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I've joined two networks and now Apple Home thinks I'm home even if I am 600 km away
I've just joined two home networks (we'll call them A and B) that are physically located ~600 km away from each other. It's an L2 bridge, so the devices are all in the same subnet, they feel like they're all plugged to the same switch, and can exchange mDNS advertisements just fine. Everything works...
I've just joined two home networks (we'll call them A and B) that are physically located ~600 km away from each other. It's an L2 bridge, so the devices are all in the same subnet, they feel like they're all plugged to the same switch, and can exchange mDNS advertisements just fine.
Everything works surprisingly well, I even went as far as to run a Time Machine backup where the NAS is in site A and the laptop being backed up is site B, and it works just fine.
The only problem is that Apple Home tells me that I just entered ***both* A and B** as soon as I walk **in either of them** and my iPhone connects to the Wi-Fi. What's worse is that all the relevant automations run.
I would like to underline that I have two separate "homes" in the Apple Home app for site A and B.
Is there any way I can prevent this from happening while retaining my beloved L2 network bridge? Why the hell doesn't Apple use my GPS location to determine whether I'm at site A or B, and how can it be so unreasonable to believe that I can be in two different, far away places at the same time?
jd99
(111 rep)
Jul 13, 2025, 09:54 AM
4
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1
answers
354
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HomeKit thermostats and Celsius
Since upgrading to iOS 13 and macOS 10.15, one can only set temperatures in an integer number of degrees, which works fine for Fahrenheit, but isn't fine for Celsius. iOS 12 and macOS 10.14 permitted half-degree values when using Celsius and integer degrees in Fahrenheit. Aside from creating/editing...
Since upgrading to iOS 13 and macOS 10.15, one can only set temperatures in an integer number of degrees, which works fine for Fahrenheit, but isn't fine for Celsius. iOS 12 and macOS 10.14 permitted half-degree values when using Celsius and integer degrees in Fahrenheit.
Aside from creating/editing scenes with explicit temperatures on a Mac running 10.14, does anyone have a suggestion for a solution?
dborod
(41 rep)
Feb 19, 2020, 10:41 PM
• Last activity: Jun 26, 2025, 09:59 AM
1
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0
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43
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How to use variables in a POST in a Home Shortcut?
I have a Home.app automation which executes whenever someone enters the house (and another when someone leaves). I'd like to use this automation to call a webhook, so that I can turn on or off a thermostat. I created an automation which calls the webhook url with a POST, and I added the phone name i...
I have a Home.app automation which executes whenever someone enters the house (and another when someone leaves). I'd like to use this automation to call a webhook, so that I can turn on or off a thermostat.
I created an automation which calls the webhook url with a POST, and I added the phone name in one of the json fields. When I execute this webhook manually (clicking on the play button in the editor on the iphone) this works. But when I leave/enter the house nothing happens. From testing, it looks like the name of the phone can't be fetched when the phone is not unlocked, but I am not entirely sure due to lack of debugging options.
The automation is added to the home app:
In side the JSON payload of the POST, I added the "Device info -> name" as a field. I also added the "get the device name" step before the POST but that did not change the behavior.
How can I debug this, and/or how do I add information from the device, or any other identifiable information into the JSON payload?
In side the JSON payload of the POST, I added the "Device info -> name" as a field. I also added the "get the device name" step before the POST but that did not change the behavior.
How can I debug this, and/or how do I add information from the device, or any other identifiable information into the JSON payload?
Rolf
(269 rep)
Feb 10, 2025, 08:17 AM
• Last activity: Feb 10, 2025, 09:00 AM
1
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1
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1194
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Can I add device to HomeKit without iPhone with macOS only?
Is it possible to add new homekit device with access to only apple laptop? All tutorials I found mentioned about using iOS. I searched "Home" app in macOS but I can only add and edit rooms and people, not hardware like sensors etc. I'm also curious if iOS is required, can I use iOS emulator in Xcode...
Is it possible to add new homekit device with access to only apple laptop?
All tutorials I found mentioned about using iOS.
I searched "Home" app in macOS but I can only add and edit rooms and people, not hardware like sensors etc.
I'm also curious if iOS is required, can I use iOS emulator in Xcode as a workaround?
