require a compatible home hub. A compatible home hub is a HomePod, Apple TV on tvOS 11 or iPad on iOS 11.

Follow these instructions to set up a home hub.

No compatible home hub

When you get the error “No compatible home hub”, make sure that your home hub is running the latest operating system. Check the version on your iOS device in iOS Settings → Apple ID → Select your Home Hub from the list of devices → Version. If the device version is not up to date there, sign out from iCloud on your home hub and then sign in again.