Enhance Your Smart Home with Apple TV as a HomeKit Hub

Apple TV isn’t just for streaming; it’s a powerful HomeKit hub that can control your smart home devices. However, Bluetooth range limitations can hinder connectivity with accessories like August smart locks. This article explores how adding a second Apple TV can resolve these issues.

Experiencing unreliable control of your August smart lock from an Apple TV located far from your front door? A common problem, as August smart locks rely on Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE) for communication, which has a limited range compared to Wi-Fi. Even the August Connect hub doesn’t bridge the gap, as it communicates with Apple TV exclusively via BTLE.

Adding a second Apple TV closer to the smart lock provides a solution. A real-world example demonstrates how a user with an Apple TV in their family room struggled to connect to their front door smart lock. Installing a second August smart lock on the garage door, closer to the existing Apple TV, resulted in flawless connection. This prompted the purchase and installation of a second Apple TV in the office, near the front door. The result? 100% reliable access and control of the front door lock.

Setting up the second Apple TV is a breeze, taking approximately 10 minutes, including a potential firmware update. Using an iOS device for setup streamlines the process, automatically transferring Wi-Fi settings, iCloud login, and other necessary information. The new Apple TV seamlessly integrates into your HomeKit setup, acting as a secondary hub. This resolves the connectivity issues stemming from BTLE’s range limitations.

While a single Apple TV might suffice for smaller homes or apartments with centrally located smart devices, larger homes or properties with devices spread out may benefit from strategically placed multiple Apple TVs acting as HomeKit hubs. This ensures consistent and reliable control over your smart home ecosystem. The minor investment in a second Apple TV provides a significant upgrade in smart home functionality and reliability by extending the reach of your HomeKit network.