Tips For Starting an Apple Smart Home From Scratch! (2023)

Рет қаралды 28,862

Күн бұрын

If you’re thinking about starting your own Apple Home smart home from scratch, you may be wondering where you should start.
I share with you my top tips for starting a HomeKit smart home from scratch on an existing or new home, best practices for a reliable smart home, and the first devices I would buy if I was starting a new smart home
Discover Casekoo’s CloudCush iPhone cases: casekoo.com/AdamsTechLife
10% off Coupon Code: AdamTechLife10
-- ⬇️ WATCH NEXT ⬇️ --
✅ Apple HomeKit Beginners Guide! (2023)
• Beginners Guide to App...
😳 HomeKit Products I Regret Buying… (What I Bought Instead)
• Apple Home Products I ...
-- 🔗 VIDEO LINKS 🔗 --
(Note: These are affiliate links, by using this link you are supporting the channel at no extra cost to you!)
🌟 Amazon Storefont 🌟 geni.us/amazonstorefrontshop
eero 6+ Router + Extender (2 pack):
geni.us/xSlPKPf
eero 6+ Router + Extender (3 pack):
geni.us/Rn5MoOB
Philips Hue Bridge + Color Bulbs: geni.us/ONIVa
Philips Hue Single Color Bulb: geni.us/ONIVa
Aqara Smart M2 Hub: geni.us/AqaraM2SmartHub
Eve Door & Window: geni.us/EveDoorSensor
Apple TV 4K (2022 Model) 64GB: geni.us/AppleTV2022
Apple TV 4K (2022 Model w/Ethernet) 128GB: geni.us/AppleTV2022ethernet
HomePod 2nd gen (2023): geni.us/homepodgen2
HomePod mini: geni.us/homepodminispeaker
Lutron Dimmer Switch + Bridge: geni.us/lutrondimmer
Aqara Smart Light Switch (No Neutral, Single Rocker): geni.us/singlenoneutral
Ecobee 3 Lite Thermostat: geni.us/Ecobee3Lite
Eufy Indoor Camera: geni.us/EufyIndoorCam2K
Eufy Pan/Tilt Camera: geni.us/EufyPTZ
EufyCam 2C Outdoor Cameras: geni.us/EufyCam2C
Eufy Doorbell Dual: geni.us/eufyDoorbellDual
Aqara Door & Window Sensor: geni.us/ContactSensor
Aqara Weatherproof Enclosure by PrintSpiredDesigns: geni.us/aqaraoutdoorenclosure
Aqara Wireless Mini Switch: geni.us/aqaraswitch
-- 📺 PLAYLISTS 📺 --
🔊 HomePod mini: geni.us/Z6O35
📺 Apple TV: geni.us/m2Zk3X
⚡️ Siri Shortcuts: geni.us/SiriShortcuts
🪄 Automation Ideas: geni.us/AutomationIdeas
✅ HomeKit Product Reviews: geni.us/HomeKitProductReviews
-- 💬 CONNECT WITH ME 💬 --
📸 Instagram: geni.us/adamstechlifeinstagram
🐦 Twitter: geni.us/adamstechlifetwitter
-- ⏰ CHAPTERS ⏰ --
0:00 - Intro
0:47 - Build a Strong Home Network
2:35 - Casekoo Sponsor
3:49 - Use Hub/Bridge When Possible
5:06 - Choose Your Apple Home Hub
6:49 - Smart Small and Grow Over Time
9:19 - What Devices Would I Buy First?
9:49 - Lights/Switches
10:41 - Thermostat
11:12 - Cameras
12:57 - Contact Sensor
13:23 - Bonus
13:58 - Recap
Icon credits (all from www.flaticon.com)
Router: Icon made by vectorsmarket15
Hub: Icon made by Freepik
Apple: Icon made by Ruslan Babkin
Steps: Icon made by Freepik
#HomeKit #SmartHome #AppleHomeKit

Пікірлер: 60

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

What tips do you have for somebody starting their own Apple smart home from scratch? Check out my "Apple HomeKit Beginners Guide! (2023)" ➡ kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qrx6npNq16eyo6M.html

@ShadowofSound3 11 ай бұрын

Finally a video that’s starts from scratch for us noobs. Thanks Adam!

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

So glad I could help! Thanks for watching! 😊

@ChrisOram 11 ай бұрын

We want a eufy tutorial for the doorbell in HomeKit!

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

You got it, thanks for commenting! 👍🏼

@sarabradley919 11 ай бұрын

Smart light is a must. Great video

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

Definitely, super handy. Thanks for watching! 😊

@scottsworld 6 ай бұрын

fantastic video and advice. thanks heaps

@AdamsTechLife 6 ай бұрын

So glad I could help you start your Apple smart home, Scott! Thanks for the comment and watching.

