What a Home Hub Does and Why You Need One
A Home Hub is an Apple TV that acts as the central control point for your HomeKit devices — things like smart locks, lights, thermostats, and cameras. When you set one up, your iPhone, iPad, and other Apple devices can control your home from anywhere, not just when you're on the same Wi-Fi network. The Home Hub also lets you automate routines (like turning on lights at sunset) and receive notifications when something happens, like motion detected by a camera.
Without a Home Hub, HomeKit devices only respond when you're home and connected to your Wi-Fi. With one, they work remotely and reliably. You can have only one Home Hub per home, though you can replace it later if you upgrade your Apple TV.
Key Takeaways
- Your Apple TV must run tvOS 10.2 or later, and you need an Apple ID signed into it with two-factor authentication turned on.
- The Home Hub role is assigned in the Home app on your iPhone or iPad, not on the Apple TV itself.
- Your Apple TV must stay plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi at all times for HomeKit to work remotely.
- If you already have a Home Hub, you can change which device holds that role by opening the Home app and selecting a different device.
Check Your Apple TV Model and Software Version
Not every Apple TV can be a Home Hub. You need an Apple TV HD (4th generation or later) or an Apple TV 4K (any generation). If you have an older Apple TV (2nd or 3rd generation), it cannot serve as a Home Hub.
To check your model and software version, go to Settings on your Apple TV, then select About. Look for the model name and the tvOS version number. Your tvOS must be version 10.2 or later. If your software is older, go to Settings > System > Software Updates and install any available update. Your Apple TV will restart during the update, which is normal.
Sign In With an Apple ID and Enable Two-Factor Authentication
Your Apple TV must be signed in with an Apple ID that has two-factor authentication enabled. This is a security requirement for HomeKit. If you do not already have two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID, you will need to set it up before the Home Hub assignment will work.
To enable two-factor authentication, go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security on your iPhone or iPad (or visit appleid.apple.com on a computer). Follow the prompts to turn it on. Once it is active, your Apple TV will be able to serve as a Home Hub.
Assign the Home Hub Role in the Home App
Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad. Tap the house icon in the top left corner, then tap Home Settings. Scroll down and look for the Invite section — below that, you will see Hubs & Bridges.
Tap Hubs & Bridges. You will see a list of devices that can act as a Home Hub. Find your Apple TV in the list and tap it. A menu will appear with the option to Use as Home Hub. Tap that option. The Home app will confirm the assignment, and your Apple TV is now your Home Hub.
The Home app will show a green checkmark next to your Apple TV's name once it is active. This can take a few minutes to appear. If you do not see the checkmark after 10 minutes, restart your Apple TV and check again.
Keep Your Apple TV Plugged In and Connected to Wi-Fi
Your Home Hub must stay powered on and connected to Wi-Fi at all times. If it loses power or disconnects from the network, HomeKit remote access and automations will stop working until it reconnects. Plug your Apple TV into a power outlet you do not turn off, and make sure it is on the same Wi-Fi network as your other HomeKit devices.
If your Home Hub goes offline, the Home app will show a warning at the top of the Home Settings screen. Check that your Apple TV is powered on and that your Wi-Fi is working. If your Wi-Fi router restarted, your Apple TV may take a few minutes to reconnect.
Troubleshooting a Home Hub That Won't set up
If the Home app does not let you assign your Apple TV as a Home Hub, check these things in order. First, confirm that your Apple TV is running tvOS 10.2 or later by going to Settings > About. If it is older, update it through Settings > System > Software Updates.
Second, make sure the Apple ID signed into your Apple TV has two-factor authentication enabled. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Password & Security on your iPhone or iPad and turn it on if it is not already active. Third, sign out of the Apple TV completely and sign back in with the same Apple ID. Go to Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out, then sign back in.
If you still cannot assign it, restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds, then plugging it back in. Once it boots up, try the assignment again in the Home app. If the problem persists, restart your iPhone or iPad and try once more.
Replacing Your Home Hub With a Different Device
If you upgrade your Apple TV or want to move the Home Hub role to a different device, you can change it at any time. Open the Home app, tap the house icon, then Home Settings > Hubs & Bridges. Tap your current Home Hub and select Remove as Home Hub. Then tap the device you want to use instead and select Use as Home Hub.
During the switch, HomeKit remote access may be unavailable for a few minutes. Your automations will pause and then resume once the new Home Hub is active. The Home app will show a green checkmark next to the new Home Hub's name when it is ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have more than one Home Hub?
No. HomeKit allows only one Home Hub per home. If you have multiple Apple TVs, only one can hold the Home Hub role. The others can still be used for AirPlay and other functions, but they will not serve as the central HomeKit hub.
What happens if my Home Hub loses power?
Remote access and automations will stop working until it comes back online. The Home app will show a warning. Plug it back in or restart your Wi-Fi, and it should reconnect within a few minutes. HomeKit will resume normal operation once the connection is restored.
Do I need a Home Hub to use HomeKit?
No, but without one you can only control HomeKit devices when you are home and connected to the same Wi-Fi network. A Home Hub lets you control them from anywhere and enables automations and notifications. Most HomeKit users set one up for this reason.
Can I use an older Apple TV as a Home Hub?
No. Apple TV 2nd and 3rd generation models cannot be Home Hubs. You need an Apple TV HD (4th generation or later) or an Apple TV 4K. If you have an older model, you would need to upgrade to use HomeKit remotely.
Why does the Home app say my Apple TV is offline?
Your Apple TV has lost its Wi-Fi connection or lost power. Check that it is plugged in and that your Wi-Fi is working. Restart your Apple TV by unplugging it for 30 seconds. If your Wi-Fi router recently restarted, wait a few minutes for your Apple TV to reconnect automatically.