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

homersdonut

Level 1

4 points

Posted on Oct 4, 2018 4:14 PM

So after almost a year of banging my head against the wall and countless restores, removing and re-adding all my accessories. I decided to call again and be adamant it was an iCloud issue. Passed me up 3 tiers of support in the first 20 minutes of the call. Spent almost 2 hours on the phone with Mason. Long story short, he was awesome and actually put effort into figuring it out. Low and behold, it was a “block” on my AppleID. He literally “unchecked” the block at his end and almost instantly I was able to send invites, and after about 10 minutes, AppleTV was recognized as the hub again and I could control everything remotely. So if anyone has also been banging their head against the wall for almost a year, call in and tell them to check that. Kudos to Mason and his excellent customer service for actually making the effort to look into it and ask his peers. Last time it was an endless loop of being passed off by support for 3 weeks until I got frustrated and gave up. Persistence pays off I guess. I knew it wasn’t at my end. Hope this helps anyone else having the same problem! Good luck!

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114 replies

Mar 11, 2018 10:34 PM in response to homersdonut

I’m losing faith in Apple every day. They never use to treat their customers like this.

Apr 4, 2018 4:34 PM in response to ottoharsh

I just hope they fix this issue because it ***** when you’ve invested so much. I’ll keep you posted if I get a solution.

Apr 4, 2018 4:53 PM in response to ottoharsh

That’s what I have been doing for years. Has not affected my situation, just FYI, but give it a try.

Apr 4, 2018 10:04 PM in response to Googull-2

Interesting. Although, I haven’t had anything like that happen to me. I even tried just setting up HomeKit with the HomePod alone, so I still think it’s an Apple ID or iCloud thing.

Apr 11, 2018 10:34 AM in response to tommy0349

Did you ever find a solution for this? Or did Apple help you find one? I’m still working with Apple to find a solution.

Apr 11, 2018 10:52 AM in response to krazygreekguy

No luck with Apple support. They have no idea what to do. They were telling me I need to be in WiFi for remote access to work???

Apr 11, 2018 4:59 PM in response to ottoharsh

That’s what my setup has always been. I haven’t tried connecting my Apple TV 4K via WiFi though. Maybe I’ll try that later just to try it

Apr 25, 2018 10:39 PM in response to krazygreekguy

I feel the same way. I have begun looking for a new system that will use my existing equipment and have security. Apple has totally let us down.

May 18, 2018 7:45 AM in response to homersdonut

I here ya. I was in the same boat. I try to get HomeKit devices that also work with google or Alexa just in case like my situation where HomeKit wasn’t working for a long time

Oct 24, 2018 8:33 AM in response to MrEmanLOL

Mine accessories constantly say updating now when I’m away from my house. This is just like no response because I can’t do anything with them when it’s stuck on updating.

Dec 18, 2018 1:27 PM in response to MTGMan2

Exactly the same problem here. Hub doesn’t connect and is not active.

Result. Lights not turning on or of if not on the wifi.

Working perfectly with hue app thought.

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.

Jan 17, 2018 6:57 AM in response to _Stephen_L

Folks, I had the same issue and put the DNS settings of the Apple TV to the routers address so not a public (Open)DNS server. This resolved the (slowness) issue for me (having an Apple TV 4 with the latest OS).

KrishnaB

Level 1

4 points

Dec 27, 2017 12:21 PM in response to TJHockey

This is where I am now.. Inhave 4 Koogeek smart plugs, they can only be operated by HomeKit app iHome.. There is only one Wi-Fi router and it’s on single band.. I have restarted Apple TV, restarted my Wi-Fi and restarted the plugs.. When I am connected to the same Wi-Fi, I can control my thermostat but not my plugs.. So, I now have to use those plug as manual plugs.. it’s really frustrating.. I was hoping my AppleTV will be one solution to all the problems! I guess not!

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HomeKit remote access not always working