Native HomeKit?

[lawsonad]

@bertabcd1234

An Apple TV was the only other "hub" option when I started down this path...I think. Or maybe the original "full" Home Pod price just made me withdraw it from serious consideration, haha.)

The Apple TV, HomePod Mini, and original full size HomePod all act as dedicated always on HomeKit hubs. You will be perfectly happy with the HomePod Mini. I have seven of them in my house (along with four Apple TV 4K) and they all act as hubs with zero issues. Apple automatically maintains one hub as 'connected' while the others are in 'standby'. You will see which one is connected fluctuate from day to day which is perfectly normal.

[Ken_Fraleigh]

@bertabcd1234

Is this one of the problems you've noticed that the Apple TV solved?

Yes. I had forgotten how annoying that was. It happened with Homebridge-Hubconnect and Homebridge-MakerAPI as well. I've had the Apple TV as the Home Hub since Christmas and that hasn't happened since. It used to go unresponsive quite a bit when away and that was with the iPad plugged in. I also wanted to avoid any possible WI-FI latency issues (4 kids and 50 devices attached), so I hooked it up to a 5 port switch on the shelf next to the TV. Another plus is that my wife really likes the Apple TV and hasn't wanted to switch back to the Fire TV.
Also, I have AT&T fiber and have the AT&T gateway sending my Velop AX it's WAN IP and have it setup as a cascaded router. I know the two router setup can cause issues, but I've bypassed it as much as is possible.

[marktheknife]

@bertabcd1234

Just wondering if people find these to work better.

Yes, I had similar issues with an iPad as home hub while on battery. Leaving it plugged in all the time helped, but wasn’t super practical since we do use the iPad for other things.

I’ve since tried both an Apple TV and a home pod mini, and found both to work very well.

[erktrek]

+1 on the HomePod Mini... also works nicely as another doorbell chime with HB ring integration..

[amine.houari1]

Guys, not sure I am in the right topic, but:

I have installed HomeBridge, linked it to Hubitat by installing tonesto7' Homebridge v2 plugin, got my devices to show up in homekit on my iphone, lights turn on and off and dim from there, no problem. But then it has a hard time with shades, I have a Zemismart Zigbee 3.0 motor, and another shade controlled by an aeotec nano shutter module. Both work very well in HE, but from homebridge or homekit, the do not close or open completely, or close by ignoring the upper limit (you can imagine the damage this could have done). Anyone had similar issues, and anyone has had more luck with other roller shade devices from HE to Homekit ?
Thanks,
Amine.

[ogiewon]

@amine.houari1

not sure I am in the right topic

Probably best to post in @tonesto7 's Homebridge Plugin topic, to make sure other users, as well as the developer, see you question.

[RELEASE] Homebridge Hubitat v2.0

[RELEASE] Homebridge Hubitat v2.0 I'm happy to release the new version of my homebridge-hubitat-tonesto7 Upgrade Notice: Due to the changes in the plugin API (switching from legacy to dynamic) you can not directly update the plugin, you will need to add as a new accessory and setup your devices/automations/scenes again. On a positive note, you can use the same Hubitat app instance as long as you update it to the latest code. Changes Plugin [NEW] Completely rewrote the entire plugin from…

[fgrizzly]

I'll get rocks thrown at me for this, but here goes. How does one get something from Maker API if it is a thing, and how does one install it?

I, too. am interested in moving to HomePod Minis for voice control.

[marktheknife]

See the link to the thread in the post above yours.

That integration doesn’t actually use Maker API, it uses a Hubitat app written by a community dev. But it’s a great integration with Homebridge and the one that I use.

The alternative for integrating Hubitat with Homebridge is indeed based on using Maker API. More details in this thread:

New Homebridge Plug-in via MakerAPI

This new plugin does not rely on the "Homebridge App" in Hubitat and utilizes the MakerAPI and it's event stream to communicate with Hubitat. A few caveats upfront: You will have to redo all of your room assignments in the Home App on your phone Installation: 1. Hubitat MakerAPI App Configuration Under the Hubitat Web Interface, Click on Apps in the left side menu. Click on the button +Add Built-In App Select Maker API from the list of apps Enable Allow Access via Local IP Address …

Both integrations depend on another always-on PC to run Homebridge.

[ritchierich]

@marktheknife

Both integrations depend on another always-on PC to run Homebridge.

Further defining "always-on PC", Homebridge can run on a NAS or Raspberry Pi too. I have it running in a Docker Container on my NAS for example.

[marktheknife]

Agreed, PC probably isn't the most accurate term I could've used.

Basically anything that can run Linux, Windows or MacOS that's running 24/7.