@lannyplans 9 ай бұрын

Thanks!

@AdamsTechLife 9 ай бұрын

Thanks so much for your super thanks! I truly appreciate it! So glad to hear you are enjoying the videos and happy to hear your starting your own Apple smart home. Thanks for your support!

@brycewilson7805 11 ай бұрын

I would add smart locks to the list. I recently got the new Aqara U100 lock and it's fantastic!

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

Great!! The Aqara U100 is a great smart lock!

@PsychoticShine 10 ай бұрын

An alternative to smart switches for renters where you can't really swap out a light switch. Is A Smart Button and smart bulb combination if you still want a physical way to turn lights on or off. Or an area of your a house that really doesn't have a light fixture but you use lamps. Our Living Room doesn't have a ceiling light Fixture but i have 2 lamps set up in each corner with a smart button to turn them off and on manually since there is no light switch for it.

@AdamsTechLife 10 ай бұрын

Great option as well!! Smart buttons are amazing

@donfrankie 10 ай бұрын

Mesh with wireless backbone is also an extender. Always go for a wired backbone where it is possible.

@AdamsTechLife 10 ай бұрын

Yep, this is what i said in the video :)

@thomastevis8655 10 ай бұрын

Awesome videos sorry I’m so late

@AdamsTechLife 10 ай бұрын

All good, thanks for your support!

@lannyplans 9 ай бұрын

I subscribed! Adam I am building a smart home system from scratch. Will Apple TV Hubs do everything that other Apples hubs will do, except the speaker function? The reason I ask is that I have TVs located throughout my living spaces, and I need to update my streaming devices anyway. Using Apple TV streaming devices/hubs with Wi-Fi would cost less than the option of updating to the Firestick 4k, and then having to purchase separate hubs/bridges. Also your content is top notch and I appreciate your articulate narration, which was clear and easy to understand, and did not waste my time with wasted words. I will view all your videos, thanks again.

@AdamsTechLife 9 ай бұрын

Thanks for your comment. Yes, the Apple TV hub features are the same compared to the HomePod/mini as far as remote access control, running automations, and sharing home with somebody. I myself would get just an Apple TV if i didn't want a HomePod for better sounding audio and just needed a HomeKit hub. Thanks so much for your kind about the videos, I truly appreciate your support! Enjoy your new smart home journey :)

@keesjan4255 11 ай бұрын

At 6:15 in your video I see a nice organisation of your HomeKit. All the lights etc organised in different rooms (main, office, master). Can you please also make a video about how to organise this and how to set this up? 😀

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

I've briefly showcased this in my apple home beginners guide video but basically you just tap the three dots on the top right in the home app and choose home settings and add room and each room is auto organized by category of device. but you can rearrange the order of the devices in each category by choosing edit room view :)

@JBaby_9783 10 ай бұрын

I just got a eero Pro 6E. This is the best thing I’ve bought. My Apple Home hated the Nokia mesh router my ISP supplied. I dumped them after finally being able to get Starlink. Starlink and this eero has changed the game for me. Things were so bad for me that I couldn’t even add new products to my Apple Home. Stuff already there barely worked half the time. My Hunter smart fans didn’t work for over a year. My smart home isn’t about being cool or making things convenient it’s about making things accessible. I’m disabled and when I got my Hunter fan 2018 that was the first time I had ever turned the light off for myself when going to bed. It was the first time that I didn’t have to call someone to change the speed of my fan. It was truly life changing. And then my ISP ruined it in 2021. Prior to the Hunter fan I had a Vornado tabletop fan plugged into an old Koogeek smart plug. I’m upgrading this plug this year. Koogeek hasn’t updated their app in 2yrs. There are better plugs these days.

@AdamsTechLife 9 ай бұрын

That is amazing to hear! Thanks for sharing and I'm glad the Eero 6E and Starlink is working well for you, I've heard great things about Starlink. A smart home is great!

@OneSonick 11 ай бұрын

Are the Aqara contact sensors water proof? (As you displayed them being utilized outdoors). If not, which other contact sensors would you recommend for outdoors? Would you recommend any smart alarms/sirens for homekit? Additionally, yes we would appreciate a video on Eufy doorbells (perhaps including a comparison with Ring and Aqara doorbells). I am looking to upgrade my Ring doorbell 2 to a reliable doorbell that supports HomeKit. With so many brands now working on products that support Matter, really excited about it! Thanks in advance for your feedback!

