Re: How to integrate non-native devices like Ring Doorbell and cameras with Apple Home? I am new to Apple Home and would like to add new devices to Apple Home, like the Ring Doorbell, cameras, and a few other items that are not native to Apple Home. Is there a cheap program that can help me with this problem? I have about 8 to 10 devises to add. I am looking at Home Bridge, Hoobs, and Home Assistant. Will any of these work? What is the
best, or can you recommend a better one that is cheap? I have very little experience with all this, and need something easy to use.
Am no expert in this area, yet your post to the community deserves some respoinse, if only to get the discussion underway, and provide more opportunity for those with more expertise than either of us to join in.
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Re: Is there a cheap program that can help me with this problem?
Sorry I don't know of one.
Every "Home" set-up and requirements are likely unique to the owners . .. none precisely the same.
I guess by using items that are not native to Apple Home, you may need the help of their manufacturer or other users of the same accessories,
We don't know for sure how you want to control your Home ... I understand that some set up a Home Hub:
Eg: See how to: Set up your HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV as a home hub - Apple Support
or
If Hoobs is a hub ... you may find info. on setting it up on YouTube ?
Manufacturers sometimes do it that way, if the accessories aren't on Apple's list.
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Re: I am looking at Home Bridge, Hoobs, and Home Assistant. Will any of these work?
Sorry I don't know for sure.
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Re: What is the best, or can you recommend a better one that is cheap?
The article below lists all the accessories that are sure to be compatible with the Home app.
Eg: The way it is set-up, you can easily click on "Doorbell" or "Cameras" "Bridges" to view each list
You might want to check for items similar to your "8 to 10 devices" you want to add.
You can view info. on the various accessories that can be used. See: Home app - Accessories - Apple
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Re: Not sure if there is a dedicated community for all these types of questions?
You can look into this one: Home - Apple Community
There's a website overview of the Home app online: Home app - Apple
NB: To use the Home app, seems it must be turned on in iCloud
You can Add a smart home accessory to the Home app - Apple Support
Eg: says: "Add HomeKit and Matter accessories to the Home app,
then organize them by room or zone to easily control different areas of your home."
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You might use iPhone and / or Mac for control:
You can see how to: Control accessories with Home on iPhone - Apple Support
Use the Home app and Control Center to control accessories in your home
or
For Mac: see the Home User Guide for Mac - Apple Support
The "Table of Contents" link on the welcome page opens to various topics that lead to detailed "how to" articles:
Eg: You can: Protect accessories with a router in Home - Apple Support
says: You can make your smart home more secure by allowing a compatible router to control which services your HomeKitaccessories can communicate with in your home Wi-Fi network and on the internet.
More info: Use routers secured with HomeKit - Apple Support
Eg: Add more protection to your smart home accessories by controlling which services and devices they communicate with on your home Wi-Fi network and over the internet.
Apologies if this isn't as simple as you had hoped. The "Home" smart system is still new to many of us, too.
Sometimes we may have to delve into the more complex in order to come up with the simplest solutions.
We are all Apple users in the community, doing what we can to help each other with the issues that arise.
All the best :-)
