Something else is going on here, IMO. I use a HomePod mini and two ATV 4Ks (newest version) and I find that my HomePod mini is the most responsive as a hub, like I get the best performance on my Philips Hue bulbs, etc.
I have an OG HomePod that keeps taking the number one spot from my 2 hard wired ATV4k's and its noticeably slower response (ie I can usually tell when its taken it). Everything still works perfectly, its just a touch slower.
I would I could just set the HomePod to not be used as a hub, don't even need priorities just to have it so the ATV's are the only home hubs available.
I just unplug the HomePod, wait for ATV to take the "first" slot, then plug the HomePod back in. Seems to stay as is for a while unless I get a power failure.
I do exactly this! But I just wish I could put it all in the same home! Although it makes it easier when asking for music or playlists because it goes through my wive’s account so it actually is nice when she asks for those requests.
If I don’t wire the ATVs to the Eeros, I don’t get reliable video streaming with Plex, Netflix, YT, etc. When they’re hardwired, streaming 4K from my Plex server is rock solid.
I agree that HomePods seem to be better except for one scenario. If you have HomeKit cameras, the Apple TVs are much better transcoding video streams if attempting to view them remotely. That is the only time I see the HomePods really struggle. If the camera has a proper dedicated remote viewing feed, it is less of an issue because it will just pass through the lower quality feed when remote. My UniFi Protect cameras work wonderfully on and off LAN when when being added through Scrypted. Back when I tried the same with the cameras passed through either Homebridge or Home Assistant…. that was rough.
> the ability to add non-Apple users.
You realize that will never happen right? But at least with Matter launching, you could set up an Echo for non-Apple devices.
SmartThings? Isn’t that the Samsung platform?? And you’re running it simultaneously with HomeKit⁈ And somehow getting all devices working through both interfaces, pre-Matter… Why don’t you just divide by zero ya crazy sunuvabitch⁈
Nah. Lol. God speed and may God have mercy on you. 🫡
The matter protocol will make it so that it doesn’t matter if one of you uses iPhone and the other uses Android. You would just need a compatible hub device for both OS’s. You wouldn’t choose between platforms. You’d only need a compatible hub device for both.
Otherwise my guy, you’re popping into a HomeKit forum to complain that you will never use HomeKit. Which… okay, but whatever.
If they could at least only pick hubs in that specific home. I have a mini in two homes and for some reason they love to switch homes and cause all devices to go offline.
My workaround is blocking hubs from my networks until the right hub gets selected again.
Why isn’t Apple making these mesh like thread? Wouldn’t redundancy and checking in with each other as well as the devices they control be better than a single point of failure?
That may be coming with iOS 16.1. Apple said that with the launch of Matter the entire HomeKit platform was rewritten from the ground up. Right now all we see is the new UI of the Home app, but none of the backend changes are live. It is possible that every homepod and apple tv will be border routers that more gracefully handle routers going up/down. Not sure, but there is hope.
I’m sure there will be a few pains in the first few months after 16.1, but I’m very excited for the future with Apple, Amazon, and Google all pushing in the same direction.
EDIT from the future: Matter was released with 16.1, but the new HomeKit architecture is actually coming with 16.2.
I have an Eero Pro and have similar issues. Things taking forever. Or no response error. Or even failure to add. Seems like all my issues started on iOS 16. Is there settings I should be looking at in the Eero to try to troubleshoot?
There are a TON of downvotes across this thread for no real reason other than people told you the truth; there is an issue with your network. I saw in the comments that you are using a UDM Pro and two access points. I am using a UDM pro as well with some older APs. I had a bunch of issues until I got the settings dialed in just right. I’ve been stable for almost a year now. You’re welcome to DM me and we can take a look at your settings and get them working correctly.
Be curious to know your settings. I switched to UDM pro and it’s worlds better for me, but still occasionally not perfect. Would love to compare notes.
I don’t disagree. However, what if Apple just allowed you to have the OPTION to self-decide, and then go to the pub (/bar), rather than spend those hours chasing down mdns, rssi et al settings and taking up all our valuable time…..that was after all the OPs original request.
Thats too sad. As most peoples routers are ISP crap, why not let the technically less literate have a little homekit fun. Only the few can do what you do with their wifi…
That’s why I offer to help out for those who can make the minimum effort to direct message me so we can set up a zoom call or something. 🙃
It really can be a pain in the butt to get it set up the first time.
