How to add Alexa to Apple HomeKit devices
If you have an iPhone, then HomeKit is an easy selection for you. But, HomeKit isn’t as advanced as Amazon Alexa as it supports a wide range of smart devices. So, you can now get the best of both smart home platforms. Wondering whether Alexa can control Apple HomeKit devices? Now, you can control your Smart Home Devices with both Alexa and HomeKit. So, if you want to use the Apple Home app and Alexa voice commands via your Echo devices, I’ll share more in the rest of the article. Let’s take a look at Alexa HomeKit integration.
In this article, you’ll learn:
- Getting to know Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit
- Ways to connect Alexa to Apple HomeKit devices
- How to connect Alexa to Apple HomeKit using Homebridge
- How to connect Alexa to Apple HomeKit using HOOBS
- How to set up and use the Alexa App on your iPhone?
- Other ways to connect Alexa to control Apple devices
- Best HomeKit devices that can be controlled by Alexa
Getting to know Amazon Alexa and Apple HomeKit
Alexa is the most popular and widely used smart voice assistant like Siri. It uses Alexa skills to control its smart devices. Also, you can ask anything from Alexa such as about the weather, play songs, and make video calls. Apart from the Amazon products like the Echo dot, it is also available as an app.
Apple HomeKit is Apple’s smart home ecosystem that leads to security and privacy. HomeKit allows you to control all your compatible smart devices in one place. Also, with this system, you can create commands using Siri. And, HomePod is Apple’s original smart speaker with Siri. Sometimes, you may be thinking not to use any other voice assistant aside from its beloved Siri.
When compared to Apple HomeKit, Alexa is more compatible with many smart home devices than Siri. But, with Alexa HomeKit integration, you can do many things. But, if you want to control your HomeKit devices via Alexa, you’ll need both Apple HomeKit and Alexa.
Best ways to connect Alexa to Apple HomeKit devices
If you want to add Alexa voice control to your HomeKit-enabled devices, you can use these solutions. Following are the few solutions for you.
Homebridge Solution (Software solution)
Homebridge is a lightweight node JS server. This is free to install on your hardware. This opens your HomeKit home to non-compatible accessories and services like Alexa. Let’s see how to connect Alexa to Apple HomeKit devices using Homebridge.
Anyone who hasn’t any coding experience and technical knowledge to install homebridge, Kodmy experts are ready to help you. You can simply request to install Homebridge to your mac/PC and they also help to connect Alexa to Apple HomeKit devices.
HOOBS Solution (Hardware solution)
HOOBS is a plug and play system. If you want to take the easy route, you can use this HOOBS to add Alexa voice control to your HomeKit devices. Also, They offer hundreds of plugins. Let’s see how to add Alexa to control Apple HomeKit devices using HOOBS
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You can also use Raspberry Pi to control Apple HomeKit devices with Amazon Alexa. It is small sized computer that can be used for Home Automation and more. And, it is the cheapest way.
Apart from that, you can use Alexa to control your Apple devices such as Apple TV and ApplePod mini using the following methods:
- Connect through Bluetooth
- Connect through a wired connection
- Connect through hub-based remote
How to use Alexa to control Apple HomeKit devices using Homebridge
You can use Homebridge to connect Alexa to Apple HomeKit. So, you can control Apple HomeKit devices or homebridge devices with Alexa voice control. Yes, Homebridge-alexa plugin can be used to control HomeKit/Homebridge devices. Typically, it is used to connect smart devices that don’t implement the HomeKit protocol to the Apple Home ecosystem. So, Let’s see how to create an Alexa HomeKit bridge using the Alexa HomeKit skill.
Sometimes, you have no coding experience. If you can’t install Homebridge yourself, our Kodmy experts are ready to help you.
Homebridge-alexa plugin
This homebridge-alexa plugin enables Alexa to control your homebridge smart devices. Do remember! This plugin doesn’t connect Alexa-enabled devices into the Homebridge. But, it uses an Alexa skill-based approach for integration between homebridge and Alexa.
If you want to know how to add Homebridge to your device, you can find our article on how to add any devices to HomeKit. Let’s see other steps to add Alexa to the Apple HomeKit device.
- Create Homebridge-Alexa Cloud Services Account
- Install and Configure the Plugin
- Enabling and link the Homebridge smart home skill
Create Homebridge-Alexa Cloud Services Account
Create an account at https:/www.homebridge.ca/. (validate the email address and use case sensitive username and password)
Note: This account information will be important to configure the plugins and linking the Homebridge smart home skills
Install and Configure the plugin
Step 01: To install the Homebridge UI, search for Homebridge Alexa plugin from the plugin tab and install it
Step 02: Then, you have to configure the Homebridge UI. To do this, enter the username and password you created.
