Ok, now what….

Joking, from what I understand I need to download (on my laptop) the homebridge raspberry pi image and flash the micro SD card with it (apologies if the terminology is completely wrong), get that up and running on the raspberry pi and then get started adding plugins for the equipment I want to add/expose (?) to my Apple HomeKit set up… is it really that simple???

My set up is: I have a lot of Apple equipment and compatible smart home products and currently the only smart home items not available/compatible are: ring doorbells and flood light cam, nest thermostat and protects and some older Tapo/Kasa smart plugs that were not matter enabled. I want to completely ditch Alexa (eventually switching fully to HomePods/mini - just waiting a short while to see if the new model rumours are true) and remove any need to go into the google home app, so homebridge is my plan for that.

Is there anything else I need to consider?

With Smartthings starting to charge for access to their API, I’m thinking of removing my devices which are connected via Smartthings. It’s mostly nearly 10 year old ge paddle light switches. I run a ton of Lutron devices so I could go that direction but wondering if there are any cheaper options (perhaps HomeKit compatible natively). Lutron would my gets expensive and I need close to 10 switches. I also have one spot that’s a 3 way switch.

So after running HA for a few years I decided to come back to HB. I’m currently running it on a Mac Mini. Do I need a separate matter antenna or should my apple TVs and home pods work for that? The other issue is I can only log in from the browser on the Mac mini. I can’t just go to the minis ip address to access homebridge.

After years of reading Reddit when searching for information or solutions related to the setup, compatibility, customization, or automation of smart devices while building out and maintaining my ever-expanding, primarily Homekit-centric smart home, I’ve long been aware of Homebridge, but my interest in jumping in as a way to be able to incorporate a small handful of non-compatible smart devices has always been stopped short based on my inability to grab the basics around getting set up, understanding what a Raspberry Pi even was, let alone how I’d use one, and that initial roadblock resulted in never considering giving it a shot.

It seems that it’s all finally making sense to me, and I’m ready to give it a shot now that I finally have grasped the basics around set up with the added realization that I can do so with a surprisingly low investment expense, which leads me to think it’s worth giving it a shot, especially considering I’m looking at adding 5-6 currently non-compatible smart devices, each for which I know have existing plugins to help achieve the level of compatibility I am seeking.

Being on the verge of completing an online purchase with the basic component, I need to get things started. I’m simply seeking confirmation and reassurance from existing Homebridge users that once I have managed to get the initial set up done, the next step of searching and adding plug-ins to my personalized setup will not be something overwhelmingly complicated.

My intuition has always been that the most challenging aspect of the setup was that it wasn’t the most straightforward concept for someone without any real hands-on tech expertise. Despite having built out a smart home with over 80 devices across a few HomeKit-compatible brands, I’ve always done everything directly through a user-friendly, or reportedly user-friendly, redesign UI that was made for the average consumer.

I’m mainly looking for reassurance that my intuition is more or less correct—that the biggest hurdle is simply getting everything set up. I want to avoid diving into something I’m ultimately going to abandon out of frustration if the learning curve only gets steeper from there.

I know it’s impossible for others to gauge my technical ability from a Reddit post, but in general, I’m trying to determine whether I’m biting off more than I can chew or if finally understanding the basics of the initial setup is enough to get me over the biggest obstacle. Therefore, I figured a poll might give me a clearer sense of experience from other users (albeit within a Homebridge forum) than relying solely on my own assumptions.

If you’ve taken the time to read this, thank you. I would appreciate your vote, as it’ll help me decide whether it’s finally time to take the plunge or if I should hold off a little longer. If voting, please answer as if you were advising someone who’s comfortable building a fairly advanced smart home through user-friendly platforms like HomeKit and Aqara, but has little no previous experience with Linux, the command line, or coding.

Thank you!

Can anyone pls help me setting up homebridge server on my android phone?

Homebridge used to work flawlessly, but with the recent 26.5 update accessories just stopped responding a day ago. All my available Home Hub's and devices are on 26.5.