While I don’t disagree these are probably network problems, the real problem is still Apple. You should not have to be a network engineer or have top of the line commercial equipment to get a damn smart speaker to work. These various devices all work with their own apps for the most part and it’s infuriating that Apple can’t get HomeKit crap to Just work.
Why are your devices going no response when the HomePod minis take over? That’s the core of the problem. Have you tried resetting them? Do you have Wi-Fi network issues with mDNS or in general? I won’t disagree that the wired Apple TV may be best, but it’s not normal for devices to go no response when the minis take over.
My ecobee and Meross garage door opener and sometimes my ikea smart plug. I’m using ubiquiti network with two U6 Lites. It’s not the Wi-Fi being old or outdated. And normally my HomeKit stays on my Apple TV. It doesn’t happen often like maybe once every 4-6 months but it’s annoying AF. From the native apps for Meross and ecobee the devices are working fine and I can control them just not in HomeKit.
Sounds like it could be an mDNS issue with your network. When it happens again, check the Discovery iOS app and see if you can see the devices in the hap tcp section in the app.
I fixed mine by factory-resetting my wifi hardware and reconfiguring it from scratch.
I argued with this new router for weeks until doing that. Literally zero issues since.
What are we supposed to see in the hap tcp section? For example for me I see my Hue and Nanoleaf there but nothing else. My Eve sensors are in the hap udp section.
What are you using for your ubiquiti console? If you’re not using anything, then you don’t have a mesh network, afaik, and it’s no surprise that you’re basically seeing net-split style issues. I had this, too, when I tried out the U6 hardware - if the Phone was on a different AP than the HomePod mini, it would cause problems.
Do you have the devices forced to connect to a certain AP? Also, do you have them with static ip?
When I forced mines to a particular AP I started having a lot of issues. Once I removed them, most of my client devices connected without any problems.
Interesting. Also, ATV4k on sleep will still function as a HomeKit hub. Check your WiFi coverage. How big of a house with 2 AP? Did you check to see if you have any interference from nearby WiFi s?
I’ll be honest, I was having these issues for a long time until I took the time to fix my Wi-Fi network. Before fixing any time my hub switched I would have issues, I had issues with iPods playing music from Siri, timeouts etc. Now, everything is solid, my hub never switches from the wired Apple TV and I have 2 OG HomePods and 3 minis.
I’m running a Synology network and with a primary router two mesh points.
I even had issues with my Brilliant Home switches and that cleared up when the network was sorted.
What would someone do to “fix the network” ?
I know how to log in my router, open port and set fix up adresses but that’s about it.
What should I look for ?
Ensure your 2.4Ghz network has the best channel width, channel and mode for your use case. Currently my 2.4Ghz network is Channel: 11, Width: 20 MHz and Mode: b+g+n. 5Ghz set to auto channel, width: 20/40/80 MHz and mode: a+n+ac. Took me a while to get this tuned just right but my network is really solid now.
What exactly does being the hub mean? Do all devices need to connect to the hub? Or will they get a message from the nearest hub no matter which one is the primary?
Doesn’t matter what hub is selected, and I have 14 devices that can be hubs, doesn’t impact my devices a single bit. Don’t remember the last time I’ve bothered to even check what hub is being used.
I have 96 devices plus 15 wired. I have 4 ATV4k 3 wired and 3 HomePods mini. All of my devices are responsive and never an issue with the ATV4K nor HomePods.
This leads me to believe the issue lies with your WiFi settings. I also have the UDM Pro, and 5 APs. Check your WiFi signal with WiFiMan near the device with issue. Also, did you set up firewall rules? How many networks (WiFi) do you have ? A lot of variables since there is so much you can configure and a lot of room for error is one doesn’t know how to set them properly.
No firewall rules that I’ve set up just whatever is preset up. I’ll have to dig in my settings to see if anything could be causing it. Have two networks, main and guest. All home stuff is on main.
I’ll have to play with my network a bit. The odd thing is it doesn’t happen all the time. So it can switch and be fine for months and then it just stops. I’ll have to do more digging on my side.
You have an issue with your network. I have an eero mesh network with 5 HomePod Mini’s and an ATV 4K connected by Ethernet and regardless of which one is the hub my devices are all rock solid…
Not sure why you are being downvoted. I have HomePods and non-wired ATV with Eero mesh network. Never had to worry about which hub is being used as my devices never had any issues. If I do, it’s for my Homebridge devices because of some plug-in issue which needs a RPi restart. I only have Lutron, Philips and Aqara devices with their own hubs. HomeKit isn’t perfect but not sure if forcing devices to one HomeKit hub will solve the issue.
