You can, if you have set up an Apple device as a home hub. Below is more information on how to set up a home hub:


Configuring a HomePod, Apple TV or iPad as a home hub

With a home hub you can control your HomeKit accessories remotely, grant permissions to people you trust and automate your accessories and have them do what you want, when you want.


 


Proceed as follows

  • Configure your HomeKit accessories in the Home app on your iOS device. 
  • If you want to edit automations and user permissions or remotely stream HomeKit-compatible cameras,1  you need a HomePod,2 an Apple TV 4K or Apple TV HD with the most recent version of tvOS2 or an iPad with the most recent version of iOS. 
  • To control your HomeKit accessories remotely, you need a HomePod,2 an Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, Apple TV (3rd generation)12 or an iPad. 
  • The device you configured as a home hub must remain in your home, be connected to your own WiFi network and be powered on. 


1 Apple TV (3rd generation) does not offer support for remote access to shared users or remote access for HomeKit-compatible cameras. 

2 HomePod and Apple TV are not available in all countries and regions. 


Configuring HomePod as a home hub 

HomePod automatically configures itself as a home hub so that you can control your HomeKit accessories remotely with the Home app and create home automations. Check if the iOS device you used to configure HomePod is logged in to iCloud with the Apple ID that you used to configure your HomeKit accessories in the Home app.


* HomePod is not available in all countries and regions.


Configuring Apple TV as a home hub 

  1. Enable two-factor authentication for your Apple ID. On your iOS device, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘[your name]’ > ‘iCloud’, and check if iCloud Keychain is enabled. 
  2. On the Apple TV, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Accounts’ and check if you are logged in to iCloud with the same Apple ID as for the iOS device. 
  3. After you have logged in to iCloud, the Apple TV will be automatically configured as a home hub. If you want to know whether your Apple TV is connected as a home hub, go to ‘Settings’ on your Apple TV. Then go to ‘Accounts’ > ‘iCloud’ and look under ‘HomeKit’.


* Apple TV is not available in all countries and regions.


Configuring an iPad as a home hub 

  1. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘[your name]’ > ‘iCloud’. 
  2. Log in with your Apple ID. 
  3. Check if iCloud Keychain and Home are both enabled. 
  4. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Home’ and enable ‘Use This iPad as a Home Hub’.


Checking the status of your home hub

You can check the status of your home hub, for example if it is connected, in the Home app on an iPhone, iPad, iPod touch or Mac. 

  • On your iPhone, iPad and iPod touch: tapin the upper left. If you have set up multiple homes, tap ‘Home Settings’ and then tap a home. Check if your home hub is connected under ‘Home Hubs’
  • On a Mac: go to ‘Edit’ > ‘Edit Home’. Then check if your home hub is connected under ‘Home Hubs’.


If you want to check the status of a home hub in another home that is set up in the Home app, click on ‘Homes’ in the upper left corner and click on a home. If you want to check whether your Apple TV is configured as a home hub, go to ‘Settings’ on your Apple TV and click on ‘AirPlay’ > ‘Room’ and check if you assigned your Apple TV to a room in the Home app.* If you have set up multiple home hubs, the primary home hub will be shown as connected. The remaining home hubs will be shown with the ‘Stand-by’ status; these will take over remote control if the primary home hub is not connected. 


*Apple TV is not available in all countries or regions.