The Apple Home app lets you control HomeKit accessories from your iPhone (or iPad). HomeKit accessories are things like lights, thermostats, and locks that you place around your home. Apple’s HomeKit software framework lets you connect, manage, and automate these HomeKit accessories from within the Home app.
Beginner's Guide to Apple Home!
When buying home automation accessories, look for the “Works with Apple HomeKit” label. This means you can connect and control the accessory with your Home app. Devices that work with HomeKit include speakers, lights, switches, outlets, thermostats, windows, fans, air conditioners, humidifiers, air purifiers, sensors, security devices, locks, cameras, doorbells, garage doors, and sprinklers. (For more information about HomeKit, see Everything You Need to Know About Apple HomeKit.)
To add a device, open your Home app and tap the + in the upper-right corner, then tap Add Accessory. Point your iPhone (or iPad) camera at the HomeKit setup code, which is typically located on the accessory, on the accessory’s box, or in the documentation that came with it.
Some devices require an additional bridge to work with HomeKit. For example, to connect and control the widely available and popular Philips Hue light bulbs, you will need the Philips Hue Bridge. The bridge connects to your network via an Ethernet cable and accepts HomeKit commands, which it then passes on to connect Philips Hue devices.