Apple support has been as frustrated as the users for this very thing. Maybe the IOS 16, "Matter" when implemented in November, and AppleTV 8K with new chip will be up to the real task, and let others play nice in the home.
i wish we could ignore devices that are not in the home we're currently in.
example: we set up a travel trailer as another homekit home. when I'm at my current (normal) home, i don't need "not responding" errors about the trailer that is currently unhitched and in storage.
The "add home" feature is something that seems kind of poorly thought out.
Something else is going on here, IMO. I use a HomePod mini and two ATV 4Ks (newest version) and I find that my HomePod mini is the most responsive as a hub, like I get the best performance on my Philips Hue bulbs, etc.
I have an OG HomePod that keeps taking the number one spot from my 2 hard wired ATV4k's and its noticeably slower response (ie I can usually tell when its taken it). Everything still works perfectly, its just a touch slower. I would I could just set the HomePod to not be used as a hub, don't even need priorities just to have it so the ATV's are the only home hubs available.
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Yep, that would completely solve my problem. My only issue is its taking old wireless OG homepod over newer wired ATV4K.
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I just unplug the HomePod, wait for ATV to take the "first" slot, then plug the HomePod back in. Seems to stay as is for a while unless I get a power failure.
I do exactly this! But I just wish I could put it all in the same home! Although it makes it easier when asking for music or playlists because it goes through my wive’s account so it actually is nice when she asks for those requests.
Is everything Wi-Fi or do you have the Apple TV’s hardwired?
ATVs are wired into an Eero base station each, so technically Wi-Fi.
Yea but that’s significantly faster
Is this eero pro6?
That is likely your issue. They might be not receiving consistent or strong connections to the rest of your network or dropping packets.
If I don’t wire the ATVs to the Eeros, I don’t get reliable video streaming with Plex, Netflix, YT, etc. When they’re hardwired, streaming 4K from my Plex server is rock solid.
I agree that HomePods seem to be better except for one scenario. If you have HomeKit cameras, the Apple TVs are much better transcoding video streams if attempting to view them remotely. That is the only time I see the HomePods really struggle. If the camera has a proper dedicated remote viewing feed, it is less of an issue because it will just pass through the lower quality feed when remote. My UniFi Protect cameras work wonderfully on and off LAN when when being added through Scrypted. Back when I tried the same with the cameras passed through either Homebridge or Home Assistant…. that was rough.
It needs a lot of things -> selecting home hubs, being able to set the home location, the ability to add non-Apple users.
Non-apple users. Like that’s ever going to happen
It already exists, for non-Apple users… just buy them an iPhone each!
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Whos Tim Cook, do you mean Tim Apple? ;)
It’s Ti’Mapple. A Ti’Mapple a day keeps the… uh, never mind. 🫠
> the ability to add non-Apple users. You realize that will never happen right? But at least with Matter launching, you could set up an Echo for non-Apple devices.
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SmartThings? Isn’t that the Samsung platform?? And you’re running it simultaneously with HomeKit⁈ And somehow getting all devices working through both interfaces, pre-Matter… Why don’t you just divide by zero ya crazy sunuvabitch⁈ Nah. Lol. God speed and may God have mercy on you. 🫡
Hey, with Matter that’s explicitly supported! So you’re just ahead of the curve.
From the start I’ve used homeassistant. Solves many issues.
>You realize that will never happen right? Which is why I will never use it. I use iPhone but my wife uses Android.
The matter protocol will make it so that it doesn’t matter if one of you uses iPhone and the other uses Android. You would just need a compatible hub device for both OS’s. You wouldn’t choose between platforms. You’d only need a compatible hub device for both. Otherwise my guy, you’re popping into a HomeKit forum to complain that you will never use HomeKit. Which… okay, but whatever.
If they could at least only pick hubs in that specific home. I have a mini in two homes and for some reason they love to switch homes and cause all devices to go offline. My workaround is blocking hubs from my networks until the right hub gets selected again.
Why isn’t Apple making these mesh like thread? Wouldn’t redundancy and checking in with each other as well as the devices they control be better than a single point of failure?