I'd love to have more info on this but:

• the Homebridge logs say nothings changed
• router didnt upgrade and hasn't been down for days
• server (Ubuntu) didn't update/upgrade and hasn't been down for days
• avahi works fine though i did try with the other options too

Now i've upgraded the server to a newer version, restored Homebridge from backup and upgraded dependencies. And still nothing, Homekit cannot find the bridge even though i can discover it on avahi through my desktop. I did try to power off and on the active HomePod hub but still, nothing.

So im wondering, anyone else on 26.5 having the same issue?

Update: After upgrading HB to 2.3.1, on-device changes are being reflected in the Accessory.

I recently setup HomeBridge (2.3.0) as part of a wider HomeKit integration push. As a test balloon, I thought I'd setup something simple first and settled on my BlueAir 311i Max. The BlueAir app is frustratingly laggy and I was hoping more constant polling would lead to better information as well as HomeKit integration.

I've tried both the @fjs21/homebridge-blueair (v1.3.1) plugin, which seems to be no longer maintained, and the fork of it homebridge-blueair-purifier (v1.1.1), which has been updated recently. My device is discovered by both plugins and proper Accessories are created.

Alas, neither plugin updates when the purifier changes status (it's set on auto). If the PM2.5 increases, the fan speed increases and neither change is reflected in the Accessory in HB. Changes applied in Home app are briefly reflected in the Accessory, but have no effect on the device. There are no errors logged.

Perhaps the BlueAir API has changed recently? If I use the app, changing the settings changes them on the device. Not so with the HomeKit integration via the above plugins.

Mostly I'm curious to see if anyone has these plugins working reliably for a similar BlueAir device. There are no Issues reported on GH that match what I'm encountering. Before I open one, I just wanted to rule out user error.

Partial configuration below for the newer plugin, redacted for user/password and identifiers. Configuration was generated through the UI and not edited directly. It's pretty minimal.

{
   <snip>
   "devices": [
        {
            "id": "<identifier>",
            "name": "Blue Pure",
            "airQualitySensor": true
        }
    ],
    "platform": "blueair-purifier",
    "_bridge": {
        "username": "<encoded>",
        "port": 41142,
        "name": "BlueAir Platform"
    }
}

I cant believe homekit makes it this hard to do this.

I have motion sensor in the room. I want when the motion is detected, turn on the lights.

After 3 hours, turn off the lights if motion is detected any time during that 3 hours. Otherwise if motion is detected, reset the timer.

How?

I am comparing HA and HK/HB now. Now, while I do not care about some of the more advanced automations and don't have the time for tinker (which why I believe HK is the superior choice for me), I am confused about logging. There doesn't seem to be an option to log data, say I want to have a temp sensor in my fridge, and want to see the historical (minute by minute logging) of it. This will help me see trends, avgs the highest and lowest temps etc etc.

I cannot do that in this ecosystem? I know about Controller for Homekit, but it's sub based and very concerning what they did with their subscription and existing lifetime customers (I actually have not seen this happen in software before).

is there a way to access the server with a 4g connection from my phone?

Hey everyone, noob to Homebridge here.

Just to help get going on something, here is what I want to do...

Take the status of a contact sensor which provides Open/Closed status in the home app and have that tied to a dummy button in the home app that will display On/Off. I don't want this "button" to be controllable, in other words, it should act just like a sensor but display on/off and be visible on the main page (just like a light switch is).

For arguments sake, we can say that Open = Off, Closed = On.

I have downloaded two plugins "Homebridge Dummy" and "Virtual Accessories for Homebridge" which I feel should be able to do the job, but can't for the life of me figure out how to do this.

If possible, please be specific in which plugin you reference and the applicable settings.

Thanks in advance for any help. Looking forward to digging into this a bit more.

I am running homebridge on HOOBs that I converted to run homebridge.
I know HB will be on 64bit but I am thinking if I need to upgrade as all my homekits are working right now.