Homebridge Github repo is a good source of info re: supported configurations.

[fgrizzly]

Just today, I did a lot of video watching at YouTube, and have decided to plunge right in using a Raspberry Pi 4 I have sitting here doing nothing, so, I will have that always-on PC available.

If I don't end up causing explosions and fires, I likely will be back with more questions. My main desire is using HK for dashboards and to get rid of the Alexa issue with "her" responding when I don't want, among other things.

Fingers crossed.

[marktheknife]

Lots of people using homebridge successfully here, so ask away when you need any help.

[rakeshg]

@fgrizzly

My main desire is using HK for dashboards and to get rid of the Alexa issue with "her" responding when I don't want, among other things.

I got rid of Alexa for the same reason. I've been using Homebridge from the beginning and I started with the pre-built image. If you want to stay away from tinkering with the Pi, I would highly recommend it.

Getting Started

[fgrizzly]

First of, Rakeshg, this was very helpful, and I have a RPi 4 running Homebridge fine and dandy. I am using Ethernet and plugged it into one of my switches. I got the screen with the scan code, ran an update it wanted, and then followed the instructions for adding HomeBridge to my HomeKit. I scanned it with my iPhone, it latched onto the code with no issues, identified it as a bridge, and I went from there.

[Screech of tires here.] "Accessory Not Found. [further text here about making sure it is connected with an Ethernet cabled to my router.] So, I moved the Ethernet cable over to my router (an Asus standard router, not mesh), and... same thing.

Any ideas? It comes up fine and dandy in my browser (Safari) using 192.168.50.12, the fixed address to which it is assigned. It is reaching out to the internet just fine as I ran an update for the UI.

Now, one more thing: WHICH Habitat plugins do I want to add?

Thanks!

[csteele]

New Homebridge Plug-in via MakerAPI

This new plugin does not rely on the "Homebridge App" in Hubitat and utilizes the MakerAPI and it's event stream to communicate with Hubitat. A few caveats upfront: You will have to redo all of your room assignments in the Home App on your phone Installation: 1. Hubitat MakerAPI App Configuration Under the Hubitat Web Interface, Click on Apps in the left side menu. Click on the button +Add Built-In App Select Maker API from the list of apps Enable Allow Access via Local IP Address …

This one has been easy for me to add/implement. He's even included

https://dantapps.github.io/

To build an initial config. Quite cool.

I suspect your "not found" message might be related to having nothing selected.. which is done within the Hub tool.

[fgrizzly]

I just got it to connect by manually typing in the original code provided. Now, to see if I can figure out what you just sent me...!

[csteele]

It's a recipe.. start with creating a MakerAPI instance for HomeBridge. THEN add the Homebridge-hubitat-makerapi Plug-In to HomeBridge. (Nothing gets added to Home.)

THEN, you follow the recipe to connect the plugin to the hub with the MakerAPI details. That's when you want to use Dan's config builder. It will take what you supply and build a perfect starting config for HomeBridge.

On the Hub, open the MakerAPI instance for Homebridge and select the devices to mirror on to Apple's HomeKit. Maker/HomeBridge will converse at least every 5 mins for any new change to what's mirrored and those devices will appear in Home's Favorites page.

[fgrizzly]

@New Homebridge Plug-in via MakerAPI

Click on the button +Add Built-In App Select Maker API from the list of apps Enable Allow Access via Local IP Address T…

You left me with a cliff-hanger! What comes after that "Local IP address T..." I have that Maker API thing open and waiting now. Thanks in advance for the hand holding; I appreciate it.

[ogiewon]

Just click on the BLUE link and you'll see the full set of instructions.

New Homebridge Plug-in via MakerAPI

This new plugin does not rely on the "Homebridge App" in Hubitat and utilizes the MakerAPI and it's event stream to communicate with Hubitat. A few caveats upfront: You will have to redo all of your room assignments in the Home App on your phone Installation: 1. Hubitat MakerAPI App Configuration Under the Hubitat Web Interface, Click on Apps in the left side menu. Click on the button +Add Built-In App Select Maker API from the list of apps Enable Allow Access via Local IP Address …

[fgrizzly]

ogiewon: I am good up to #2, Homebridge plugin installation. WHERE do I run these commands? I am so sorry to be so obtuse, but, this is one instance where my propellor beanie and bag of Doritos is letting me down.

Also, ** * Enable Include Location Events to support HSM and chaning of modes**, didn't find this, but found a switch labeled POST Location Events. I turned it on. No smoke or flames yet, so, did I do the right thing? And, if it would be easier to carry this over to private email I can send you an address, or provide a cell number.