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

Aqara is not waterproof but i've been using it outside with a weatherproof enclosure (link in description). for smart alarms, i recommend any hub that has a built in speaker (i think it's all but the e1) they can get pretty loud. plus the g2h pro has a built in alarm too. and thanks for letting me know, i'll see what i can do about a comparison video :)

@OneSonick 11 ай бұрын

@@AdamsTechLife⁠ Thanks for the feedback. I have the Aqara Hub M2, I don’t see it’s alarm in homekit (to use for homekit automation), any reason why? My HomeKit hub is Apple 4k 128GB.

@LFz-in7eb 10 ай бұрын

I use the home pod mini as my hub. Can i add a amazon Alexa device for a different room to Control the lights?

@AdamsTechLife 10 ай бұрын

If the light supports Apple Home and Amazon, then yes, you can control the light from a homepod and echo dot :)

@jenchristianrn1 10 ай бұрын

Do you have to use a Phillips hub with the Phillips light bulbs. Or can I use another hub? Thanks.

@AdamsTechLife 10 ай бұрын

Philips Hue bulbs have to be used with a philips hue hub, thanks for your question and for watching :)

@Patrick76399 8 ай бұрын

Do you need a Philips Hue Bridge? Or do you get the same features in the Philips Hue app?

@AdamsTechLife 8 ай бұрын

You do need a philips hue bridge if you want to use the hue devices in HomeKit. you don't get all features you get in philips hue app, just basic control like changing color/brightness/power. some scenes can be synced from hue app to HomeKit . Thanks for watching and for your comment! 😊

@stain0269 10 ай бұрын

Very new to apple home and had a question. I had my Aqara stuff already added to the home app but added a new Aqara button to the Aqara app and it didn't show up in the home app? I ended up having to delete my m2 hub from the home app and re add it which worked but was a PITA cuz I had to set everything up again. Is there a better way to have something populate in the home app when you add it in it's native app?

@AdamsTechLife 10 ай бұрын

So the button may have gone to a "default room" where you can move the button to a new room. or you can go into the hub settings in the home app and find the m2 hub and you should see the button there, it may a few minutes to show up then you move to a different room. removing the hub and readding is def a pain, i've experienced that too many times

@stain0269 10 ай бұрын

@@AdamsTechLife Thanks. I didn't see it show up in a default room and I went into the hub and saw it was added to my M2 hub but I couldn't find it anywhere within the home app. Maybe I didn't give it long enough to show up. Luckily I don't have a ton of stuff connected to my Aqara hub so it wasn't the end of the world to delete it from home and re add it. Just a bit annoying and I figured there had to be an easier way.

@c130cc6 3 ай бұрын

Whats the trick to get homepod mini to recognize my wife's voice and do personal requests. It constantly fails and says, 'Who is making this request, and then nothing.... Its about to become an overpriced softball unfortunately :( I have tried all troubleshooting steps I have read online and apple forums and still a no go.

@AdamsTechLife 3 ай бұрын

the trick is for apple to fix it lol. sometimes siri won't recognize me either lol. happens at random times but not too often. the homepod isn't perfect and has some issues. you could try to reset or restart it.

@davidwalser462 10 ай бұрын

Question regarding smart lights: I would like to replace the existing lighting in our family room and kitchen with smart lights. Currently, there are 6 recessed can lights in the family room and 9 in the kitchen. Everyone raves about Philips Hue, but, at $55 per BR30 bulb (plus a hub), that's an expensive solution. In the kitchen, we could make do with the lower-cost white bulbs ($30). Philips currently has a 15% off sale (buy a hub and smart bulbs and get 15% off the order). With that discount, it would cost $560. There's no way I can get that past my bride! So, what other solutions are there that might work well while also being less expensive? For example, I see that there are retrofit LED smart panels that are Matter compatible. There are also Matter BR30 smart bulbs. A four-pack from Linkind costs $56 (but they're only 8 watts, so not as bright as the 12.5 watt Philips Hue bulbs).

@grizfan93 10 ай бұрын

You should look into replacing the wall switches with HomeKit smart switches instead. Several advantages to that approach, though might be difficult if you're renting. You will save significantly on the up-front costs. Added bonus, you won't have to worry about a smart bulb being "off" and not responding to someone using the wall switch. With your Philips Hue approach, you have 2 different ways to control the on/off of those lights; the standard wall switch and the Hue app or HomeKit, making it too easy to have those out of synch. A smart wall switch fixes that, too.

