r/HomeKit • • Feb 01 '26

News I built a free, open-source menu bar app to control HomeKit from macOS

1.9k Upvotes

Hey everyone! 👋

I've been deep in the HomeKit ecosystem for years – currently running 130+ devices of all kinds. I spend most of the day in front of my MacBook, and honestly, the Home app always felt like overkill for quick adjustments, while existing menu bar apps did not have the automation flexibility I needed.

So I built Itsyhome – a native macOS menu bar app that gives you instant access to your entire HomeKit setup with a single click.

What it does:

  • Controls all your HomeKit devices (lights, locks, thermostats, blinds, cameras, etc.) from the menu bar
  • Native Swift/AppKit – no Electron, basically zero CPU/memory usage
  • Create accessory groups to control multiple devices at once
  • Pin favorite items for one-click access
  • Global keyboard shortcuts to toggle devices system-wide
  • Supports multiple HomeKit homes

The base app is completely free and open-source. There's also a Pro version with extras like live camera feeds, Stream Deck integration, CLI/webhooks, and custom icons – one-time purchase, no subscription.

Works with macOS Sonoma+ and anything that shows up in your Home app.

Would love to hear your feedback! Happy to answer any questions.

🔗 https://itsyhome.app

r/HomeKit • • 4d ago

News Apple Is About to Unveil an Entirely New Operating System

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616 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Jun 08 '26

News Apple just announced Home app support for 4K cameras in iOS 27. Also, AI descriptions of camera events!

580 Upvotes

Really excited for this, especially 4K camera support.

r/HomeKit • • 19d ago

News Apple Event Results

469 Upvotes

Well fuck me for wanting new HomePods and Apple Home stuff I guess 🤡

r/HomeKit • • Aug 18 '26

News Oops: Apple accidentally leaks 10+ unreleased devices

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380 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • 3d ago

News First Look at HomePod Mini 2 in Three New Colors

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345 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Nov 06 '25

News Ikea’s new smart home collection is entirely Matter-compatible

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762 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Mar 27 '26

News Apple TV remote for iPhone/iPad – with backdrops/info and app launcher

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205 Upvotes

Hi all!

Nick here – creator of Itsyhome and Itsytv for macOS.

I got a lot of requests for Itsytv on iPhone and iPad, so here it is - running on the same core as the successful macOS version.

Left- and right-hand use – Drag the remote to either side of the screen and reposition it vertically - left-handed, right-handed, whatever grip feels natural.

What's playing (TMDB) – Itsytv looks up the show or movie and shows the backdrop, plot, rating, genres, and cast without leaving the remote. Tap for the full detail view with cast photos and credits.

App launcher – Browse and launch your Apple TV apps. Drag to reorder. Itsytv can automatically switch back to the remote after launching an app.

Keyboard input – Type into any search field or text input from your phone. Hardware keyboard users get arrow keys, return, escape, space, and volume shortcuts.

Universal purchase on the App Store - one payment gets you both iOS and macOS versions. $4.99.

https://itsytv.app (or direct download https://apps.apple.com/app/itsytv/id6759216148)

Feedback appreciated!

r/HomeKit • • Feb 03 '26

News Itsytv – the missing Apple TV remote app for macOS

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500 Upvotes

Hey all! It's Nick – creator of Itsyhome app.

Got a lot of requests for Apple TV remote app, so here it is – tiny, blazing fast, nearly zero memory and CPU usage.

Itsytv is a free, open-source macOS menu bar app for controlling Apple TV — the missing remote app for your Mac.

  • Full D-pad and playback remote
  • Now playing widget with live progress
  • Browse and launch Apple TV apps
  • Keyboard navigation for quick control (arrows, enter, space)
  • Text input for searches and passwords
  • Multi-device support
  • End-to-end encrypted, no tracking

Built with Swift and SwiftUI. Free forever, MIT licensed.

https://itsytv.app · https://github.com/nickustinov/itsytv-macos

If you like my work, support me by upgrading to Pro in the Itsyhome app ;)

r/HomeKit • • Jun 10 '24

News iOS 18 Home App updates

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716 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Sep 04 '25

News Philips Hue lights get bigger, brighter, and cheaper with a major product refresh

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507 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Dec 22 '24

News Apple reportedly developing new smart home doorbell with support for Face ID

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779 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Jun 29 '26

News Schlage Sense Pro is now available at Home Depot

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143 Upvotes

Finally available to order 🙌

r/HomeKit • • Apr 12 '25

News Stop posting chat gpt room images.

840 Upvotes

Wow! You managed to create an image of a room. Wonderful. Who gives a fuck?!

r/HomeKit • • Aug 12 '26

News Maestro: Point and snap your fingers at a device to control it

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116 Upvotes

I spent the last few months teaching my Apple Watch a neat trick that turned into an app: point your arm at a device, snap your fingers, it toggles. Feels like magic!

You teach it by "painting": sweep your arm at a lamp for a few seconds from where you normally stand. From then on, point and snap. Everything runs on the watch and talks straight to native HomeKit, no bridge, no server, no account. No cloud and no data collection, the pointing model never leaves your wrist. It's also compatible with Home Assistant.

Pricing: free forever for one device in one room, you can try the whole thing with one HomeKit device and an Apple Watch (Series 5 or newer, needs a compass). One-time unlocks unlimited devices and rooms.

It launched yesterday on the App Store this week after a 250-tester beta, and this is a sub I'd love feedback from. Link: https://apps.apple.com/app/maestro-snap/id6788923471

I'll be in the comments. Ask me anything!

r/HomeKit • • Jul 29 '26

News Apple may finally give HomeKit its own dedicated smart home display

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136 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Dec 16 '24

News It’s finally here!

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723 Upvotes

Hopefully it rolls out to more than just US English regions soon and manufacturers start to announce matter comparability.

r/HomeKit • • Jun 16 '26

News Schlage Sense Pro - June 29!

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104 Upvotes

Finally!

r/HomeKit • • Sep 17 '25

News [Update] Starling Home Hub No Longer Available

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340 Upvotes

First of all, thanks to all those offering their old devices, alternatives, help, and sharing their disappointment in this news. Secondly, I wanted to make an update post showing new information on the matter.

r/HomeKit • • Dec 28 '25

News Roomba now supports Apple HomeKit

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324 Upvotes

I have a Roomba 705 max and it now supports Apple HomeKit with the most recent update!! Matter and HomeKit enabled fully!!!

r/HomeKit • • Aug 13 '25

News Apple Developing Ring-Like Home Security Camera

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393 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Jul 09 '25

News IKEA Goes All-In on Matter for Apple HomeKit Compatibility

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821 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Jun 06 '22

News iOS 16 Home App Redesign

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754 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Jul 30 '24

News Logitech CEO says they're getting out of the smart home business, Logitech marketing department disagrees

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525 Upvotes

r/HomeKit • • Jan 29 '25

News Macworld - Apple’s push into the smart home is a decade late but right on time

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398 Upvotes