Will Netgear (Orbi) support iOS 13 with a HomeKit Router?

Please add Homekit support to Orbi. I have 4 units in use and I generally like it but lack of HK support will force me to sell them and move to Eero or other that does HK

I will do the same thing and abandon the Orbi set up I have for something that is compatible with Homekit. I'd rather configure the basic settings and security from Homekit than the orbi app.

HomeKit-enabled routers (supported with iOS 13)Enabled routers bring an extra layer of security to your smart home. Use the Home app to control which services your HomeKit accessories can communicate with in your network and on the internet

HomeKit enabled routers are routers that are capable to comminicate wiht the Apple HomeKit app. You will find this app on apple devices such as computers, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch etc. On Apple TV there are extra features; enabeling automations. Such as lights on when you get home or off when you go. HomeKit enabled routers will provide an extra security layer aroud each single HomKit divice. So that when one gets hacked, all the others are sill safe. This security will be provided by the router if it is HomeKit enabled through it's firewall. If such a HomeKit router could also switch on the light when you get home, wich currently only the Apple TV is capable of, is not clear. But it seems to be the next step. Not everyone needs an Apple TV and even though most HomeKit features can be controlled by apps on your phone, It would be nice to have routers also capable of doing that. Currently Netgear is trying to make an extra buck by offering a whole mess of security layers through their current routers. Updating a router brings you all kinds of new Netgear security hapinesses when you pay for it. They offer the same kind of security to devices that HomeKit enabled routers seem to be able to give you for free, on HomeKit enabled devices. That gives me the imprssion that Netgear may not be offering HomeKit enabled routers or updates to enable them. Netgear may not want to provide you with this service. Netgear wants your money......

I guess I didn't understand that you were offering help. In my view there was no help to be given seeing as how Orbi are not HomeKit Routers and they haven't made an announcement saying they would provide an udpate to adde that functionality. There's no help to offer when it's not a feature/function available. I was simply posting to make an overt feature request and add my voice to others in the community who also want Orbi to have HomeKit enabled routers. As for quality of coverage, I've not been terribly impressed. Our home is about 2100sqft and I had to upgrade to the RBR50 with 2 satelites to get adequate coverage. I'm thinknig of getting Linksys with 4 nodes and will definitely pull the trigger when they release their HomeKit upgrade. They announced it's "Coming Soon" and while it looks like they missed the summer release plan it's still pending, thus why I'm waiting but not holding my breath and in the meantime if Netgear announces they will also, I may just sit with my current setup and I may even invest in a 3rd satelite. Another disappointing shortcoming of Netgear's is that even they they offer both Orbi and Arlo product, they don't interact/support each other. In my view it's a horrible missed opportunity to not take advantage of Arlo's hubs to help extend WiFi range when paired with an Orbi AP system. Arlo's wireless scheme is nothing more than another WiFi network (albeit private). Why not take advantage of it and offer an Orbi Arlo enabled. In a way it would be a lot like what Apple offers with HomeKit protocol for routers. It would help improve wireless coverage and even reduce noise. Besides my Orbi with 2 satelites, I have 2 Arlo hubs to provide adequate coverage for our 5 cameras. That's 3 separate WiFi networks broadcasting at our home and that even with Guest access disabled. With Guest access enabled, we're talking 4 competing WiFi networks in a single home!

HomeKit Router | NETGEAR Communities

15 Replies

FURRYe38
Guru - Experienced User
Jul 22, 2019
Is this other router infront of the Orbi or will it be behind the Orbi.

Having two routers on the same line or network is not recommended. There are some suggested configurations though.
tregan01
Guide
Jul 22, 2019
HomeKit-enabled routers (supported with iOS 13)
Enabled routers bring an extra layer of security to your smart home. Use the Home app to control which services your HomeKit accessories can communicate with in your network and on the internet
- FURRYe38
  Guru - Experienced User
  Jul 22, 2019
  So are you asking if Orbi has security features? Circl and Armor are an added feature to Orbi systems. These are additional security features that can be enabled on the Orbi system.
  
  You'll have to ask Apple what devices there Homekit products support and if they work with Orbi systems. General Apple iphones and pads work with Orbi.
thelemonkid
Luminary
Sep 16, 2019
HomeKit enabled routers are routers that are capable to comminicate wiht the Apple HomeKit app. You will find this app on apple devices such as computers, iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch etc. On Apple TV there are extra features; enabeling automations. Such as lights on when you get home or off when you go.

HomeKit enabled routers will provide an extra security layer aroud each single HomKit divice. So that when one gets hacked, all the others are sill safe. This security will be provided by the router if it is HomeKit enabled through it's firewall.

If such a HomeKit router could also switch on the light when you get home, wich currently only the Apple TV is capable of, is not clear. But it seems to be the next step. Not everyone needs an Apple TV and even though most HomeKit features can be controlled by apps on your phone, It would be nice to have routers also capable of doing that.

Currently Netgear is trying to make an extra buck by offering a whole mess of security layers through their current routers. Updating a router brings you all kinds of new Netgear security hapinesses when you pay for it. They offer the same kind of security to devices that HomeKit enabled routers seem to be able to give you for free, on HomeKit enabled devices.

That gives me the imprssion that Netgear may not be offering HomeKit enabled routers or updates to enable them. Netgear may not want to provide you with this service. Netgear wants your money......
notype
Initiate
Mar 09, 2020
Please add Homekit support to Orbi. I have 4 units in use and I generally like it but lack of HK support will force me to sell them and move to Eero or other that does HK
- Braddock
  Initiate
  Apr 08, 2020
  I will do the same thing and abandon the Orbi set up I have for something that is compatible with Homekit. I'd rather configure the basic settings and security from Homekit than the orbi app.
- FURRYe38
  Guru - Experienced User
  Apr 08, 2020
  You can post about this here:
  https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/idb-p/idea-exchange-for-home
  
  notype wrote:
  Please add Homekit support to Orbi. I have 4 units in use and I generally like it but lack of HK support will force me to sell them and move to Eero or other that does HK
  - UW
    Guide
    Aug 30, 2020
    FURRYe38 wrote:
    You can post about this here:
    https://community.netgear.com/t5/Idea-Exchange-For-Home/idb-p/idea-exchange-for-home
    
    notype wrote:
    Please add Homekit support to Orbi. I have 4 units in use and I generally like it but lack of HK support will force me to sell them and move to Eero or other that does HK
    
    I agree! I have two separate sets of Orbi RBR50 and a 20 each with two satellites that I will return in exchange for HomeKit enabled routers. Currently waiting for Linksys to release their update before I give them a shot or I may go with Eero if Linksys don't have an update by the end of the year. Either way Orbi will go back.

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HomeKit Router