Working with a friend on home automation and will eventually be introducing Hubitat. So he has a few Meross outlets he uses with Apple HomeKit. Does HomeKit control these directly or does HomeKit use the cloud to connect to them?
Meross is a cloud interface...
I'm not sure that is an appropriate question for these forums you might want to check with Apple's community and post there.
Having said that - Looks like you can control the devices locally, there seems to be some MQTT projects on Github that do this. HomeKit can function without an internet connection apparently and devices conforming to the Homekit Spec must be able to function as well. Also it looks like any cloud device can still communicate back to the manufacturer to allow their app to control it (and collect data!).
Got the info from this article:
https://wltd.org/posts/does-homekit-actually-work-without-an-internet-connection
I run an Apple Homekit "hub" from a HomePod mini and use Homebridge and a community HE to homebridge app in order to expose HE devices to HK - works great and easy to set up. Unfortunately you can't expose HK devices back to HE... only goes one-way.
Ahh.... Too bad on the one way....Though I guess it will be mainly home kit for his wife and HE for him control wise. Thanx for the info....
It's really not an issue if you set up all your devices in HE. Also the "rules" controlling/coordinating the devices can be much more sophisticated.
HE<->HB<->HK is a great solution for people wanting more than the Apple ecosystem can offer but still like the Apple-centric look of HomeKit.
Keep in mind there are ways around the "one-way" issue - you can have HK control an exposed HE "virtual" switch or bulb that can then be used to do things in HE itself.
Also should mention going this route allows you to have a much larger selection of home automation devices available for use in your setup.
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Lots of good information here. He’s dipping his toes in and in loaning him my c5 so I have a better idea now what he needs to do... man I love this community (and thanx for not flaming me on HomeKit usage! Lol)
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Have him set up an account here and post any questions he might have - especially setting up homebridge etc. Lots of experienced people willing to help!!
I Tasmotized some Meross smart plugs and used Markus's Driver with no problems
Yeah but if there is a possibility of not using HE then changing firmware on those might not be the best thing at least initially.
edit: but thats a very good thing to know!!!
