So I am thinking of moving my smart home over to the following setup.
Apple Homekit for individual device and voice control (via Siri) and Homey to handle all of the primary automatons.
I am still a little confused with how Homey works with Apple. So really curious to hear how people with a similar setup are liking it. What issues have you run into.
My main questions are around the two apps I see for Apple Homekit
- The first app is either the Homey Experiment or Home Kitty. What this does is any device that you have in Homey can be pushed to Apple HomeKit for direct control. Are there any limitations here? Like are any devices not able to work in Apple that work in Homey. The two that I have that I am most curious about are Ring Doorbells and Nest Thermostats.
- The second app I see is ‘HomeKit Controller’ the way I understand this is that you can use this app to pair any Homekit Compatible device to Homey. So let’s say I want to get an Aqara lock ( Smart Lock U100) that does not require an Aqara Hub as it can pair directly with an Apple Hub. Will this app allow me to integrate the Lock into Homey, even though this device is not showing as supported under the Aqara app?
I hope that makes sense.
Thanks.
With some help from Perplexity AI I found that:
You’re considering a setup where Apple HomeKit is used for direct device control and voice (Siri), while Homey handles your automations. You’re also looking at two main Homey integrations with HomeKit: the HomeKit Experiment (or HomeKitty) to push Homey devices into Apple Home, and HomeKit Controller to bring HomeKit devices into Homey. Here’s a clear breakdown of how these work, their limitations, and how your specific devices (Ring Doorbell, Nest Thermostat, Aqara Lock U100) fit in.
Homey → Apple HomeKit: HomeKit Experiment / HomeKitty
How it works:
- The HomeKit Experiment (or HomeKitty app) exposes most Homey-connected devices to Apple HomeKit. This means you can see and control these devices from the Apple Home app and via Siri314.
- Setup is straightforward: enable the experiment in Homey settings, pair Homey with Apple Home using a PIN, and your devices appear in HomeKit314.
Limitations and Issues:
- Device Type Support: Not every device or every function is perfectly mapped. Some device types or advanced features may not show up or may have limited functionality in HomeKit. For example:
- Ring Doorbell: When pushed to HomeKit via HomeyKit/HomeKitty, it typically only appears as a motion sensor, not as a camera or a full-featured doorbell. This is because HomeKit expects a specific device class, and Homey may expose the Ring as a generic sensor. Full camera/doorbell features are not available unless the app developer specifically maps them5.
- Nest Thermostat: Nest is not natively HomeKit compatible. If you connect it to Homey and then to HomeKit, you’ll likely get only basic functionality (like temperature control), with advanced features (fan, eco mode, etc.) missing. This is a limitation of HomeKit’s device model and the way Nest exposes its features6.
- Device Sync Issues: Sometimes, new devices added to Homey do not automatically appear in HomeKit. A workaround is to disable and re-enable the HomeKit connection, but this may require reconfiguring devices in HomeKit211.
- General Reliability: Most users find the integration stable for common device types (lights, switches, sensors), but quirks remain for more complex devices1414.
Apple HomeKit → Homey: HomeKit Controller
How it works:
- The HomeKit Controller app for Homey allows you to pair HomeKit-compatible devices directly with Homey, making them available for automations and control in Homey712.
- This is useful for devices that are HomeKit-only or do not have direct Homey support.
Aqara Lock U100 Example:
- The Aqara U100 can pair directly with Apple Home without an Aqara hub8.
- Using HomeKit Controller, you should be able to add the U100 to Homey, even if it’s not supported by the Aqara app for Homey79.
- The process: Pair the lock with HomeKit, then use HomeKit Controller in Homey to discover and add the lock using its HomeKit PIN7.
- Caveat: Not every function of the lock may be exposed-HomeKit Controller supports a wide range of services, but some vendor-specific features might not be available immediately7. Core features like lock/unlock and status should work.
Device-Specific Notes
- Ring Doorbell: Only shows as a motion sensor in HomeKit via Homey; no camera or doorbell features5.
- Nest Thermostat: Limited control in HomeKit (e.g., temperature only), advanced features not available6.
- Aqara U100 Lock: Can be added to Homey via HomeKit Controller even if not supported by Aqara app, but some advanced features may not be exposed79.
General Advice
- For the most seamless experience, use Homey for automations and Apple HomeKit for direct control and Siri, as you plan.
- Expect some limitations with complex devices-check community forums for device-specific workarounds or updates.
- HomeKit Controller is increasingly robust, but always confirm that your must-have features are supported for each device.
If you have more specific devices in mind check device compatibility lists for the latest support status.
If your goal is advanced automation, broad device compatibility, and still having seamless Apple Home/Siri control, then installing apps and devices directly on Homey Pro, then exposing them to Apple HomeKit (using the HomeKit Experiment or HomeKitty), is generally the most flexible and robust solution for most users in your situation.
Why This Approach Is Often Better
- Centralized Automation: Homey Pro offers far more powerful and flexible automation (Flows, Advanced Flows) than Apple HomeKit alone17. By installing all your devices and relevant apps on Homey, you can leverage these advanced features for all your devices-regardless of their native HomeKit compatibility.
- Device Support: Homey Pro supports a much wider range of devices and protocols (Zigbee, Z-Wave, IR, RF, etc.) than Apple HomeKit, which is limited to devices with official HomeKit (or Matter) support27. Devices that aren’t natively supported by Apple can still be controlled via Homey, then exposed to HomeKit for Siri and Home app control57.
- Local Control: Devices paired directly to Homey Pro are typically controlled locally, offering faster response times and greater reliability than cloud-based integrations2.
- Unified Interface: Once devices are on Homey, you can choose which ones to expose to Apple HomeKit. This means your Apple Home app and Siri can still be your main control interface, but Homey handles the logic and device management357.
How It Works
- Install devices and apps on Homey Pro. Pair all your smart home devices with Homey, using the appropriate Homey apps for each brand or protocol7.
- Enable the HomeKit Experiment or HomeKitty. This exposes your Homey devices to Apple HomeKit, letting you control them from the Apple Home app and via Siri357.
- Automate in Homey, control via Apple. Use Homey’s advanced automation for routines, but keep Apple Home/Siri as your main user interface for everyday control148.
Limitations and Considerations
- Device Mapping: Not all device types or features are perfectly represented in HomeKit when exposed via Homey (e.g., some sensors may show up as generic devices, cameras may lack video streaming)67.
- HomeKit Experiment is Beta: The HomeKit integration is still considered experimental, so while it works well for most, occasional quirks or missing features can occur57.
- Thread/Matter Support: Homey Pro is adding support for newer standards like Thread and Matter, but not all features/devices may be fully supported yet7.
User Experiences
Many users with similar setups have reported that moving automations to Homey while keeping Apple Home as the main interface provides the best of both worlds: advanced automation and broad device compatibility, with the convenience of Siri and the Apple Home app for daily use148.
Be aware that Homekit Controller only supports wifi based devices
Thanks. That is an important note.
Matter will connect to Homey directly
Thread and BLE are the problematic ones
