Ensure your iPad is running the latest version of iOS. This guide is based on info from MacRumors, so it's safe to say that the fresher the software, the smoother your experience will be.
Plug your iPad into a power source. To function as a home hub, your iPad needs to be charging. Check out the 'Mount Your iPad' step below to ensure you purchase the best holder with hidden cable management.
Ensure your iPad is connected to the Wi-Fi. It’s how it communicates with all your smart devices.
Go to the iPad's "Settings."
Tap on [Your Name] > iCloud.
Scroll down and ensure that the "Home" option is toggled on.
Open the “Home” app on your iPad.
If you're new to the Home app, you might have to walk through a few setup steps. These include naming your home, specifying your location, and adding any HomeKit accessories you might already own.
In the Home app, tap on the house icon in the upper-left corner.
Under "Home Hub," your iPad should be listed and show a status. If everything's done right, it should say “Connected.” If it's listed as "Standby", it means there's another device (like an Apple TV or HomePod) acting as the primary hub. But don’t fret, your iPad will automatically step in if the primary hub goes offline.
Once your iPad is set up as a home hub, you can begin to create automations, scenes, and remotely access your HomeKit accessories. For example, you can set a rule to turn off all lights at midnight, or set a scene where a simple voice command like “Movie Time” dims your lights and closes the curtains.
Open the Home app and press the "Add" button. From the dropdown, pick "Add Automation."
For automations based on accessory actions, select "When an Accessory is Controlled." If it's sensor-driven, pick "When a Sensor Detects Activity."
Choose the device that initiates the automation and proceed by tapping or clicking "Next."
Determine the specific action that sets off the automation, like the device turning on or opening, and then move forward by hitting "Next."
Decide on the scenes and devices that respond to this trigger action and then select "Next."
If you need to modify an accessory setting on your iPhone or iPad, give it a long press. On your Mac, simply click on the accessory.
Finish up by tapping or clicking on "Done."
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