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Hope no one minds the reboot a few years later....
Working with an Orbi RBR750 running V7.2.7.15_5.1.16, and any time I go to add a device to Apple Home, get messages that router does not support HomeKit. Have to say I am am a bit surprised, especially when there is a dedicated band for IOT, to the point where I am thinking it must be me and configuration settings preventing devices from being added to HomeKit.
Anyone running HomeKit from an Orbi? What tips or tricks worked to get the devices added?
Adding a device works as expected up until the last second when the error is displayed.
Thank you in advance for any input...
6 Replies
So, the HomePod does not connect to the WiFi network?
Two HomePods and an iPad (dedicated to just the iot netowrk) are on the Orbi WiFi 2.5 network.
Adding any device gives the same error.
• Open Home Add• Select add button
• Select new device
• Scan sticker
• Enter code
• Error
Tried 4 devices. Each device manually removed from previous network. Each device factory restored.
Two HomePods and an iPad (dedicated to just the iot netowrk) are on the Orbi WiFi 2.5 network.
You mean the IoT network? The guest network isolates devices, so that won't work.
Netgear routers do not function as a HomeKit server.
The Internet of Things (IoT) WiFi network was created by Netgear to address the problem some users experience when the smartphone app for this new gizmo is poorly written and will not function when the smartphone is connected to WiFi at 5G. Because the IoT network 5G signal can be temporarily disabled (which forces a smartphone to connect to it at 2.4G), the gizmo can be connected and then the 5G IoT signal can be enabled again. The IoT network has nothing to do with HomeKit (or any other "smart home" functionality).
Familiar with HomeKit Hubs (in my case a HomePod and iPad, and iPhone all represent Hubs.
Also had a HomeBridge server set up a few years back - this is not part of the ecosystem any longer.
Homekit also requires a homekit compatible router. Given the Orbi is a tri-band (required for Home Kit support) I simply expected HomeKit would be supported by Netgear/Orbi in 2025. Take for example Linksys MX4200 or WHO03 Velops—Tri-bands.
Homekit also requires a homekit compatible router.
No it doesn't.
If you happen to have a homekit compatible router then you can manage the router itself with homekit
But it is not required to connect your other devices to homekit - it is an optional component. AFAIK there are only a couple of homekit routers out there (some linksys models). So I don't think this got a lot of traction in the marketplace.
What devices are you trying to add?
