cannot add ecobee device to apple home

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cannot add ecobee device to apple home

I have an Ecobee Switch+ in-the-wall light switch for controlling my porch lights. I had it on Alexa, but that stopped working, so I thought I would add it in HomeKit. I can see the Switch+ in my ecobee app, but I can't add it to the Apple Home app on my phone or on my Mac.

I also can't find any good documentation about the Home app, and I have some basic questions. E.g.,

Is my 2017 Apple TV HD able to be a Home hub?
Which apple TV in my Home is the Home hub? Does it matter?
How do I add devices to the Home app?

Appreciate your help!

-mj lee

iPhone 13

Posted on Sep 19, 2023 04:35 PM

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Answer 1

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Vancouver22

Level 8

37,160 points

Sep 23, 2023 12:16 PM in response to mjlee

Yes the Apple TV HD can be a Hub

You cannot choose which one will be the Hub . It changes on its own.

See: Add a smart home accessory to the Home app - Apple Support

I’m not sure as to your main question. I only have ecobee thermostat which was not easy to add! I’d suggest looking at their site for better answers. Start here: https://support.ecobee.com/s/articles/ecobee-and-HomeKit-Set-up-Scenes-and-Troubleshooting and https://www.techsolutions.support.com/how-to/how-to-use-an-apple-homekit-with-an-ecobee-switch-12111#:~:text=Done%20to%20finish.-,Launch%20the%20Home%20app%20on%20your%20mobile%20device.,of%20the%20switch%20wall%20plate.

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Answer 2

mjlee Author

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40 points

Sep 22, 2023 07:08 AM in response to mjlee

After 3 days working with Ecobee and U-verse support, I finally got my Ecobee Switch+ reconnected to Alexa. I didn't realize my 4 year old Switch+ had been deprecated (i.e. obsoleted), and I assume that's why it had trouble getting recognized by both Apple HomeKit and Alexa.

Anyhow, after 10-20 resets to factory settings, I finally got the replacement Switch+ to connect with the Ecobee app by configuring it for HomeKit. Although HomeKit wouldn't really recognize the Switch+, once Ecobee thought it was in a Home, it let me transfer it to Alexa for control. So the Switch+ showed up in Alexa as an "other" HomeKit device.

This just goes to show what is going to happen to consumers as tech companies obsolete Smart Home devices and stop officially supporting them. Whereas an analog light switch lasted 50 years in the wall, the smart home light switch might only last 3-5 years until the manufacturer stops supporting it. I have seen this with my Wyze cameras, my Wyze plugs, and now with this Ecobee Switch+. Instead of Smart Homes, we are going to end up with obsoleted Dead Homes.

BTW, I'm still looking for a resource that explains HomeKit. Thank you for any leads!

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Answer 3

mjlee Author

Level 1

40 points

Sep 25, 2023 09:07 PM in response to Vancouver22

Thanks for those links, Vancouver22. It makes me realize how poorly HomeKit is documented. When I finally got the ecobee Switch+ to work in my home, i ended up controlling it through Alexa. I never was able to control it through HomeKit.

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Answer 4

Sep 26, 2023 02:39 AM in response to mjlee

The

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cannot add ecobee device to apple home

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