Note: Please enter Homebridge PIN under the optional setting, if you have changed from the default 031–45–154. Otherwise, there’s no need to change it.
Step 03: Restart homebridge
For those who are not using the Homebridge UI, there’re legacy setup instructions that contain advanced configuration options.
The Homebridge-Alexa plugin is extremely easy to set up and, in contrast to other plugins, doesn’t create any devices for the Apple Home App. Check out my Homebridge setup instructions and add any devices to Homekit here, if you haven’t got Homebridge setup on your device.
Install homebridge-Alexa plugin
Once you add Homebridge to your PC/Mac, you can install the homebridge-alexa plugin.
Step 01: Open the terminal on your Mac/PC and type the following command to install the plugin
sudo npm install -g homebridge-alexaStep 02: You must register at https://www.homebridge.ca after installation. To link this Homebridge plugin and your account, this account will be important (Homebridge Alexa account).
Edit the configuration file
You can configure the Homebridge plugin after creating your account. Then, you have to add the platform to the config.json file before running the plugin. If you want to find the full list of plugin’s parameters, you can find it here: https://www.npmjs.com/package/homebridge-alexa#optional-parameters
In the majority of scenarios, the code following is fine.
"platforms": [
{
"platform": "Alexa",
"name": "Alexa",
"username": "username",
"password": "P4ssw0rd",
"pin": "031-45-154",
"refresh": 900
}
]You only need to do this on one instance of Homebridge if you have many instances of Homebridge running. This homebridge-alexa plugin will automatically discover the other Homebridge devices to Alexa.
You have to run Homebridge in the insecure mode for this plugin to operate correctly. You can start Homebridge with the following command to do this.
homebridge -IEnabling and linking the Homebridge Smart Home Skill
Step 01: Open the Alexa app after saving your config.json file.
Step 02: Search for the Homebridge skill in the “Skills and Games” section using the burger menu.
Step 03: Install the Alexa skills once you’ve found the skill.
Step 04: You have to log in to your account and use the same credentials. Following this, you’ll be prompted to discover devices, which will add all of your Homebridge devices to Alexa and take about 20 seconds.
Now, you are able to control Homebridge/Apple HomeKit devices with Alexa voice control. But, you cannot control every Homekit-enabled device with Alexa.
How to use Alexa to control Apple Homekit devices using HOOBS
Alexa HOOBS plugin enables Alexa to control your HOOBS-controlled devices. This also uses the Alexa skill-based approach to do it.
Get HOOBS all in one for $241.99
Steps by steps to use Alexa to control Apple HomeKit devices with HOOBS
- Connect HOOBS to your network
- Set up a HOOBS account
- Install the Alexa plugin
- Create an Account for the Alexa cloud service
If you want to know how to do the following steps, you can find a step guide to add any devices to HOOBS to know more. Let’s find out how to do the configuration.
Configuration
Step 01: Create an account on https://www.homebridge.ca/newuser . Then you can link your account Alexa to HOOBS.
Note: This account will be important when you do the configuration of plugin in HOOBS and enable the Alexa skill in the Alexa App.
Step 02: After then, you want to go to the HOOBS interface and the Alexa plugin configuration
Note: In the configuration, you have to log in to the Alexa cloud service account you created earlier using your credentials.
Step 03: Next, you want to search for the “Homebridge” Skill, and then you can enable this skill.
Step 04: You also want to enable and link the Alexa skill to the Alexa cloud service account on https://www.homebridge.ca/
Step 05: Finally, Alexa can find your devices. You just need to simply say Alexa, discover devices. Then, you can see many devices returned to Alexa. That’s it.
How to set up and use the Alexa App on your iPhone?
In fact, if you want to use Alexa to control Apple HomeKit devices, you need to download the Alexa App on your iPhone. So, with this integration, you can control your Homekit devices such as Apple Music, Apple TV, etc.
There’re a few steps to set up Alexa on your iPhone.
Step 01: First, you need to go to the Appstore
Step 02: Then, you can type Alexa in the search bar
Step 03: Click the get button
Step 04: Finally, open the Alexa app after downloading the app.
If you’re keen to talk to Amazon Alexa and give it a command, you can go to the Amazon Alexa app. Here you can see a button at the bottom of the interface. Finally, you are going to use Alexa on your iPhone. Now, you can give any command and talk with Alexa by pressing this button. Also, there’s no difference when talking about Alexa on the App and Amazon Echo.
You may get this Amazon Echo Dot 4th Gen from Amazon.
Want to replace Siri with Alexa on your iPhone?
You can change the default voice assistant for your Android devices between Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. But, Apple devices have only one default digital assistant. You cannot select any default digital assistant. So, you cannot replace Siri with Alexa on your iPhone. But, you can use Alexa to control Apple devices. So, you can use both digital assistants seamlessly together.