I'm not planning to buy iPhone and MacBook Air M1 with macOS Monterey 12.0.1 is my first and only apple device.
SystemZ
(13 rep)
Nov 2, 2021, 12:30 PM
• Last activity: Oct 6, 2024, 11:14 PM
1
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1
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107
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Did "Preferred Home Hub" make it into iOS 18 / HomePodOS/tvOS 18 stable release?
I remember seeing reports during the iOS 18 dev and public betas about the ability to choose a "Preferred Home Hub". My searching prior to asking this question reveals lots of articles dated prior to September. To use a single example, reference The Verge's article [Apple gives Apple Home users some...
I remember seeing reports during the iOS 18 dev and public betas about the ability to choose a "Preferred Home Hub". My searching prior to asking this question reveals lots of articles dated prior to September. To use a single example, reference The Verge's article [Apple gives Apple Home users something they’ve been begging for](https://www.theverge.com/2024/6/14/24178482/apple-home-ios18-preferred-home-hub) .
In this article they embed media from Reddit, whose image shows a screenshot of the ability to disable Automatic Selection and choose a single Hub to prefer as the network head:
As of just before writing this question I updated my last AppleTV to tvOS 18. It came back from "Not Available" status to "Standby", but my "Home Hubs & Bridges" section appears unchanged without the new options. I do have some third party accessory bridges, but all of my Apple-brand devices should now be fully up to date on iOS 18. Yet, there is no change to my "Home Hubs & Bridges" screen:
I've checked settings everywhere in the Home app as well and I do not believe there is any other section this is relevant. Is there something else I have to do to enable the option to disable automatic Hub selection and choose a Preferred Home Hub?
As of just before writing this question I updated my last AppleTV to tvOS 18. It came back from "Not Available" status to "Standby", but my "Home Hubs & Bridges" section appears unchanged without the new options. I do have some third party accessory bridges, but all of my Apple-brand devices should now be fully up to date on iOS 18. Yet, there is no change to my "Home Hubs & Bridges" screen:
I've checked settings everywhere in the Home app as well and I do not believe there is any other section this is relevant. Is there something else I have to do to enable the option to disable automatic Hub selection and choose a Preferred Home Hub?
Jason Salaz
(25167 rep)
Sep 21, 2024, 04:38 AM
• Last activity: Sep 24, 2024, 03:41 AM
1
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0
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254
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How can I prevent my phone asking to confirm any "When the last person leaves home" HomeKit automations?
I have a HomeKit automation set up to trigger "When the last person leaves home," and my understanding is that it should run automatically without any user interaction. However, every time I leave home, HomeKit prompts me to confirm whether I want to run the automation or not. If I don’t respond, th...
I have a HomeKit automation set up to trigger "When the last person leaves home," and my understanding is that it should run automatically without any user interaction. However, every time I leave home, HomeKit prompts me to confirm whether I want to run the automation or not. If I don’t respond, the automation doesn’t execute.
This seems counterintuitive for an automation that's supposed to be automatic.
Are there ways I can ensure that the automation always runs without asking for a confirmation on iOS devices ?
Филипп Цветков
(239 rep)
Sep 12, 2024, 02:17 PM
• Last activity: Sep 12, 2024, 03:53 PM
7
votes
1
answers
3031
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Using Raspberry Pi as a home hub for Apple HomKit setup
I'm trying to make my home a bit smarter using HomeKit without actually buying HomeKit accessories. Now I'm using python and the pyhap libary and it is working so far. I can control my Raspberry Pi using Apple HomeKit and the Home app. But there's one thing I consider a big disadvantage of HomeKit:...
I'm trying to make my home a bit smarter using HomeKit without actually buying HomeKit accessories. Now I'm using python and the pyhap libary and it is working so far.
I can control my Raspberry Pi using Apple HomeKit and the Home app. But there's one thing I consider a big disadvantage of HomeKit: it cannot be controlled from outside the Network without an iPad, HomePod or Apple TV working as a home hub.
**Question:** Can I somehow turn my Raspberry Pi into a home hub so I can control my lights etc from outside my home?
Julius Waldmann
(71 rep)
Aug 5, 2019, 09:47 AM
• Last activity: Sep 9, 2024, 03:01 PM
2
votes
1
answers
2757
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Supported Matter 'third-party border routers' for HomeKit?