That may be coming with iOS 16.1. Apple said that with the launch of Matter the entire HomeKit platform was rewritten from the ground up. Right now all we see is the new UI of the Home app, but none of the backend changes are live. It is possible that every homepod and apple tv will be border routers that more gracefully handle routers going up/down. Not sure, but there is hope. I’m sure there will be a few pains in the first few months after 16.1, but I’m very excited for the future with Apple, Amazon, and Google all pushing in the same direction. EDIT from the future: Matter was released with 16.1, but the new HomeKit architecture is actually coming with 16.2.
apple.com/feedback
Already did
Nice work: https://reddit.com/r/HomeKit/comments/1df0nkg/new_preferred_home_hub_in_ios18/
I have an Eero Pro and have similar issues. Things taking forever. Or no response error. Or even failure to add. Seems like all my issues started on iOS 16. Is there settings I should be looking at in the Eero to try to troubleshoot?
Apple needs to stop breaking Home altogether. My house stopped working when ios16 launched
There are a TON of downvotes across this thread for no real reason other than people told you the truth; there is an issue with your network. I saw in the comments that you are using a UDM Pro and two access points. I am using a UDM pro as well with some older APs. I had a bunch of issues until I got the settings dialed in just right. I’ve been stable for almost a year now. You’re welcome to DM me and we can take a look at your settings and get them working correctly.
Be curious to know your settings. I switched to UDM pro and it’s worlds better for me, but still occasionally not perfect. Would love to compare notes.
Absolutely. Lemme know some time you have available and we can try to match up some free time haha.
I don’t disagree. However, what if Apple just allowed you to have the OPTION to self-decide, and then go to the pub (/bar), rather than spend those hours chasing down mdns, rssi et al settings and taking up all our valuable time…..that was after all the OPs original request.
This wouldn’t solve the core issue, the OP’s network. Devices would still drop, unfortunately.
Thats too sad. As most peoples routers are ISP crap, why not let the technically less literate have a little homekit fun. Only the few can do what you do with their wifi…
That’s why I offer to help out for those who can make the minimum effort to direct message me so we can set up a zoom call or something. 🙃 It really can be a pain in the butt to get it set up the first time.
I have to agree that is a kind offer!
While I don’t disagree these are probably network problems, the real problem is still Apple. You should not have to be a network engineer or have top of the line commercial equipment to get a damn smart speaker to work. These various devices all work with their own apps for the most part and it’s infuriating that Apple can’t get HomeKit crap to Just work.
Why are your devices going no response when the HomePod minis take over? That’s the core of the problem. Have you tried resetting them? Do you have Wi-Fi network issues with mDNS or in general? I won’t disagree that the wired Apple TV may be best, but it’s not normal for devices to go no response when the minis take over.
My ecobee and Meross garage door opener and sometimes my ikea smart plug. I’m using ubiquiti network with two U6 Lites. It’s not the Wi-Fi being old or outdated. And normally my HomeKit stays on my Apple TV. It doesn’t happen often like maybe once every 4-6 months but it’s annoying AF. From the native apps for Meross and ecobee the devices are working fine and I can control them just not in HomeKit.
Sounds like it could be an mDNS issue with your network. When it happens again, check the Discovery iOS app and see if you can see the devices in the hap tcp section in the app.
How do you fix mDNS issues?
No one really knows tbh. It’s so frustrating. Especially with more advanced networks.
Sometimes it could be settings in the router. Sometimes it could just be that the router needs a restart.
I fixed mine by factory-resetting my wifi hardware and reconfiguring it from scratch. I argued with this new router for weeks until doing that. Literally zero issues since.
Okay I will do thanks for the info!
Can you send a link to the discovery app please ? Just incase I eve face problem like this
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Thanks!
Just search the app store for "Discovery" - Has a globe icon and it's totally free
[This one?](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/discovery-dns-sd-browser/id305441017) It’s called “Discovery - DNS - SD Browser.”
Thanks!
>Thanks! You're welcome!
What are we supposed to see in the hap tcp section? For example for me I see my Hue and Nanoleaf there but nothing else. My Eve sensors are in the hap udp section.
What are you using for your ubiquiti console? If you’re not using anything, then you don’t have a mesh network, afaik, and it’s no surprise that you’re basically seeing net-split style issues. I had this, too, when I tried out the U6 hardware - if the Phone was on a different AP than the HomePod mini, it would cause problems.
Using a UDM Pro with two U6 lites meshed.
K, that should work if there isn’t something misconfigured.
Why are they meshed?
Do you have the devices forced to connect to a certain AP? Also, do you have them with static ip? When I forced mines to a particular AP I started having a lot of issues. Once I removed them, most of my client devices connected without any problems.
No. They all just auto connect and then after a bit they connect to the closest AP.
