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User profile for user: blehp
blehp Author
User level: Level1 19 points
when setting up a home hub this support site instructed me to go to a page in the Home app to update a secret update apparently and there is no prompt to update software. I am on the lastest iOS update 17 and updated the home app. there is a pop up that specifically does not include iPads as possible home hubs. This is incredibly frustrating as I have seen Apple published material, saying this is a feature. I purchased items to use specifically for this feature, having seen in multiple locations that this is something I can do and it is seemingly impossible to find any consistent method by which I can activate this Home hub with my iPad or whether or not is even a current feature. In addition to that, by the way, it is very hard for me to find any kind of comprehensive list of devices that can pair with the software and the software itself is split into like six different apps. What is going on there? Out Into the one app to connect a light that I need a second app in order to connect to the devices and I need the device app to connect to the site where I buy the products. It’s just insane.
iPad mini 6
Posted on Sep 23, 2023 9:22 AM
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User profile for user: Cands26
Cands26
User level: Level1 29 points
Posted on Dec 20, 2023 10:44 AM
Thank you. I have just realised that this is the case. However, this is extremely inconvenient to Apple customers as I can no longer use most of the devices that were previously connected to the home app. Customers should be advised of this before they updated to the New architecture. I will now have to return most of my smart devices. Not good, not good at all.
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User profile for user: Cands26
Cands26
User level: Level1 29 points
Dec 20, 2023 10:44 AM in response to Vancouver22
Thank you. I have just realised that this is the case. However, this is extremely inconvenient to Apple customers as I can no longer use most of the devices that were previously connected to the home app. Customers should be advised of this before they updated to the New architecture. I will now have to return most of my smart devices. Not good, not good at all.
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User profile for user: Cands26
Cands26
User level: Level1 29 points
Dec 19, 2023 5:47 PM in response to Superakcraig
Since the new iPad update OS 17, you are unable to see the screen. And you can no longer make your iPad a home Hub. I really don’t know what’s going on, but half of my devices have disconnected since the latest Apple update. Could somebody tell me if there’s a solution or should I return my devices as they no longer work
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User profile for user: Mr.Dbl.D
Apr 13, 2024 12:02 PM in response to azakmitron93
My complaint is that their is no answer to why it won't work, except for the one above: apple wants us to buy the other devices.
Their slogan is, "it just works", yet in this case I gotta downgrade apps? And apple will be constantly sending messages telling me and my family to upgrade? Then one person upgrades and the system goes down until I repeat the steps above, and eventually I'll give in and buy the new home hub device. Apple wins. No wonder they are a trillion dollar business. And being sued by the justice dept for monopolizing the market....
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User profile for user: ShannonM1
ShannonM1
User level: Community Specialist
Sep 27, 2023 11:10 AM in response to blehp
Hello blehp,
The iPad can be used as a home hub on the older version of Home, which is outlined at Set up your HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV, or iPad as a home hub - Apple Support. Per that article, "iPadis notsupported as a home hub on the new, more reliable, and more efficient Home architecture, whichisavailableas a separateupgrade in the Home app." So if you have updated Home, the iPad will not be an option to use as a hub. You would need a HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV.
Thanks for using Apple Support Communities!
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User profile for user: azakmitron93
azakmitron93
User level: Level1 12 points
Dec 21, 2023 2:44 PM in response to Cands26
Cands26 wrote:
Thank you. I have just realised that this is the case. However, this is extremely inconvenient to Apple customers as I can no longer use most of the devices that were previously connected to the home app. Customers should be advised of this before they updated to the New architecture. I will now have to return most of my smart devices. Not good, not good at all.
You can use homebridge though to get access to those devices, or add unsupported with HomeKit devices. Google “Homebridge” to find out what I meanhttps://discussions.apple.com/thread/255148713?answerId=259975707022#259975707022
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User profile for user: AimanStudio
AimanStudio
User level: Level1 9 points
Mar 29, 2024 2:45 AM in response to blehp
Apple is forcing clients to buy extra devices not needed, why I should buy apple TV as long as ipad can do the job as a home hub.
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User profile for user: Superakcraig
Superakcraig
User level: Level1 10 points
Sep 28, 2023 6:44 AM in response to ShannonM1
You would think otherwise if you saw what the Ipad is doing now!
