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User profile for user: Adwiz
Adwiz Author
User level: Level 1
64 points

How to use Home app without AppleTV as the hub

I had problems with my Home app showing most of my devices as "Not Responding" after updating to iOS18. It was driving me crazy. I learned that AppleTV acts as the hub for the Home app, and it was connected via Ethernet to my 3Gbps fiber network to get maximum speed out of it. I unplugged it and used WiFi and suddenly all the devices show normally and can respond. So my question is this: is there a way to use something else as my hub for the Home app rather than the AppleTV? I do have several AppleTVs in the house. My mesh router is connected directly to the 3Gb fiber box, and distributes the WiFi network and various ethernet hardwired devices via a 5Gb switch.

Apple TV 4K (3rd generation)

Posted on Nov 24, 2024 9:03 PM

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5 replies
User profile for user: IdrisSeabright
IdrisSeabright
User level: Level 10
169,883 points

Nov 25, 2024 12:15 PM in response to Adwiz

Adwiz wrote:

Thank you. Unfortunately that article just describes how to set up a HomePod. I have two HomePods and they are already set up. But it seems that the AppleTV (the one that was previously connected via Ethernet) is forcing itself as the hub for the Home app. As a result, the only way I can control my devices is by leaving that AppleTV connected to WiFi rather than Ethernet, with the 10x slowdown in Internet speed that results.

You didn't mention HomePods in your original post so I apologize for the confusion.


See if anything here helps:


Off-Premises Apple TV HD "Hijacks" Home A… - Apple Community


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User profile for user: Adwiz
Adwiz Author
User level: Level 1
64 points

Nov 25, 2024 12:08 PM in response to IdrisSeabright

Thank you. Unfortunately that article just describes how to set up a HomePod. I have two HomePods and they are already set up. But it seems that the AppleTV (the one that was previously connected via Ethernet) is forcing itself as the hub for the Home app. As a result, the only way I can control my devices is by leaving that AppleTV connected to WiFi rather than Ethernet, with the 10x slowdown in Internet speed that results.

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How to use Home app without AppleTV as the hub

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