HOMEKIT:Over the past two or three years I have accumulated several
Homekit devices that are managed and controlled via Apple's Home app on iOS devices. They have generally worked reasonably well, but not as reliably as I might like. So when I was unable to update the firmware on some of my devices I decided the solution might be resetting the devices. That ended up requiring
- deleting the devices in Homekit
- erasing the data in the Manufacturer's apps (deleting the apps entirely and then reinstalling them from the App store)
- Resetting some devices back to factory settings. (In the case of an August lock that required a phone call to August and they reset the lock remotely. Believe me the process is VERY secure.)
- Reinstalling the device through the Homekit app — which in turn launched the manufacturer's app to effect some f the setup.
- adding the various devices to Homekit and then adding them to specific automations
All of this was accomplished without reference to a manual or even a help screen, so it was all reasonably self explanatory.
Now that the firmware updates/upgrades have been installed I have some observations about Homekit in iOS 12...
- installing new devices works much better and faster. Automatic camera recognition of the device code was so fast I often did not realize the installation had already been accomplished
- interaction with devices via Apple TV is greatly improved (Apple TV relays Homekit signals received via Apple ID and the Internet.)
- the number of "Failed" and "Device not responding" messages has dropped to near zero even for devices that are at or near range extremes.
- IMO
- Homekit has improved from an interesting toy/gimmick to a desirable tool.
- Homekit's designed in security gives it an edge over most of the competition.