Ipad Pro 10.5 as a home hub for a garage door opener. There is NO option to turn it into a home hub now in the settings. It just gives you an option to download the Home app or look at the existing bridge created.
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User profile for user: Vancouver22
Vancouver22
User level: Level8 36,589 points
Dec 20, 2023 2:41 PM in response to Cands26
If you no longer have a Hub, you need an Apple TV, HomePod, or HomePod mini. The latter being the cheapest option. However, to be able to use the Hone App, the device using the App needs to be running the latest software. Home App and Hub are two different things. It wasn’t clear if you just lost access to the Home App on your iPad or lost it being a Hub. (Or both).
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User profile for user: azakmitron93
azakmitron93
User level: Level1 12 points
Dec 21, 2023 2:22 PM in response to blehp
As that other person said, it is not supported on the old version, but it is possible to downgrade. A smart person made a solution to downgrading. It is below.
source: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/254934792?sortBy=best
A smart guy wrote:
On you Ios device, got to : http://appldnld.apple.com/iOSProfiles/KeepLegacyHome.mobileconfig
- install the profile
- go to settings - HomeKit - rest
- press the red button, or choose "Reset configuration". (it will reset all of your Homes and you’ll need to do everything from scratch)
- Wait 10-15 minutes without touching devices with your Apple ID (as it also resets all server side settings)
- Open home and create a new home. It will be with old architecture. If you want to check if it was downgraded you can check if it’s possible to add an iPad as a hub (with new architecture it’s not possible, or, more obvious, to check if there is an upgrade banner in the Updates menu)
But if you try to invite people to the home app, they would need to downgrade. That iPad will also have to be at home all the time for it to work, nd you would have to re add the accessories. After that, you would go into the home settings, and enable use this iPad as a home hub, switch that on on the target iPad. On all your devices you are using the home hub iPad with, you would have to do those steps as well. But, if you could just get a $149 dollar HomePod mini, and it may be worth it.
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User profile for user: Vancouver22
Vancouver22
User level: Level8 36,589 points
Dec 20, 2023 9:55 AM in response to Cands26
If you upgraded to the new Home architecture in Home, iPads can no longer be Hubs. A .hub needs to be an Apple TV or .homepod. All devices thst you wish to use the Hone App on should be updated to the latest software. iPadOS 16.2 at least.
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User profile for user: azakmitron93
azakmitron93
User level: Level1 12 points
Dec 21, 2023 2:29 PM in response to Superakcraig
did you download the profile?
Is it the download process? Also, click the cloud with the down icon to download the app, so it fixes.
Is something wrong with the profile? Do you not see the reset home app button?
anything else? What’s wrong
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User profile for user: Morgans568
Morgans568
User level: Level1 8 points
Mar 18, 2024 11:53 AM in response to blehp
Since some of my home automation devices don’t work directly with HomeKit, and don’t have AppleTV apps, I am left with an iPad that I need for some devices and can’t control others, plus the need for an AppleTV or HomePod to serve as a hub but is otherwise useless. This is not helpful.
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User profile for user: Mr.Dbl.D
Mr.Dbl.D
User level: Level1 14 points
Mar 31, 2024 2:33 PM in response to blehp
Thanks for posting everyone! I almost just bought an iPad for a home hub but this saved me!
And now I've decided not going to start investing in home hub devices just to be forced to upgrade every year to continue using God forsaken Apple devices...
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User profile for user: Leetommy657
Leetommy657
User level: Level1 8 points
Apr 17, 2024 2:34 PM in response to blehp
I use the home pod mini to run my security system, 2 Vizio tv’s 6 smart lights, 2 roku’s, 3 iPhones, 2 MacBook pros @ a Mac mini’s and 1 Alexa My home pod mini works great!!!! I was really kinda worried about using that over iPad but tbh I have no issues at all… just wanted to share!!!!
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User profile for user: azakmitron93
azakmitron93
User level: Level1 12 points
Dec 21, 2023 2:27 PM in response to Superakcraig
You can use the steps linked in my post, which is in the middle of this thread. https://discussions.apple.com/thread/255148713?answerId=259975707022#259975707022
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Home hub iPad
