How do I open the home app?

Find the Home app on your iPhone — it looks like a small house. If it's not on your home screen, swipe down and search for "Home." The app is pre-installed on all iPhones with iOS 8 or later.

How do I add a smart device?

Tap the plus (+) button in the top right corner and choose "Add Accessory." Scan the QR code or HomeKit setup code on the device's packaging or product label. The app will walk you through the setup process, which usually takes under two minutes.

How do I assign the device to a room?

During setup, the app will ask which room the device belongs to. Choose from existing rooms like "Living Room" or "Bedroom," or create a new one. This keeps your home organized and makes voice commands more accurate.

How do I control devices from the app?

Back on the Home app main screen, tap any device tile to toggle it on or off. Tap and hold a tile to see more options — like setting a light's brightness or color, or viewing a camera's live feed. Use the Rooms tab at the bottom to filter by room.

How do I create an automation or scene?

Tap the plus (+) button and choose "Add Automation" to have devices respond automatically — for example, turning on the porch light when the sun sets. Or choose "Add Scene" to group multiple devices together under one button. Tap the scene tile whenever you want all those devices to activate at once.

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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.

How to Use the Apple Home App to Control Smart Devices

Open the Home app

Add a smart device

Assign the device to a room

Control devices from the app

Create an Automation or Scene

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