HomeKit

HomeKit, also known as Apple Home,[1] is a software framework developed by Apple Inc., made available in iOS and iPadOS 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 automatic actions in the home through a simple 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. HomeKit is simply a communication protocol, which integrates and operates several types of accessories within the home.[2]

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

Overview

HomeKit was created for several reasons. The main reason was to make tasks inside the home easier. It was created to provide people with methods and different tools to change and adapt certain home capabilities to their specific desires. This was done to compensate for the on-going request of user-system co-evaluation.[2] HomeKit manages connected home appliances through the HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP). Messages from HomeKit are continuously being sent by powered devices, which are connected to HomeKit. They incorporate fields which recognize the specific accessory and what category it is under. Each category, also, 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/BLE and WiFi. They can be conducted through device-to-device connection.[4] HomeKit uses Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi protocols.[5] On HomePods and some Apple TVs, Thread is also used to connect and communicate with devices.[6] Manufacturers of HomeKit-enabled devices are required to enroll in the MFi Program,[7] and initially all HomeKit-based products were required to include an encryption co-processor.[8] The latter requirement was later changed in iOS 11, which added support for software-based authentication.[9] Equipment manufactured without HomeKit support can be enabled for use through a "gateway" product, a bridge that connects those devices to the HomeKit service.[10]

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.[11]

Matter

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.[12] Matter aims to reduce fragmentation across different vendors, and achieve interoperability among smart home devices and Internet of things (IoT) platforms from different providers.[13] The project was delayed to fall 2022 due to "unprecedented interest" by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (CSA).[14] Version 1.0 of Matter was published on the October 4, 2022.[15]

Device categories

HomeKit currently supports the following device categories (an extended list):[16][4][17]

  • 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.

Home hub

Apple TVs (4th generation or newer) and HomePods can be used as a home hub to control HomeKit appliances remotely, grant guest access, and set up automations.[18] Support for Thread was added in the HomePod Mini, second generation HomePod, and Apple TV 4K (2nd generation).[19] Automations based on temperature and humidity are supported by the HomePod Mini and second generation HomePod.[20]

The third-generation Apple TV only supports remote access.[21] The use of iPads as a home hub was deprecated with iPadOS 16; iPads will not support Matter and new architectures being extended to Apple TV and HomePod, but will retain all previous functionality.[22]

Home app

iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch

HomeKit was 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.[23]

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.[24] The app also added support for automations using a home hub, and preprogrammed "scenes", which can set multiple devices using a single command.[25]

HomePod

The HomePod supported HomeKit at launch in February 2018. It lacks a graphical user interface to control HomeKit devices and instead uses Siri voice commands.

Mac

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

Apple TV

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.[26] Neither the HomePod nor Apple TV can unlock or open secure appliances like locks.[27]

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. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. "HomePod mini - Technical Specifications". Apple. Retrieved 2022-01-04.
  7. "Working with HomeKit". Apple Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  8. Higginbotham, Stacey (June 10, 2015). "What one startup CEO learned from handling Apple's HomeKit mess". Fortune. Time Inc. Retrieved December 26, 2016.
  9. "How HomeKit's software authentication works". 29 March 2018.
  10. 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.
  11. Porter, Jon (2019-10-28). "HomeKit might be fading, but Apple's not giving up yet". The Verge. Retrieved 2020-01-05.
  12. Lovejoy, Ben. "Apple, Samsung, Amazon, more will agree on open standard for smart home security". 9to5Mac.com. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  13. Kastrenakes, Jacob. "Apple, Google, and Amazon are teaming up to develop an open-source smart home standard". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  14. Pattison Tuohy, Jennifer. "Matter smart home standard delayed until fall 2022". The Verge. Vox Media. Retrieved 18 April 2022.
  15. Grün, Frank-Oliver. "Here we go: matter in version 1.0 is ready". matter-smarthome.de. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  16. "iOS - Home". Apple. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  17. "Multi Device Ecosystems". Library Technology Reports. 52. 2016.
  18. "Set up your HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad as a home hub". Apple Support. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  19. Writer, Senior. "Nanoleaf puts HomeKit-over-Thread update on back burner". TechHive. Retrieved 2022-07-15.
  20. "How to Use the Temperature and Humidity Sensors on HomePod and HomePod Mini". MacRumors. Retrieved 2023-02-02.
  21. 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.
  22. 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.
  23. Rossignol, Joe. "Getting Started With HomeKit: A Beginner's Guide". www.macrumors.com. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  24. "How to add a home to the new Home app in iOS 10". iMore. 2016-08-23. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  25. Clover, Juli. "Here's the New 'Home' App for Controlling HomeKit Devices in iOS 10". www.macrumors.com. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
  26. "What's new in tvOS 14 for Apple TV". Apple Support. Retrieved 2023-03-26.
  27. "Other things you can ask Siri on Apple TV". Apple Support. Retrieved 2019-12-26.
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