I went to upgrade my Home to Matter today only to find that the iPad is no longer supported as a Hub. I don't have any need for the main functions of either Homepod or Apple TV so I have no devices to act as a home hub save this one iPad. One clue for me is the Home app on my phone and iPad say that...
I went to upgrade my Home to Matter today only to find that the iPad is no longer supported as a Hub. I don't have any need for the main functions of either Homepod or Apple TV so I have no devices to act as a home hub save this one iPad.
One clue for me is the Home app on my phone and iPad say that a "supported third-party border router" is another option. I've tried Googling this without any luck and I don't think I've got a grasp on how these work.
Does anyone know if any third-party routers actually exist?
Jamie Keene
(61 rep)
Apr 27, 2023, 01:46 PM
• Last activity: Sep 6, 2024, 02:20 PM
1
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0
answers
39
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Matter development - Matter Accessory - Apple Ecosystem
What is the best way of logging the pairing / commissioning process of Matter and HomeKit Accessories (Console logs are encrypted / lacking). I could not find any specific software or documentation provided by Apple regarding this (nor any other participant of the CSA).
What is the best way of logging the pairing / commissioning process of Matter and HomeKit Accessories (Console logs are encrypted / lacking).
I could not find any specific software or documentation provided by Apple regarding this (nor any other participant of the CSA).
Programmer
(21 rep)
Sep 4, 2024, 03:47 PM
• Last activity: Sep 5, 2024, 05:59 PM
3
votes
3
answers
2415
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Can I trigger a HomeKit scene when my laptop's camera is turned on or off?
Like a lot of people nowadays, I'm set up in a home office and I'm often on video calls on my MacBook Pro. My partner sometimes wants to come into my office, but doesn't want to interrupt a video call. We've got a Hue bulb in the landing outside my office, so I was wondering whether I could use that...
Like a lot of people nowadays, I'm set up in a home office and I'm often on video calls on my MacBook Pro. My partner sometimes wants to come into my office, but doesn't want to interrupt a video call. We've got a Hue bulb in the landing outside my office, so I was wondering whether I could use that to show whether I'm on a call. Can I trigger a HomeKit scene based on whether my laptop's camera is turned on or off?
Simon
(398 rep)
Jul 28, 2021, 07:18 PM
• Last activity: Jun 25, 2024, 04:30 AM
4
votes
0
answers
74
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Apple HomeKit ("Home" app) thinks I have a second camera, but I do not
I cannot enable recording on my Nest Camera, presumably because of my old Ring doorbell camera. There is no other camera in the Apple "Home" app whatsoever. I have removed the Nest camera, re-added it several times, but there's no change. I cannot record due to only having the 50 GB iCloud plan (whi...
I cannot enable recording on my Nest Camera, presumably because of my old Ring doorbell camera. There is no other camera in the Apple "Home" app whatsoever. I have removed the Nest camera, re-added it several times, but there's no change.
I cannot record due to only having the 50 GB iCloud plan (which only allows for a single camera.....which is what I have).
I've searched and searched online and the only way to remove an old camera is in the Home app....which I have already done.
SamAndrew81
(343 rep)
Apr 28, 2024, 12:07 AM
1
votes
0
answers
1493
views
How to use old iPad Mini as smart home dashboard?
I would like to use my old iPad Mini 1 (running iOS 9.3.5) as a dashboard for my smart home, which is managed using Home Assistant. I've already resolved the first task - how to access Home Assistant from the iPad. It [doesn't work][1] with that old browser, and the app doesn't work either. So, I [r...
I would like to use my old iPad Mini 1 (running iOS 9.3.5) as a dashboard for my smart home, which is managed using Home Assistant.
I've already resolved the first task - how to access Home Assistant from the iPad. It doesn't work with that old browser, and the app doesn't work either. So, I run Firefox on another machine and access it with RealVNC viewer.
I've removed the PIN protection and disabled the automatic screen off. However, I don't want to keep the screen always on.
Now, the question is how to wake it up when someone is around.
