Add Apple TV to Home App in Three Steps

To add an Apple TV to your Home app, you need to sign in with the same Apple ID on both devices, then open Home on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac and tap the plus icon to add a new accessory. Apple TV acts as a home hub — a central device that lets you control HomeKit accessories remotely and automate them even when you're away from home. Without a home hub, you can only control HomeKit devices when you're physically present on the same Wi-Fi network.

The process takes about five minutes and requires your Apple TV to be on the same Wi-Fi network as your other devices. If you're setting up HomeKit for the first time, adding Apple TV as your hub should be one of your first steps.

Key Takeaways

  • Apple TV becomes a home hub automatically when you sign in with your Apple ID and add it through the Home app — no separate setup is needed.
  • Your Apple TV must be on the same Wi-Fi network as your iPhone or iPad, and you must be signed in with the same Apple ID on all devices.
  • A home hub lets you control HomeKit accessories from anywhere and set up automations that run even when nobody is home.
  • If Home app doesn't recognize your Apple TV, restart the device and check that HomeKit is enabled in Settings.

What You Need Before You Start

Make sure your Apple TV is running tvOS 10.2 or later — you can check this in Settings > System > About on the Apple TV itself. Your iPhone or iPad needs to be running iOS 10.2 or later, or your Mac needs macOS 10.12 or later. Both devices must be on the same Wi-Fi network.

Sign in to your Apple TV with the same Apple ID you use on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. This is the critical step that most people miss. If you're using a different Apple ID on your Apple TV, HomeKit won't recognize it as a potential home hub. You can check which Apple ID is signed in by going to Settings > Users and Accounts on your Apple TV.

The Step-by-Step Process

Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac. Tap or click the Home icon at the bottom left (on iPhone and iPad) or at the top left (on Mac). Then tap or click the plus icon in the top right corner and select "Add Accessory or Scene."

Your iPhone or iPad will scan for nearby HomeKit devices. When you see your Apple TV in the list, tap it. If your Apple TV doesn't appear, make sure it's powered on and connected to Wi-Fi. You may need to wait 30 seconds for it to show up in the scan results.

When prompted, scan the HomeKit code on the back of your Apple TV using your device's camera, or enter the eight-digit code manually. The code is usually printed on a sticker on the device itself or in the original box. After you enter the code, choose which room the Apple TV is in (like "Living Room" or "Bedroom") and tap "Continue."

The Home app will confirm that your Apple TV has been added. You should see it listed under "Homes" in the Home app. Within a few minutes, it will automatically become your home hub — you'll see a green checkmark next to it in the Home Settings, under "Home Hubs and Bridges."

Checking That Your Home Hub Is Active

To verify that Apple TV is working as your home hub, open Home and tap the Home icon. Then tap the house icon at the top and scroll down to "Home Hubs and Bridges." You should see your Apple TV listed with a green checkmark and the status "Connected."

If you see a yellow or red icon instead, your Apple TV has lost connection to HomeKit. Restart your Apple TV by going to Settings > System > Restart. If the problem persists, sign out of your Apple ID on the Apple TV and sign back in, then wait a few minutes for HomeKit to reconnect.

What to Do If Your Apple TV Doesn't Appear

If the Home app doesn't show your Apple TV when you try to add it, first check that HomeKit is turned on. Go to Settings > AirPlay and HomeKit on your Apple TV and make sure HomeKit is enabled. Restart the Apple TV completely — unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in.

Make sure your Apple TV and your iPhone or iPad are on the same Wi-Fi network. If you're on a guest network or a separate 5 GHz band, HomeKit may not find the device. Switch to your main Wi-Fi network and try again. If you still have trouble, restart your Wi-Fi router as well.

If your Apple TV is already set up as a home hub but the Home app shows it as disconnected, check that it hasn't been signed out of your Apple ID. Go to Settings > Users and Accounts and confirm your Apple ID is still active. You may also need to remove the Apple TV from Home and add it again.

Why You Need a Home Hub

A home hub is the device that keeps your HomeKit automations running even when you leave home. Without one, automations only work when you're on your home Wi-Fi network. With a home hub, you can turn on lights from across the country, get notifications when a door opens, or have your thermostat adjust automatically at a set time — all without being home.

Apple TV is one of three devices that can act as a home hub. HomePod and HomePod mini can also serve this role. If you have multiple home hubs, HomeKit automatically uses the one with the strongest connection. Having a backup hub means your automations keep running even if one device loses power or goes offline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Apple TV as a home hub if I don't have HomeKit accessories yet?

Yes. You can add Apple TV to Home and set it up as a hub before you buy any HomeKit accessories. This way, when you do add smart lights, locks, or thermostats later, they'll work remotely right away.

What if I have multiple Apple TVs — do they all become home hubs?

All of your Apple TVs can be home hubs at the same time. HomeKit will use whichever one has the best connection. Having multiple hubs in different rooms improves reliability and range for controlling accessories far from your router.

Do I need to do anything special on the Apple TV itself after adding it to Home?

No. Once you add it through the Home app, Apple TV automatically becomes a hub. You don't need to open any app on the Apple TV or change any settings. Just leave it powered on and connected to Wi-Fi.

Can I remove Apple TV as a home hub without deleting it from Home?

You can't disable the hub role directly, but if you sign out of your Apple ID on the Apple TV, it will stop acting as a hub. To remove it from Home entirely, open Home Settings, tap "Home Hubs and Bridges," swipe left on the Apple TV, and tap Delete.

What happens to my automations if my home hub goes offline?

Automations stop running until the hub comes back online. If you have a second home hub (like a HomePod), HomeKit switches to that one automatically. If you only have one hub and it loses power, your automations won't run until it reconnects.