To add a device to Apple Home (formerly HomeKit), use the Home app on an iPhone or iPad: check the accessory’s compatibility and setup requirements, tap Add > Add Accessory, then scan its code or enter it manually. A home hub is useful for remote access and automations, but Apple’s current guidance allows many Matter accessories to be added without one on iOS 18 or later; Thread accessories have additional requirements.
Before you start: check compatibility and setup requirements
Confirm that the exact accessory model supports Apple Home, HomeKit, or Matter. A product category alone is not enough: requirements vary by model. Check its manual and manufacturer’s instructions for any bridge, manufacturer-app setup, firmware update, supported Wi-Fi band, or reset procedure.
- Power on the accessory and connect it as instructed before opening the Home app.
- Keep the setup code available. Apple says conventional Apple Home setup codes may be eight digits; Matter setup codes may be 11 or 21 digits. The code may be printed on the accessory, its packaging, or its documentation.
- Use an iPhone or iPad for setup. Apple says accessories cannot be added to the Home app on Mac.
- Update the iPhone or iPad, turn on Bluetooth, and keep the accessory nearby and connected to power.
Apple’s [iPhone Home setup guide] and [accessory troubleshooting guide] describe these requirements.
How to add a device to Apple Home
- Open the Home app. On your iPhone or iPad, tap Add, then Add Accessory.
- Scan or enter the setup code. Point the camera at the accessory’s QR code, or choose the manual entry option and type the code when prompted. Some supported TVs display a QR code for pairing.
- Follow the on-screen and manufacturer instructions. Depending on the accessory, you may need to select a network, complete setup in the manufacturer’s app, or update its firmware.
- Name it and assign a room. The name can be used with Siri. If the Home app offers suggested automations, you can add them during setup.
For a Matter accessory that is already paired with another Matter app, don’t assume it is ready to pair like a new device. In Home, use More Options when offered, then follow the manufacturer’s process to generate or select a pairing code. Apple explains this in its [Matter pairing guide].
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Do you need a HomePod or Apple TV to add Matter devices?
Not always. Apple’s current Matter pairing guidance says an iPhone running iOS 18 or later can add and control Matter accessories from Home without a home hub. Apple recommends setting up a hub for the best experience. A home hub supports control while you’re away, sharing control with others, and automations.
When a home hub helps
HomePod and HomePod mini become home hubs automatically when set up. Apple TV becomes a hub when it is added to a room in the Home app. Apple says only the home owner can add a HomePod or Apple TV as a hub. See Apple’s [home hub setup guide] for details.
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Thread accessories have a separate requirement
Matter over Thread is not the same as Matter over Wi-Fi. Apple says Thread-based accessories require a Thread-enabled hub, such as Apple TV 4K, HomePod (2nd generation), HomePod mini, or a compatible third-party Thread border router, subject to Apple’s stated qualifications. An iPhone with Thread support on iOS 18 can locally pair and manage Thread accessories; the accessory may need a manufacturer update. Check Apple’s current [Matter and Thread instructions] and the accessory maker’s requirements for your exact model.
Which Matter devices does Apple Home support?
Apple lists these Matter accessory categories: air conditioners, bridges, lights, locks, sockets, switches, thermostats, blinds and shades, and motion, ambient-light, contact, temperature, and humidity sensors. That list does not guarantee every product in a category will work with your setup. Confirm the exact model’s Apple Home or Matter support, required firmware, network, and any hub or bridge requirement in Apple’s [Matter accessory guide] and the manufacturer’s documentation.
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Why can’t you add an accessory to the Home app?
Work through the relevant checks below before resetting the device. A reset can erase its existing configuration, so follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use it only when appropriate.
There is no Add Accessory option
Ask the Home owner to check your resident permissions, including whether you are allowed to add and edit accessories.
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The accessory is already added to another home
It may need to be reset before it can be added to a different home. Use the reset procedure specified by its manufacturer; steps vary by model.
Home reports “Unable to add to home”
- Confirm that the accessory is powered on and connected as instructed.
- Move it nearer the router during setup.
- Restart the bridge or hub if the accessory uses one.
- If the issue remains, reset the accessory according to its manual and try again.
The Wi-Fi network may be incompatible
Connect your iPhone or iPad to a network that supports 2.4 GHz. Apple notes that some accessories do not support 5 GHz, so check the model’s network requirements.
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The accessory is unsupported or will not finish setup
Check the manufacturer’s app for a firmware update, and verify that the exact model supports Apple Home, HomeKit, or Matter. If it is a Matter accessory already paired with another app, use Home’s More Options route and the manufacturer’s pairing instructions rather than treating it as a new accessory. Apple’s [troubleshooting steps] cover permissions, Bluetooth, network, firmware, and reset checks.
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