What a Home Hub Does and Why You Need One
A Home Hub is an Apple device that stays connected to your Wi-Fi and acts as a central control point for your smart home. When you set up Apple TV as your Home Hub, it lets you control HomeKit devices—like smart locks, lights, and thermostats—from anywhere, not just when you're home. It also enables automations to run on a schedule and lets multiple family members control your home at the same time.
Without a Home Hub, HomeKit devices only respond when you're on the same Wi-Fi network. With one in place, you can unlock your door from across town, turn on lights before you arrive home, or check if you left the garage open. Apple TV works particularly well as a Home Hub because most people leave it plugged in all the time.
Key Takeaways
- Your Apple TV must run tvOS 10.2 or later and stay plugged in and signed into the same iCloud account as your iPhone or iPad.
- You set up the Home Hub through the Home app on your iPhone or iPad, not through Apple TV's settings menu.
- Only one Home Hub is required, but having a second one in a distant part of your home improves reliability.
- If your Home Hub goes offline, HomeKit devices stop responding to remote commands until it comes back online.
Check Your Apple TV Model and Software Version
Not every Apple TV can be a Home Hub. You need a tvOS 10.2 or later—which means a 4th-generation Apple TV (released 2015) or newer. If you have a 3rd-generation model or earlier, you cannot use it as a Home Hub.
To check your tvOS version, go to Settings on your Apple TV, then select System and About. Look for the software version number. If it is older than 10.2, go to Settings > System > Software Updates and install the latest version. Your Apple TV must be connected to power and Wi-Fi during the update.
Sign Into iCloud on Your Apple TV
Your Apple TV must be signed into the same iCloud account you use on your iPhone or iPad. Go to Settings on your Apple TV, select Users and Accounts, then iCloud. Sign in with your Apple ID and password. If you have two-factor authentication enabled on your account—which Apple recommends—you will see a prompt to verify your identity on a trusted device.
After signing in, make sure iCloud Keychain is turned on. This setting is usually on by default, but you can confirm it by going back to Settings > Users and Accounts > iCloud and checking that the toggle is enabled. Leave your Apple TV plugged in; it needs to stay powered on for the Home Hub to work.
Open the Home App and Designate Your Apple TV
On your iPhone or iPad, open the Home app. Tap the house icon in the top left corner, then tap Home Settings. Scroll down to the Invite section and look for your Apple TV listed under Devices. If you do not see it, make sure your Apple TV is on the same Wi-Fi network and signed into iCloud.
Tap your Apple TV in the list, then tap Use as Home Hub. The app will confirm that your Apple TV is now your Home Hub. You should see a green checkmark next to it and a status that says "Connected." This process takes just a few seconds once your Apple TV is ready.
Test Remote Access to Confirm It Works
After you set up your Home Hub, test that remote access is working. Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad, leave your home Wi-Fi network (switch to cellular data), and try to control a HomeKit device—turn a light on or off, or check a camera. If the command goes through, your Home Hub is working.
If remote control does not work, go back to Home Settings and check that your Apple TV still shows as connected. If it shows as offline, make sure it is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi. Sometimes restarting your Apple TV (unplug it for 10 seconds, then plug it back in) fixes connection issues. Wait a few minutes after restarting before testing again.
Add a Second Home Hub for Better Coverage
If you have a large home or thick walls, a single Home Hub may not reach all your devices reliably. You can set up a second Home Hub using the same steps: sign a second Apple TV into the same iCloud account, then go to Home Settings and tap Use as Home Hub on the second device. The Home app will automatically use both Hubs to reach your devices.
A second Home Hub also provides backup. If one goes offline, the other keeps your remote access working. You do not need more than two unless your home is very large or you have devices in a separate building.
Troubleshoot Common Setup Problems
If your Apple TV does not appear in the Home app, restart both your Apple TV and your iPhone or iPad. Make sure both devices are on the same Wi-Fi network and that your Apple TV is signed into iCloud. If the problem persists, sign out of iCloud on your Apple TV, wait 30 seconds, and sign back in.
If your Home Hub shows as offline, check that your Apple TV is plugged in and connected to Wi-Fi. HomeKit devices cannot receive remote commands when the Hub is offline, so they will not respond to commands from outside your home. Restarting your Apple TV usually restores the connection within a few minutes. If it stays offline, restart your Wi-Fi router as well.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use an iPad or HomePod as a Home Hub instead?
Yes. iPad (5th generation or later) and HomePod (all models) can also be Home Hubs. The setup process is the same: sign into iCloud, open the Home app, and designate the device as your Home Hub. Many people use HomePod mini because it is small and inexpensive.
What happens to my HomeKit devices if my Home Hub goes offline?
HomeKit devices stop responding to remote commands when your Home Hub is offline. You can still control them if you are home on the same Wi-Fi network, but you cannot control them from outside your home. Local automations that do not require remote access may still run.
Do I need to set up HomeKit on my Apple TV before making it a Home Hub?
No. You do not set up HomeKit on your Apple TV itself. You only sign into iCloud, then use the Home app on your iPhone or iPad to designate it as a Home Hub. The Home app handles all HomeKit setup and device management.
Can multiple people in my household control HomeKit devices through the Home Hub?
Yes. In the Home app, go to Home Settings and invite other family members by tapping Invite. They can then control HomeKit devices and automations using their own iCloud accounts. Everyone must be invited to the same Home in the Home app.
How do I remove my Apple TV as a Home Hub?
Open the Home app, go to Home Settings, find your Apple TV under Devices, and tap it. Select Remove as Home Hub. If you have a second Home Hub, the system will automatically switch to it. If you remove your only Home Hub, remote access stops working until you set up a new one.