@AdamsTechLife 10 ай бұрын

When it comes to recessed canned lighting options, there's very few options available. For the most reliable experience and brightest light, Philips Hue is the best choice (they make white only at a lower cost than the colored version). I haven't used other brands, but if you just the need the light smart and toggle power and brightness, a smart switch could be a cheaper option.

@kunfreefriedchickenATK 11 ай бұрын

Can you explain why apple Homekit invites not working? My wife email has never changed & it worked before but now it’s not. I think it has something to do with iOS 16?

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

Yeah has something to do with the new home update. I had this issues too and had to restart my hubs and internet multiple times and finally got the sharing to work. It was annoying tbh

@calebwhite6173 11 ай бұрын

I have 9 Nanoleaf light bulbs set up around the house and the connection at first was wildly unstable. I just put them in last night and finished all the updates and setup this morning. They seem more stable, but we will see. I have two HomePod minis and I want to be able to move them from the living room to the bedroom at night. Moving them seems to cause some stability issues within the net work. Have you had this experience? Also, this morning the HomePods will play music when I use Siri however they do not show up or connect to the home app, do you have a way to resolve this? Have you ran into this issue at all? I was hoping with Apple the stability would be rocksolid and intuitive like all of the other products I have used. i’ll try to restart the router again when I get home but the ecosystem does not seem nearly as stable as I would like. Do you have any suggestions? I have the T-Mobile 5G wireless router, so would this be the issue? I have really solid Internet access from the router, so it seems like everything should just work but occasionally I’ll have lights that aren’t able to connect or like today. The speakers are refusing to work with the home app or with airplay.

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

For nanoleaf, I constantly had issues and they’re a brand I regret buying. Some people have had no issues, but I’ve had lots of issues even with multiple HomePods and Apple TV as thread border router. As far as the HomePods not showing up, maybe try resetting or restarting them? Could be an issue with the HomePod or the internet connection. Thanks for watching! 😊

@calebwhite6173 11 ай бұрын

@@AdamsTechLife I had to reset the router then reset the HomePods and it did the trick. Right this minute all lights are working fine. Occasionally when I go into the app it says a bulb is not responding but a few minutes later it self fixes. I’ll see if it smooths out. Apple seems quick and stable to fix issues on its own. Can’t say the same for the nano leaf app. I have a feeling it’s the thing causing the buggy operation. I haven’t opened the Nanoleaf app and have had way less issues. Definitely a Huge pain to sit and wait for each led to update. It would be crazy to have more lights. Also as a note with nano leaf is to write down each location on the little QR code they give you. Made that mistake and had to hunt down the bulb to update and setup because you have to do it once in HomeKit and once in Nanoleaf app. If they work good for a while I won’t change to another brand just because of the setup work 😂.

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

Yeah nanoleaf has been complicated for me too, I had a similar experience lol you might like and app called HomeCam for storing HomeKit codes - super helpful if the code gets lost!

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

I meant HomePass

@calebwhite6173 10 ай бұрын

@@AdamsTechLife So, Update. I have purchased Apple TV 4K 3rd gen 128gb with thread. It’s the one with the Ethernet port not the base model because they don’t really e plane that one is with thread and the other is not. I have a theory that the HomePod mini don’t have enough juice aka processing power to handle everything smoothly. And when you pair them in stereo mode I think it all goes to only one HomePod. This is based on the fact that it chooses one to present Siri on and the other is just there on standby. So. When you have several on one thread aka HomePod mini it gets overwhelmed and disconnects or can’t find some bulbs etc. I hooked up the Apple TV 4K and bam. Rock solid thread and matter support. Not one item dropped and when I occasionally walk into a room and turn it off by light switch and back on again resetting the bulb to be found it’s usually back on the thread in about a minute vs 5min or more before. Also the tv surround feature with 4K tv and HomePod mini is way worth it. I love it. We have a small apartment and really can only have the little guys up to half before we get worried about the neighbors haha. It sounds great! Yeah it sucks to buy another thing but the 4K is quite fun to own. Hope this helps. And yeah no more problems with thread or connection issues. We now say hey siri turn out the lights or do it from the app and it instantly responds.

@adnctz 11 ай бұрын

switchbot lock

@AdamsTechLife 11 ай бұрын

Solid choice!

@eddiegardner8232 6 ай бұрын

My advice would be … don’t expect many of the accessories to work correctly 100% of the time. Don’t use this tech yet for “mission critical” applications. Maybe some day…

@AdamsTechLife 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and for watching 😊

@user-wz8fh7hc4d 10 ай бұрын

I realize you need sponsors but to interject glowing reviews where they interrupt is poor judgement, and I can't stand the remaining 11 minutes of this rubbish.

@AdamsTechLife 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! 😊