How to Use the Apple Home App to Control Smart Devices

The Apple Home app is built into every iPhone and iPad. It's your central control panel for smart home devices — things like smart light bulbs, smart locks, video doorbells, thermostats, and security cameras that support Apple HomeKit.

HomeKit is Apple's smart home standard. Any device with the "Works with Apple Home" or HomeKit logo on the box will connect to the Home app. Once you add a device, you can control it from your iPhone even when you're away from home (as long as you have a Home Hub — which is an Apple TV or HomePod that stays connected to your Wi-Fi).

Inside the Home app, devices are organized into rooms. You can assign a lamp to "Living Room" and a camera to "Front Door" so everything is easy to find. You can also create Scenes — a Scene called "Good Morning" might turn on the kitchen lights, unlock the door, and set the thermostat to 72 degrees, all with a single tap.

Siri works hand-in-hand with the Home app. Instead of opening the app at all, you can say "Hey Siri, turn off the living room lights" or "Hey Siri, what's the temperature inside?" and your smart home responds instantly.

The Home app is free, privacy-focused, and requires no paid subscription. However, the smart devices themselves must be purchased separately and must be HomeKit-compatible.