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🔌 HomeKit Output

Setup accessories through the Apple Home app

A HomeKit Output controls a HomeKit or Matter compatible accessory through the Apple Home app. For example, it can turn a smart plug on or off.

When the output is activated the HomeKit accessory turns on.
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Settings

Accessory

Choose which HomeKit accessory to control.

Note - only switches or smart plugs can be used. Other accessories (like thermostats, cameras, or dimmers) will not appear in the list.


Display mode

Choose what appears on the output:

  • Text – shows words or emojis

  • Image – shows a selected photo

  • Light switch - shows state of HomeKit accessory (on / off)

Color

Choose the border color of the output.


Spoken text

This is what the app will say out loud when:

  • Output is activated

  • Output is enabled (when Auditory Scan enabled)

Mode

Choose how the output behaves when activated:

  • Direct - accessory turns on when output is activated

  • Latched - accessory turns on or off when the output is activated

  • Timed - accessory turns for a period of time when activated


Setting up HomeKit Accessories

Before using a HomeKit Output in Think2Switch™, you need to set up your accessory using Apple’s Home app.
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Step 1: Add your accessory in the Home app

  1. Open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad.

  2. Add your smart plug or switch by following Apple’s instructions.

  3. Make sure you can turn the accessory on and off using the Home app.

If the accessory works in the Home app, Think2Switch™ will be able to find it. For help adding accessories, you can visit Apple’s Home support page.
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Step 2: Use the accessory in Think2Switch™

Once your accessory is set up in the Home app:

  • Think2Switch™ will automatically detect your accessories

  • Add a HomeKit Output to a scene

  • Choose your accessory from the list



Recommended smart plugs

Look for smart plugs and switches that are:

  • Matter compatible

  • HomeKit compatible

Matter

Matter is a standard for communicating with smart plugs.
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Look for Matter compatible accessories that support 2.4 GHz Wifi. These can be controlled directly from an iOS device without a hub.
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Some Matter compatible accessories require Thread instead of Wifi. These can be controlled directly from newer iOS devices (ex: iPhone 16 or newer). For older iOS devices a Thread compatible hub, known as a "Thread Border Router" is required, ex: Apple Home Pod Mini.


HomeKit

HomeKit is Apple's smart home ecosystem.
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Newer HomeKit accessories will typically support Matter. These accessories can be controlled from an iOS device without a hub.
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Older HomeKit accessories may require a Home Hub to communicate (ex: Home Pod Mini or Apple TV). For more information about Home hubs, see Apple’s Home hub support page.
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Google Home, SmartThings, Alexa

Matter compatible accessories can be shared between smart home ecosystems using a feature known as Multi-Admin.
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To control an accessory in another ecosystem (ex: Google Home), first share it with the Apple Home app. Once shared, the accessory can be controlled with a HomeKit Output.

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