Other ways to connect Alexa to control Apple devices
How to connect Alexa to control Apple TV
If you want to control Apple TV with your voice, it can be a challenge. Now, you can control your Apple TV with Alexa. There’re several ways to connect Apple TV to Alexa.
- Connect through Bluetooth
You can connect Apple TV to Alexa using Bluetooth connectivity. First, you can use Apple TV to set up a Bluetooth connection (Go to the Apple TV settings > Tap on remote and device > Click on Bluetooth). Then, you can go to the Alexa App on your smartphone (Open the Devices tab > Press all devices > Select your Alexa device to pair and click on that > Select Bluetooth devices and tap “Pair and new devices”).
- Connect through a wired connection
Also, you can connect Apple TV to Alexa echo dot using a cable. There’s a setting menu on your Apple TV and open it (Go to the category > Select audio and audio > Click on default audio option > Select TV speaker > Connect cable to Alexa Echo and TV port > Find audio option within TV setting > Switch off TV’s speaker).
- Connect through hub-based remote
With a smart home hub like Alexa echo dot or Harmony hub, you can connect Alexa to your Apple TV. So, you just want to tell Alexa to turn on the Bluetooth connection. Then, you can go to your Apple TV and find settings. After that, you want to go to Bluetooth. Finally, you’re almost done with connecting Apple TV to Alexa.
Follow these steps to use Alexa to control Apple HomeKit devices using Harmony hub.
Step 01: Download the Harmony Hub app on your iPhone
Step 02: Find add devices. ( if you can’t find your Apple TV on the list of devices, you can go to the search tab, then type the version of the Apple TV and enter account details for your Apple TV)
Step 03: To turn on your Apple TV, create an activity and input the voice command on the Harmony hub you want to use.
Step 04: Make an activity list to enable Alexa to access the Apple TV via Harmony Hub (turning on the TV > setting the input > connecting the audio > save > )
Step 05: Lastly, to enable the action, say the trigger phrase to do so.
How to connect Alexa to control Apple Music (Alexa and Apple music)
Now, your Apple subscription is in your Alexa app. So, if you want to play your Apple Music, you can easily do so on your Echo devices. All you need to play Apple music is an Apple Music subscription, and Amazon devices (Amazon Echo, Amazon Fire TV, and Alexa-enabled speaker, and Amazon Alexa App).
Simple steps to set up Apple music on Alexa. First, you need to download Amazon Alexa App. Then, Tap settings after clicking a menu button and you’ll see Alexa preferences. Next, you want to tap music and click a link to a new service. Then, again click Apple Music and enable the use button. Finally, you can sign in with your Apple ID. That’s it.
Best HomeKit devices that can be controlled by Alexa
HomeKit/Homebridge devices supported
- Lightbulbs, outlets and switches
- Dimmable light bulbs, outlets, and switches
- Color light bulbs
- Speakers
- Apple TV
- Temperature Sensors
- Motion Sensors
- Contact Sensors
- Thermostat
- Heater/Cooler
- Door locks ( Lock and status only, Alexa does not support unlocking )
- HomeKit Television ( Initial support only On/Off, Inputs and Volume Control )
- Garage Doors and Window Coverings/Blinds
- Doorbells
- Air Purifiers
- Valves
- Occupancy Sensors
Which brands and devices support Both Alexa and HomeKit?
- Smart Plugs — Meross Smart Plug, Wemo WiFi Smart Plug
- Smart Bulbs — Philips Hue, Lifx Mini
- Video Doorbell — Arlo video doorbell
- Smart Locks — August WiFi Smart Lock
- Smart Thermostat — Tado Smart thermostat, ecobee thermostat
Unsupported devices types
- Camera’s ( for use with an Alexa show etc )
- Eve devices
- Security Systems
FAQs about Alexa Homekit
01. Does Alexa work with Apple HomeKit?
No. Alexa is a digital platform of Amazon and HomeKit is Apple’s smart home platform. You cannot connect these two directly. If you want to use Alexa to control Apple HomeKit devices, you can connect the device to HomeKit Hub.This hub is also compatible with Alexa. So, both HomeKit and Alexa work seamlessly together. Also, you can install the Alexa app on your iPhone. Then you can control Apple devices with Alexa after pairing your iPhone with Alexa on Echo speaker.
02. Can I use Alexa and HomeKit at the same time? (Using Alexa and HomeKit together)
You may utilize your smart home appliances with Alexa and the Apple Home app (including Siri), provided they are HomeKit and Alexa compatible.
As a result, you can continue to use your Echo devices and the Home app on your iPhone. Additionally, it is useful if a specific voice assistant’s service is interrupted.
