How to get started and use the Home app on Mac

In this guide, we will show you how to control your HomeKit accessories, rooms, and settings in the Home app directly from your Mac.

Home app on Mac

If you have HomeKit accessories set up on your iPhone, you can conveniently manage them from your Mac. Need the light in your office turned on? Want the temperature in your home adjusted? Wondering if you’ve locked the door?

Whatever accessories you have set up, you can interact with them from your Mac without searching for your iPhone. So, make sure you’re logged in with the same Apple ID, open the Home app, and see here what you can do.

Note: Your Mac must be on macOS Mojave or later to use the Home app.

Make sure iCloud is enabled

You’ll need to be logged in with the same Apple ID for Home on Mac as that on your iPhone. If you receive a message when you open the Home app that it’s turned off, head to your System Settings (or System Preferences) > Apple ID > iCloud > Show More Apps and enable the Home option.

Turn on Home in iCloud settings on Mac

Navigate the Home app on Mac

The app has a nice overview of your Home, Rooms, Automations, and accessories.

Home

Click Home in the left-hand sidebar to see all accessories at a glance. You can click one to control it, such as turning it on or off. At the top of the Home section, you’ll see accessories with a visual status of some sort.

Home Section of the Home app on Mac

Use the plus sign on the top right of the Home section for Add Scene if you’d like to create a new one quickly.

Automation

Below Home in the sidebar is Automation. Here, you can manage any automations you have set up or click the plus sign on the top right to add one.

Automation Section of the Home app on Mac

Note: You cannot add an accessory in the Home app on Mac. This must be done on your iPhone. However, you can add an automation or scene for an accessory you’ve set up right from the File menu.

Discover

Discover is a helpful section with tips for using your accessories with HomeKit. And, of course, you can browse additional accessories available from the Apple Store.

Discover Section of the Home app on Mac

Rooms

Finally, you have a list of the Rooms you’ve created in the Home app. Each has the accessory you’ve placed in it, along with any background you’ve selected. So, it mirrors the Home app on your iPhone nicely. Just like on the main Home screen, click an accessory to interact with it from any room.

Rooms Section of the Home app on Mac

If you’d like to change the order of the Rooms in the sidebar, simply select one, drag it to its new location in the list, and release.

Accessory Controls and Settings

To view the controls for an accessory, such as the brightness of a light, or see the settings, like the room it’s in, right-click. When you right-click an accessory, select either Show Controls, Settings, or Accessory Settings.

Tip: You can get to the Settings from the Show Controls window by scrolling down or clicking the gear icon.

So even though you can’t add a new accessory on Mac, you can make changes to existing ones in its Settings. This lets you change its room, add it to your Favorites, add or edit automations, set up a scene, and group it with other accessories.

Accessory Settings in Home on Mac

HomePod Controls and Settings

If you own a HomePod or HomePod mini, you can adjust its settings from Home on Mac too. One current exception is the Intercom feature. To use the Intercom on your HomePod, you’ll need to grab your iPhone or iPad. Check out our tutorial for using Intercom on HomePod for details.

Aside from Intercom, you’ll see you can control settings like explicit language and listening history, Hey Siri and Siri’s language and voice, Location Services and Personal Requests, and other details like on your iPhone. Just right-click the HomePod and pick Accessory Settings.

HomePod Settings in Home on Mac

You can also control your HomePod alarms from Mac. Turn an alarm on or off, delete one, or create a new one. To do that, click the HomePod tile, and you will see the Alarms and Timers options.

Alarms and Timers for HomePod in Home app on Mac

Edit your Home or Rooms

Another handy feature of the Home app on Mac is that you can edit your Home or individual Rooms. Click Edit > Edit Home or Edit Room from the top menu bar, or use the Home icon drop-down box in the toolbar and pick Home Settings or Room Settings.

Home Settings and Room Settings in Home app on Mac

For your Home, you can change the name, invite people, adjust notifications, check for software updates, review your hubs and bridges, select a wallpaper, add notes, remove it, etc.

Home Settings in Home on Mac

For a Room, you can change the name, put it in a zone, select a wallpaper, or remove it.

Room Settings in Home on Mac

Keep in mind that in addition to the sidebar and right-clicks, you have the menu bar for items as well. Use File to add a scene or automation or View to jump to a room.

Hopefully, this how-to helps you maneuver and take advantage of the Home app on Mac if you’re new to it. And please share your comments below with Home app tips for our readers!

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