Apple has its own smart home ecosystem called HomeKit. You may have seen the Home app on your iPhone, or seen mention of HomeKit in articles online. But what exactly does it do?
Here, we'll take a look at everything you need to know about what HomeKit is.
What Is HomeKit?
HomeKit is Apple's smart home ecosystem. The system is Apple's rival to Amazon's Alexa and Google Home, both of which are very similar. HomeKit exists to let you manage control any smart home devices in your household.
Smart home devices are any household products that you can control via the internet. These devices can include thermostats, light bulbs, plugs, and even doorbells. The name for the internet that controls smart devices is the Internet of Things (IoT), which you may have heard of.
Unlike Google Home and Alexa, products have to be certified to work with Apple's HomeKit. This gives HomeKit supported devices are higher level of security and protection against any potential threats. Extra protection is exactly what you want for the tech that controls your home.
What Does HomeKit Do?
HomeKit is the ecosystem behind controlling your smart home, rather than a product itself. Essentially, HomeKit is what makes your smart home tech work, not the actual smart home devices.
You'll find HomeKit built-in directly to iOS. The main place you'll find HomeKit is in the Home app. This is the app you'll find on all iOS or iPadOS devices that lets you control any smart home devices you have connected. Any HomeKit supported smart devices, the Home app, and any HomeKit features show Apple's Home logo.
It lets you turn devices on and off, manage settings, and use any other controls the device supports. HomeKit also controls any schedules or automations on your devices, such as turning off at a certain time. Although, you'll need an Apple Home Hub for these to work when you're not at home.
You'll also find HomeKit built-in to Siri and HomePod devices. This lets you ask Siri on any Apple device, including HomePods, to control your smart home devices. For example, you could yell out to Siri to turn off the lights. HomeKit is the technology that lets Siri turn off the lights.
The other side of HomeKit is in your smart home device. HomeKit supported devices have a special QR code you can scan for a quick set up. It also powers the smart technology inside the device that lets it turn itself off. Essentially, HomeKit will handle the functionality of your smart home device.
Use Your iPhone to Control Your Smart Home
Apple's HomeKit lets you control your smart home devices. Whether it's your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, or HomePod, you can take charge of your smart home devices.
