Level 1

43 points

HomeKit remote access not always working

I've had a couple HomeKit accessories for quite a while now (Phillips Hue lights, Sensi thermostat), and at first they worked pretty well. Lately, the automation's that I have set up, and remote access quits working after a couple days. I have a 4th Generation Apple TV set up as the home hub. I have made sure that:

The Apple TV is connected to the Internet and on the same Wi-Fi network as my other iOS devices during set up.

Updated with the latest version of tvOS, iOS.

I can control my accessories in the Home app on my iOS device (using WiFi).

On my Apple TV, in Settings > Accounts > iCloud, it shows HomeKit as Connected.

But when I disable WiFi on my iPhone, the HomeKit app shows my accessories (and Phillips Hue hub) as "No Response". To fix this I usually get on the Apple TV and log out, then log back into iCloud and it will start working again - for a couple days. Then the automation's quit working, and I check again for a remote connection where I get "No Response". I can always turn the accessories (lights) on and off using WiFi in my home, but remote access and automation's are gone. Any ideas?

BTW I always put the Apple TV to sleep when I'm done with it and the remote access and automation's have worked fine for months at a time without issues (and without me turning on the Apple TV).

Apple TV, tvOS 10.2.2

Posted on Aug 4, 2017 7:07 AM

Top-ranking reply

falterego

Level 1

25 points

Posted on Mar 12, 2019 6:49 AM

Here’s what I spent a good chunk of last weekend doing.

Setup my new TP Link AC5400 router to replace the old and tired AirPort Extreme
Delete all scenes and accessories from HomeKit
Delete/unpair/unregistered all devices from their respective apps
Deleted my home from the HomeKit app
Factory reset all devices (when I say all I mean all, including Apple TV and iPhone)
Sign into the newly-reset iphone and then the Apple TV
Installed the Lutron app for lights And setup the entire Lutron system in the Lutron app
Installed the Hue app And setup my one individual Hue bulb in the Hue app
Installed the Ecobee app and setup the Ecobee 3 device in the app
Opened HomeKit for the first time since deleting my home in step 3
Added my 3 systems one by one into HomeKit making sure each device was setup before moving to the next one, this way I don’t have to go back and change a single thing once I’m done
Configured individual scenes and tested each scene after it was created
** dramatic pause **
Turned. Off. WiFi.
** second dramatic pause **
IT WORKED!

I was able to tell Siri to turn on the lights for the dogs and everything happened like clockwork. I left WiFi off on my phone for the rest of the night to make sure the other Siri controlled scenes and schedules worked. The next morning I woke up and the lights I scheduled for my morning routine we’re all running properly. So I turned WiFi back on for the phone and felt my eyes welling up with tears.

When Apple says reset or factory reset, they mean EVERY. SINGLE. THING. Perhaps all of this wasn’t necessary for most people. But with the new router I changed my SSID for a couple reasons. So reconnecting everything to WiFi is really only two steps away from factory resetting it all.

Lets see what the next few days hold for me. It was a solid 5 hours of non stop resetting/downloading/configuring/testing and I’d really like it to last longer than a week this time.

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114 replies

Leo95se

Level 1

4 points

Jan 27, 2019 4:45 PM in response to Newday3000

I’ve tried all of the last 7 pages. It’s frustrating to log out of iPhone I cloud because of all of the resets. My guess is there is a conflict between HomePod and Apple TV. It’s getting a little tiring to not have lights on for my dog in the evening when a $5 plug in timer worked perfectly fine. Instead, I’ve adopted to an entire hue system integrated into HomeKit and my little guy sits in the dark. So.. I upgraded to a HomePod. Didn’t fix it. Then.. I upgraded my ATV from a 2.0 to a 4 and it got even worse/less consistent. Maybe I’m biased as I come from the real estate industry and expect/see automation that works. What gives, apple?

Leo95se

Level 1

4 points

Feb 12, 2019 7:31 AM in response to falterego

Wow that’s worse than me! (Based on your efforts)

ive migrated off the HomeKit automation and have individual apps using their independent controls. A little clunky since there isn’t integration, but reliable. Fortunately , I never surrendered my ecobee schedules to HomeKit so they have been intact.

I respect this is an apple forum, but it doesn’t seem we are seeing results. Anyone try the wink system? I hear it’s pretty reliable.

Mar 17, 2019 11:00 AM in response to falterego

It’s been a whopping week and already problems.

When I’m on WiFi at home all my devices work just fine. When I’m not on WiFi at home I can control my Ecobee 3 and my Philips Hue system, but NOT my Lutron wall switches. The Lutron app can still remotely control my switches though.

Last night I did a restart of the Apple TV that acts as the home hub hoping that would fix it, but no luck. I also have a daily 2:00 AM restart of the Apple TV programmed into my Harmony system that made me not believe it would be the fix. I also restarted the Lutron hub to no avail. At least the thermostat works (for now) which was my primary concern. As it warms up in LA I’m going to need the air conditioning to turn on when it’s supposed to.

