Homekit Automation Question

Question

Homekit Automation Question

I just set up my Homekit devices (some of which are also linked with Smartthings). I checked the Apple TV4K and the hub seems to be in order (we don't have a homepod). My wife and I both have the Home and Nest apps on our iPhones (X and Xs). All my devices show up on both of our Home Apps and work fine with touch or Siri.

We have a keypad front door lock which is hard to see in the dark. I created an automation to turn on the front porch light (Lutron) for 3 minutes when "anyone" comes home.

We both were away and I checked my Nest app and it concurred.

I came home first in the dark and the porch light was on.

My wife came home around an hour later and it didn't work.

Does "Anyone" mean the automation works for anyone but only once?

When I came home the Nest reads HOME instead of AWAY.......I bet that did it.

I don't need the Nest Home/Away function for Nest.....should I just turn it off in Nest?

iPhone XS, iOS 12

Posted on Jun 25, 2019 4:14 AM

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Answer 1

Jun 26, 2019 12:25 AM in response to Vancouver22

I had already checked your list and I just checked it again. We use my Apple ID on Homekit and I invited my wife to share and she accepted (her picture appears) and she can control all devices. My Apple TV is the hub.

The first time we tested it - it worked for my phone but not for hers. I checked both phones and all functions of Home were working for both.

Last night we tried again. When I came home the light was on. When she came home hours later, it wasn't. Since she always uses the garage - she doesn't need the porch light on - so practically it doesn't matter.....but I'd like to know what I am doing wrong. (I suspect she may have done something like put it in airplane mode for her meeting - I need to investigate her phone)

I have other automations - not Home/Away dependent - which are working fine.

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Answer 2

Vancouver22

Level 8

37,646 points

Jun 26, 2019 5:25 PM in response to dennisfromten mile

It’s important you’ve done this section:

Get started

Update your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch to the latest version of iOS. To use the Home app on a Mac, update your Mac to the latest version of macOS.
Make sure that you have one or more products that support HomeKit or AirPlay 2. To check if a product is supported, look for the labels “Works with Apple HomeKit” or "Works with Apple AirPlay"* on the product packaging or online.
To use and manage your home in the Home app on all of your devices, sign in to iCloud with your Apple ID on every device. Then turn on iCloud Keychain and Home in iCloud Settings.

You might want to check if any of your accessories need a software update as well. Mine are always needing updates.
Moreover I’d troubleshoot the wifi - reboot the router and if you’re using Dual Bands it can be an issue. It will keep hopping from one to another trying to establish the higher speed. You’d need to disable one and set the other as default.

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