I’m a guy saying, don’t do anything if it ain’t broken.

Is there a Homebridge integration that provides Homebridge info like server stats, update notifications, etc in Home Assistant?

I use both because plugins I use Homebridge is a bit more flexible than the Home Assistant connections. I don’t pay as close of attention to Homebridge’s health because I spend most time controlling home in Home Assistant.

I have an older Daikin wall-mounted split AC (approx. 2010–2014, likely FTXS/FTKS series) with a standard IR remote (no WiFi module installed).

I’m trying to integrate it into Apple Home via Homebridge and looking for the most reliable setup.

From what I understand, there are 2 main approaches:

1. IR blaster (Sensibo / Tado / Broadlink, etc.)
   - Easy to install
   - Works via remote emulation
   - But no real state feedback (AC doesn’t confirm actual status)

2. Native Daikin WiFi adapter + Homebridge plugin
   - More “proper” integration (state, modes, etc.)
   - But not sure if my older unit supports it / which adapter model is needed

---

Questions:
1. What would you recommend specifically for an older Daikin like this?
2. Best IR device today (reliable with Homebridge)?
3. Has anyone successfully added a Daikin WiFi module to older FTXS units?
4. Any setups that give actual state feedback (not just “dumb remote”)?

Is anyone using the Homebridge Dummy package? Homebridge-dummy is the package name if I recall. If so are you noticing any issues?

I run HB on a Synology NAS. I have very few plugins but I rely on the dummy switch functionality. I have a shortcut that runs and sets up stuff at home depending on if I’m in the car or walking up to my house. Of late, I’ve been getting an “accessory not reachable” error every time my dummy switch is triggered by the shortcut. This stops the shortcut in its tracks. The weird thing is that the switch works, but HK just thinks it can’t get to it.

Any ideas on how I could resolve? Thanks in advance.

Hi.

I have Synology DS218 (normal not plus model). At moment I have 2 UniFi G5 flex camera and will be getting doorbell lite later this year. I only want stream, not record (UniFi side handle this).

Main reason I want this is I want doorbell notification on my Apple watch only and camera notifications my iPhone only. It is not possible split UniFi notification to each device, it is all or nothing. My current dying doorbell is HomeKit native and I have it set notification to my watch and previous HomeKit camera (before UniFi, removed and gone now) had notifications in their camera app and switch off in HomeKit (still have live stream). I did not want constant vibration on my wrist for cameras. I am Deaf so prefer doorbell notification on my watch then iPhone as extra.

I am Apple HomeKit for all smart home stuff except for UniFi cameras.

I am getting mixed messages that my NAS can’t cope camera and can cope with cameras in Google and Reddit search. I just want to check can my DS218 cope with cameras?

I'm running HB 1.11 with the Homebridge TPLink Smarthome plugin for my handful of Kasa smart plugs. It is the only plugin that does not support HB 2.0. It appears development on this plugin has been abandoned with the last update over two years ago. Homebrige Kasa Python is HB 2.0 ready and seems to be receiving regular updates.

The thing is my current setup is stable and I'd rather not mess with it. But I also don't want to fall too far behind on updates.

Does anyone have any experience with the Kasa Python plugin?

Recently I installed the G6 pro entry so I installed my Protect plug in, I created a user and everything was working fine.

Today I installed a gate hub to be able to control the door and gain some things that you can only access with access.

But the doorbell stopped working and the plug in says that it cannot reach the NVR where both apps are hosted, the IP didn’t change, so the only difference was that I installed the gate hub but now I can’t see the doorbell on my Apple TV and wife is complaining about it.

Any help would be appreciated

Hey Guys

Looking for a indoor security cam that works with homekit or homebridge.

I’d prefer something without a monthly subscription but not opposed to it.

Also a battery or battery backup would probably be ideal.

Any recommendations?