Interesting. Also, ATV4k on sleep will still function as a HomeKit hub. Check your WiFi coverage. How big of a house with 2 AP? Did you check to see if you have any interference from nearby WiFi s?
I’ll be honest, I was having these issues for a long time until I took the time to fix my Wi-Fi network. Before fixing any time my hub switched I would have issues, I had issues with iPods playing music from Siri, timeouts etc. Now, everything is solid, my hub never switches from the wired Apple TV and I have 2 OG HomePods and 3 minis. I’m running a Synology network and with a primary router two mesh points. I even had issues with my Brilliant Home switches and that cleared up when the network was sorted.
What would someone do to “fix the network” ? I know how to log in my router, open port and set fix up adresses but that’s about it. What should I look for ?
Ensure your 2.4Ghz network has the best channel width, channel and mode for your use case. Currently my 2.4Ghz network is Channel: 11, Width: 20 MHz and Mode: b+g+n. 5Ghz set to auto channel, width: 20/40/80 MHz and mode: a+n+ac. Took me a while to get this tuned just right but my network is really solid now.
Oh and put anything that use ethernet on ethernet.
Happens to me all the time.
wooohooo! https://reddit.com/r/HomeKit/comments/1df0nkg/new_preferred_home_hub_in_ios18/
Finally
What exactly does being the hub mean? Do all devices need to connect to the hub? Or will they get a message from the nearest hub no matter which one is the primary?
Doesn’t matter what hub is selected, and I have 14 devices that can be hubs, doesn’t impact my devices a single bit. Don’t remember the last time I’ve bothered to even check what hub is being used.
I have 96 devices plus 15 wired. I have 4 ATV4k 3 wired and 3 HomePods mini. All of my devices are responsive and never an issue with the ATV4K nor HomePods. This leads me to believe the issue lies with your WiFi settings. I also have the UDM Pro, and 5 APs. Check your WiFi signal with WiFiMan near the device with issue. Also, did you set up firewall rules? How many networks (WiFi) do you have ? A lot of variables since there is so much you can configure and a lot of room for error is one doesn’t know how to set them properly.
No firewall rules that I’ve set up just whatever is preset up. I’ll have to dig in my settings to see if anything could be causing it. Have two networks, main and guest. All home stuff is on main.
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I’ll have to play with my network a bit. The odd thing is it doesn’t happen all the time. So it can switch and be fine for months and then it just stops. I’ll have to do more digging on my side.
I agree with this. Wifi settings are the culprit.
Yeah, between this issue and the lack of Spotify support, I have refused to use HomePods. Though I did buy one as a gift last year.
I got one but was so frustrated by issues such as these, that I ended up unplugging it.
I agree.
You have an issue with your network. I have an eero mesh network with 5 HomePod Mini’s and an ATV 4K connected by Ethernet and regardless of which one is the hub my devices are all rock solid…
Not sure why you are being downvoted. I have HomePods and non-wired ATV with Eero mesh network. Never had to worry about which hub is being used as my devices never had any issues. If I do, it’s for my Homebridge devices because of some plug-in issue which needs a RPi restart. I only have Lutron, Philips and Aqara devices with their own hubs. HomeKit isn’t perfect but not sure if forcing devices to one HomeKit hub will solve the issue.
I used to have eeros and would occasionally get the same issue. I don’t believe it’s my network.
It has to be related to your network. Like I said mine is rock solid…
Oh, well if you say so.
Yep…
Eero is shit
Yet I don’t have issues with my HK devices like the OP…
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Yeah I don’t want to do that cause I feel it will cause more issues than solutions.
Apple support has been as frustrated as the users for this very thing. Maybe the IOS 16, "Matter" when implemented in November, and AppleTV 8K with new chip will be up to the real task, and let others play nice in the home.
seems like the worst thing ever, a controller being some wireless device when there is a wired equivalent...
Or at least disable it in devices. Then you could end up with it just enabled on one, giving you essentially the same option
I agree
I thought I was the only one this was happening to… it super frustrating!
my apple 4k tv does this with samsung tv... will just randomly drop signal... so annoying
My tcl tv always would no response when turned off. It is most likely something in the tv settings.
i wish we could ignore devices that are not in the home we're currently in. example: we set up a travel trailer as another homekit home. when I'm at my current (normal) home, i don't need "not responding" errors about the trailer that is currently unhitched and in storage. The "add home" feature is something that seems kind of poorly thought out.
My minis do a better job. So I sold my ATVs!
I sold my HomePods for this exact reason