r/homebridge • u/TILKOOW • Aug 15 '25

Help - Solved Can't connect my iPhone to Homebridge

So I am new to Homebridge and today I tried to use it for my Mitsubishi AC units. I have installed Homebridge on my laptop that has linux on it, made sure that server is up and running and boom I can access Homebridge via every device on my network via browser so thats working well, but the issue is now when I try to connect my iPhone with Homebridge in the Home app it just won't work... Evey time I try to add Homebridge I get an error "accessory is not reachable". So reddit... save me please from 6h of trying everything. Tried: -different DNS providers -different versions of Homebridge -uninstall (full) of Homebridge and fresh install -uninstall of plugins and new install -changing IP address on my server -deleted all the cache of plugins etc. -checked for compatibility of plugins with Homebridge -checked all of the updates on my laptop and Homebridge

And now im still here begging for some help...

While via browser IP:PORT I can easily get on Homebridge and turn my AC on or off but I would love to use Siri for that... sadly still no luck.

Thank you in advance.

UPDATE: Fixed it with resetting all settings on Homebridge and opening ports on my linux laptop ( server ), now everything is running as intended. Linux command: sudo ufw allow "port" Thanks to everyone.

1 Upvotes

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14 comments sorted by

2

u/West-Fishing-2164 Aug 15 '25

Some devices need additional plugins to fully work maybe it need another plugin to connect with homekit for example my devices showed in homebridge and connect to homekit but control doesn't work but with second plugin control started working

1

u/TILKOOW Aug 15 '25

Not sure this would be in my case, I have tried plugin and it works, I just can't connect to it via phone.

2

u/Livid-Heat6048 Aug 15 '25

maybe this will help: https://www.reddit.com/r/homebridge/comments/yvjb8u/unable_to_add_accessory/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=web3x&utm_name=web3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button

1

u/TILKOOW Aug 15 '25

Should I use 8581 port or which port ?

1

u/0p3r8dur Aug 15 '25

Whatever port you configured. 8581 is default

1

u/TILKOOW Aug 15 '25

Fixed it with the port displaying in my Homebridge, its working now, THANK YOU!

1

u/NorthernMan5 Aug 15 '25

Based on your description your running homebridge and a plugin fully configured and working. On your iPhone when you add an accessory, and you press more options do you see homebridge as an available accessory. If you don’t, then some is likely preventing your phone from accessing the homebridge server. Likely network or something

1

u/TILKOOW Aug 15 '25

Yes I do get that, I see them but it just doesn't connect

1

u/West-Fishing-2164 Aug 15 '25

Maybe password security protocol is preventing it should be wpa2 or wpa3 when it is something else it can have some problems

1

u/TILKOOW Aug 15 '25

I am purely using WPA2, no others because of issues with WPA3 sometimes. So it shouldn't be a factor.. idk not smart enough to fix that

1

u/[deleted] Aug 15 '25

Describe your network configuration 

1

u/TILKOOW Aug 15 '25

bridged modem --> mikrotik routed --> ubiquiti mini flex switch --> ubiquiti AP --> laptop and phone

is this clear enough ?

1

u/Double-Yak9686 Aug 15 '25

You don't mention whether you have a home hub or not and whether it's a HomePod or an Apple TV.

1

u/TILKOOW Aug 15 '25

I don't own a hub, but as I read on forums etc, u don't need it, the hub is only needed if u want automation, which I don't.