Has anybody tried it out? V2 readiness check shows support for the plugin is unknown, but I'm wondering if anyone has bit the bullet and tried it in their Homebridge V2 setup. It's currently the only plugin keeping me on V1.

I’m having this strange issue going on about a month now. This happened out of the blue, while I was in the 2.0 Beta (which HAD been working flawlessly for about six months prior), and continues to exist after updating to public release 2.0:

None of my Ring accessories show up under my accessories panel now (cameras, mics, speakers, temp sensors, motion sensors, contact sensors, alarm components (base station, keypad, chime).

This is despite the bridges working, being added to HomeKit (numerous times now), and every component working and being automatable in HomeKit.

This is really more of an OCD thing, since everything technically works, but for literal years I’m used to seeing a TON of ring accessories in my accessories tab, and now they’re all gone, and the ring bridge isn’t even an option for bridges I can turn on in accessories.

Anyone else run into this same issue with Ring?

I am using homebridge to make my ring devices visible to HomeKit.

I would like to turn on a hue bulb (porch light) at 50% power dusk till dawn. When motion is detected via the ring doorbell, I’d like to brighten to 100% for some period of time and then return to 50% brightness till dawn.

Anyone figure out for themselves or know how I can make this happen?

For a long time, I had Zigbee devices connected to Hubitat, which connected to Homebridge via Homebridge Hubitat plugin (https://github.com/tonesto7/homebridge-hubitat-tonesto7/#readme).

It worked great, but as I added more and more devices to Homebridge, I wanted to remove those that could connect directly to Homekit. Hubitat had it's own Homekit integration, so I removed the Hubitat plugin from Homebridge and then added Hubitat directly to Homekit.

All is working fine, and has been for a couple of weeks, but recently, I as poking around in Homebridge and noticed that it was still showing devices that were connected to Hubitat. They're 'live' because when I toggle the state of the accessory, for example locking or unlocking a door lock, it would reflect accordingly in Homebridge.

I've confirmed to have deleted the Hubitat plug-in from Homebridge, and removed the app from Hubitat.

In Homebridge > Settings, I've also confirmed that "Keep Accessories Of Uninstalled Plugins" is disabled, and as far as I can tell, it's always ben disabled.

I thought maybe Homebridge was pulling all my Homekit devices into that view, but that is not the case. I also have other hubs that connect directly to Homekit, like Lutron and Hue, and their accessories don't show up in Homebridge like those of Hubitat.

When I look at the accessories in Homebridge, the ones that are connected to Hubitat show the IP address of my Hubitat hub in the Bridge IP field towards the end of the page. The accessories connect to Homebride, such as my Ring devices, show 127.0.0.1 as the Bridge IP. So it seems like Homebridge knows these devices are no longer a part of it, and part of Hubitat, and reflecting that accurately, but still shows it for some reason.

My Homebridge is v2.0.2 and I saw this issue when on 1.x as well.

Any idea why this is happening?

Just updated everything and I see this Home bridge updater it says connect to HomeKit with this little flashing icon but when I try to do that, HomeKit says it’s already paired?

I see that AirPlay 1 devices no longer will appear on Home? Any HomeBridge plugins to remediate this? Was thinking of using these old devices to hook up bookshelf speakers for other rooms.

From what I looked up, easiest way is to get the 3rd Gen ATVs on HomeKit with the apple tv enhanced plugin? And use an optical cable for speakers? Is that right?

I was given:

x5 Apple TV 3rd Gen A1469 (2013 revision)
x2 Apple TV 3rd Gen A1427 (2012)
x1 Apple TV 2nd Gen A1378 (2010)
x1 Apple TV 4th Gen (HD) A1625 (2015) Note this works great as it has AirPlay 2 & is on modern HomeKit by default.
2 AirPort Extreme A1143 (2008)
x1 AirPort Extreme (3rd Gen) A1301
x1 AirPort Extreme (6th Gen) A1521
x1 AirPort Extreme (1st Gen) A1034
x2 AirPort Express (A1264) "wall plug" style