I tried to switch the screen on with an external motion detection sensor, but there is no built-in Home application (it is available for iOS 10 only). I am trying other options now, for example, to send a Telegram message with disabled notification, but it seems like it will not help - the screen still requires user to slide to unlock.
What other options should I explore?
LA_
(404 rep)
Dec 3, 2023, 12:50 PM
2
votes
2
answers
1308
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Homekit: multi mode button in home app
Is anyone aware of a HomeKit enabled device which exposes a control element/button in the Home app which allows you to cycle through modes (each click changes a "mode" - whatever mode means for the particular device)? I'm trying to find out whether this kind of button/control exists in HomeKit/Home...
Is anyone aware of a HomeKit enabled device which exposes a control element/button in the Home app which allows you to cycle through modes (each click changes a "mode" - whatever mode means for the particular device)? I'm trying to find out whether this kind of button/control exists in HomeKit/Home app to build a device that exposes such a button.
**Edit**
Here is what I am referring to. The image shows 2 controls (a slider and a switch). I require the switch to have more than two states. Does anyone know if there is a device that exposes such a behaviour to Homekit?
orange
(131 rep)
Apr 25, 2020, 11:13 AM
• Last activity: Oct 22, 2023, 08:32 AM
1
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0
answers
148
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HomeKit is unable to recognize when people are home following update to iOS 17
After updating to iOS 17, HomeKit fails to recognize when people are home and as a result sends endless motion notifications. How do I get HomeKit to recognize when people are home? (Updating my ATV+ and HomePods has not improved the situation.)
After updating to iOS 17, HomeKit fails to recognize when people are home and as a result sends endless motion notifications.
How do I get HomeKit to recognize when people are home? (Updating my ATV+ and HomePods has not improved the situation.)
orome
(12163 rep)
Sep 19, 2023, 10:43 PM
• Last activity: Oct 18, 2023, 02:29 AM
1
votes
1
answers
4261
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Does Apple Home support power metering in a plug or similar device?
I want to monitor the energy usage of a medical device and - if possible - trigger actions if it is turned off by itself. I would like to use an Apple Home-compatible device (probably a plug) for this, for easy integration with what I have already. A few years back I was told that the Apple Home-API...
I want to monitor the energy usage of a medical device and - if possible - trigger actions if it is turned off by itself.
I would like to use an Apple Home-compatible device (probably a plug) for this, for easy integration with what I have already. A few years back I was told that the Apple Home-API's did not support power metering.
Has this changed and is there any suitable Home-compatible devices that can do this without non-Apple app support?
Thorbjørn Ravn Andersen
(1005 rep)
Dec 18, 2022, 06:59 PM
• Last activity: Sep 15, 2023, 06:06 AM
2
votes
1
answers
492
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Is there a way to have Siri make a web call?
I can use the Google Assistant app to make a web hook call to IFTTT. It’s just a simple URL. This calls IFTTT with the hashcode at the end to authenticate. This then runs a recipe which tells my pinhole ad-blocker to shut off for 2 minutes. http:example.com:1969/admin/api.php?disable=120&auth=abc123...
I can use the Google Assistant app to make a web hook call to IFTTT. It’s just a simple URL. This calls IFTTT with the hashcode at the end to authenticate. This then runs a recipe which tells my pinhole ad-blocker to shut off for 2 minutes.
http:example.com:1969/admin/api.php?disable=120&auth=abc123
I’d like to say,
Siri, shut your pie hole which calls that URL.
Is this possible? Unfortunately Google Assistant doesn’t run in the background or I would just use that. Can Siri open a favorite link in Safari?
WhiskerBiscuit
(193 rep)
May 12, 2018, 04:23 AM
• Last activity: Sep 4, 2023, 06:27 AM
1
votes
0
answers
71
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Alter text size on Home App
Apple's Home app is difficult to use for me. In all platforma macOS Venturea, IPadOS and IphoneOS it looks quite good except that I cannot read the information - like the temperatures as the text is too small. How do you increase the text size? ALso on macOS I cannot read all the headings as they ar...
Apple's Home app is difficult to use for me.
In all platforma macOS Venturea, IPadOS and IphoneOS it looks quite good except that I cannot read the information - like the temperatures as the text is too small. How do you increase the text size?