IoT is dead to me after this failed experiment. Aside from about $500 on equipment my only real investment is my personal time setting up over and over and over...and I still have the individual apps to control things. I just wish Apple gave 1/2 a flying **** about their own product that has repeatedly failed for so many years for so many users.

tommy0349 Author

Level 1

43 points

Aug 7, 2017 7:15 AM in response to sterling r

Well actually I've tried all these steps and I still have intermittent connection issues. In fact last night the automations started working again without me doing anything. I could not connected remotely the day before, but I did not sign out and back into iCloud from the Apple TV. I just left it alone, but last night the lights came on just as they should.

One thing that bothers me is step 3 of the "Get help with your home hub". It states:

Make sure that your device is set up as a home hub:

On your Apple TV, go to Settings > Accounts > iCloud and make sure that your Apple TV shows HomeKit as Connected. If you don’t see HomeKit, then your Apple TV isn't connected as a home hub.

My settings will say that HomeKit is connected, but yet I can't connect remotely. Why is that?

Tom

Oct 25, 2017 8:47 AM in response to tommy0349

It’s sad that you never received a reply to this.

I’m having the same issue as you. Everything is up to date, signed in to the same account, etc. I logged out and back in on all devices, etc., still no remote access when not connected to home WiFi.

I just managed to fix the issue by going on the Apple TV to Settings > Accounts > iCloud and toggling “Connected” / “Not Connected” off and on about 6 times with the Home app open on my phone.

Somehow this solved it, but we’ll see how long it lasts.

cawgolf

Level 1

4 points

Dec 29, 2017 5:40 PM in response to cawgolf

The jury is still out, but I am temporarily having success following the recommendations in this link. Apple TV HomeKit Disconnected

I made a channel adjustment to my router which was previously set to automatic and reflecting "severe" interference. Let's see what happens....

Jan 3, 2018 5:30 PM in response to tommy0349

I have used homekit from inception with Hue lights and Schlage locks. It is spotty at best and seldom works when needed.

Jan 10, 2018 2:34 PM in response to MTGMan2

My automated light never works for more than one day. Apple Home *****.

Zipher79

Level 1

4 points

Jan 11, 2018 5:22 PM in response to bigdogfur

Can you confirm no issue since the router upgrade?

Jan 31, 2018 12:00 PM in response to _Stephen_L

Do you have any shared users? Are they able to access remotely? I have no trouble while remote, but my shared user is unable to trigger lights remotely.

pho60x

Level 1

4 points

Jun 20, 2018 10:52 AM in response to tommy0349

So since my last posting on Apr 22, 2018, I just resolved my issue last weekend.

After going through every setting, and updating and factory restoring my iPhone and AppleTV, I finally have a working HomeKit that works away from home.I believe there's an issue or bug with my old iCloud drive account that hasn't been update and the fact that I have several Apple computers that aren't running the same MacOS.

1. Follow Apple's instructions - Automate and remotely access your HomeKit accessories - Apple Support

and make sure Homekit works while at home.

2. Check to make sure Location Services are enabled on your iPhone.

Settings -> Privacy -> Homekit -> Enable all devices

Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services -> Homekit - While using

Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services -> Homekit - ANY Device listed should be ON - While using

Settings -> Privacy -> Location Services -> Homekit - System Services -> HomeKit - ON

3. Check to make sure Home Hubs is listed and "Connected"

MrKastro

Level 1

14 points

Mar 12, 2019 6:16 AM in response to damiangfinch

-Add my setup to this thread!!!

Said all frustrated HomeKit users.

Here I am experiencing all symptoms described.

Mar 17, 2019 11:05 AM in response to Leo95se

Looking into the the Wink system to replace this HomeKit garbage. And best of all, it works with Nest which is still the best smart thermostat of the 4 I’ve used.

anosic

Level 1

4 points

Nov 4, 2017 8:18 PM in response to tommy0349

So my issues started when the iOS 11 came out! What I ended up doing was update my phone (iPhone 7+) and my ATV4. Then I went to my iPhone and opened HomeKit and hit the location arrow in the left hand corner and scrolled down and removed home. Then I had to re-install my devices which were the lutron bridge, chamberlain garage door and my Augusta lock. My ATV4 was made my hub and now everything works perfectly weather I am home on my WiFi or away I can control my devices!

I hope this helps and good luck!

MTGMan2

Level 1

8 points

Dec 1, 2017 8:21 AM in response to motiv8_me

I have the same issue. I have done all the steps to fix it. I've have had mixed results with some devices working remotely and others not, so my Homekit is working remotely but not will all the devices, which is puzzling, because they do work when I am on my home network, most of the time. My (ecobee4) sometimes will show responding in Homekit, until I access the ecobee app, and then sometimes it starts working. I've read one other thread about having to wipe the Apple TV and setup as new. I think I'm going to try doing that this weekend. The kick is that it was working perfectly a while ago, then just stopped. I'm assuming some updates broke it. FYI I have 7 Hue lights, MyQ Garage door bridge, Leviton light switch and the ecobee4. The Leviton light switch has been a bear to get working. I think I'm going to scrap that unit, since it only works with siri. All my other devices I can use my Google Home, and Alexa to control as well as SIri, but the Leviton light switch only works with Siri, and it isn't even doing that any more for more that a few hours. Then homekit won't even control it, or the Leviton app

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HomeKit remote access not always working