ALso on macOS I cannot read all the headings as they are white on very light grey. I uise Dark Mode for macOS,
I can use all the other Apple apps (e.g. ⌘+ and ⌘T so not a system issue. ⌘T pops up the usual font panel but does nothing to the app.
This appears to be discriminated against people with less than perfect sight surely there must be a way around this.
mmmmmm
(31365 rep)
Dec 13, 2022, 10:04 PM
• Last activity: May 29, 2023, 02:00 PM
1
votes
1
answers
1129
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iOS 16 - remove Home from Control Centre
Ever since updating to iOS 16, I now have this Home section added to my Control Centre. I neither need nor want this. Home is not enabled as one of my Control Centre items, yet this sits here prompting me to set up some 'accessories and scenes' for equipment I don't own… [I've tried clicking the hel...
Ever since updating to iOS 16, I now have this Home section added to my Control Centre.
I neither need nor want this. Home is not enabled as one of my Control Centre items, yet this sits here prompting me to set up some 'accessories and scenes' for equipment I don't own… [I've tried clicking the helpful 'Open Home' in the hope it would be satisfied, but I can't do anything with it, as I have nothing to configure.]
This, combined with the fact the entire screen now sits much lower than it used to, wasting an entire row at the top, pushes all the icons I **do** want off the bottom of the screen.
Is there any way to get rid of it?
Inside the Home app I found prefs to switch off 'suggestions' and also removed the default 'home' it had decided I needed to get started. No joy.
*Late edit*
Mentioned in comments & in an answer is to switch off 'Show Home Controls', just below 'Access within apps'. I do not have this option…
Inside the Home app I found prefs to switch off 'suggestions' and also removed the default 'home' it had decided I needed to get started. No joy.
*Late edit*
Mentioned in comments & in an answer is to switch off 'Show Home Controls', just below 'Access within apps'. I do not have this option…
Tetsujin
(119118 rep)
Feb 12, 2023, 05:57 PM
• Last activity: Feb 13, 2023, 06:16 PM
2
votes
3
answers
2985
views
Is there a way to stop the HomePod timer alarm remotely?
I have many HomePod mini (at least one in every room/corridor). And after I went upstair to my bedroom I noticed the downstair HomePod mini (assuming in the living room) got triggered by it’s timer or countdown. There seem to be no option anywhere in Home App. Even for cases where you might be a lon...
I have many HomePod mini (at least one in every room/corridor). And after I went upstair to my bedroom I noticed the downstair HomePod mini (assuming in the living room) got triggered by it’s timer or countdown.
There seem to be no option anywhere in Home App.
Even for cases where you might be a long distance from the device, it’s worse of a second HomePod in my bedroom or corridor just responds with ***There’s nothing to stop*** or with ***there’s nothing to mute*** or ***there’s nothing playing*** due to it being closer to me than the one currently alerting.
On occasion this can be highly inconvenient (say music or a movie was loud but now quiet) causing the downstairs unit to blast a timer alarm at full volume past midnight. Other scenarios could be, that I’m away from home and receive a call from my neighbour saying my Siri alarm is triggering him/her.
I did fount this Same Question on Discord, but no working answers there… :(
Is there a way to stop the HomePod timer alarm remotely?
Gediminas Jeremiah Gudelis
(151 rep)
Dec 6, 2021, 12:02 AM
• Last activity: Dec 22, 2022, 07:27 AM
0
votes
0
answers
2398
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Gradually dim on smart bulb
I have an Nanoleaf Essentials smart bulb and I can configure the brightness percentage from the Home app. When I go to sleep, I do "hey Siri, turn the light on at 7:30 AM". Having it on at 100% wakes me up quite quickly/harshly. I can also do "hey Siri, turn the light to 50%". I want to make a short...
I have an Nanoleaf Essentials smart bulb and I can configure the brightness percentage from the Home app.
When I go to sleep, I do "hey Siri, turn the light on at 7:30 AM". Having it on at 100% wakes me up quite quickly/harshly. I can also do "hey Siri, turn the light to 50%".
I want to make a shortcut that turns the light on at 5%, and gradually goes up to 100%.
Is this possible please?
Lucien
(121 rep)
Nov 5, 2022, 12:06 PM
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