Monday, September 13, 2021

Set the scene for your next movie night directly from your Apple TV

Your Apple TV is much smarter than you might think.

If you own HomeKit accessories and one of the best Apple TV boxes, you may have noticed that there isn't a full-blown Home app for the big screen. Sure, you can use Siri via the Apple TV remote or set your favorite scenes in Control Center — but sometimes a grid view or having the ability to cycle through your cameras automatically is just better. Thankfully, there are apps available that can help fill the void! Here are some of the best Apple TV HomeKit apps that you can add to your home theater today.

HomeCam for HomeKit

HomeCam, the premier HomeKit camera app available for iOS, iPadOS, and Apple Watch, also happens to be on the Apple TV. This app puts your cameras just a click away at all times, and it even includes controls for accessories in the same room, hiding all of the others that are not relevant.

While the latest version of tvOS now supports HomeKit camera streaming directly from Control Center, you are limited to a grid view or a single live view. With HomeCam, you can set the app to auto-cycle through all of your feeds, keeping you aware of all the action while still giving you the most extensive full-screen view possible.

HomeCam for HomeKit

$5 on the App Store

HomeCam for HomeKit goes above and beyond the built-in camera capabilities in tvOS with a handy fullscreen view that automatically switches between all of your feeds.

HomeCenter for HomeKit

Sitting at the opposite end of the HomeKit control spectrum is HomeCenter for HomeKit. This app gives you access to your HomeKit accessories in a familiar grid view, including cameras, putting your home in the palm of your hand.

HomeCenter also supports fine adjustments, such as lighting levels, colors, and temperature adjustments. A Favorites view allows you to put passive sensors like air quality and humidity accessories a glance away, making your entire TV feel just like a giant command center.

HomeCenter for HomeKit

$14 on the App Store

HomeCenter is the ultimate HomeKit app for those looking for complete control directly from the TV. This app is the only one around on the TV that comes close to matching a potential Home app.

Thermo Watch for Nest & Ecobee

Thermo Watch is an Apple TV app tailored explicitly to controlling your home's heating and air. This app works with HomeKit thermostats, like ecobee, and gives you access to temperature adjustments, changing modes, and even toggling on the fan, right from the Siri remote.

In addition to HomeKit, Thermo Watch also works with select Nest thermostats, which is enormous for those who have been patiently waiting for support for Apple's smart home platform. If that wasn't enough, Thermo Watch is available on all of your iOS devices and the Apple Watch, making it quite the bargain.

Thermo Watch for Nest & Ecobee

$3 on the App Store

If you want a simple way to adjust your HomeKit thermostat, then look no further than Thermo Watch. Large, easy-to-use controls make cooling the place down easy, and additional sensors put data like humidity on the big screen.

emblazee

If controlling your HomeKit lights is all you need, then emblazee may be the right app for you. Optimized for TVs, emblazee has quick toggle controls and a color selection tool for setting the perfect mood right from the comforts of your couch.

emblazee also comes with an iOS, iPadOS, and Apple Watch app, keeping everything familiar if you like its clean design. Additional features such as scheduling, scenes, zones, and groups are available on the smaller screens.

emblazee

$1 on the App Store

HomeKit lights are just a few clicks away using the emblazee app on your Apple TV. This app has easy-to-use controls, such as a large color selector that works by sliding your finger across the Siri Remote.

Streamie

Streamie is another HomeKit camera app that helps you keep an eye on everything in and around your home. With a classic grid view, this app can display up to 25 cameras at once through the latest and greatest Apple TV 4K, including cameras outside of the HomeKit world that use the RTSP protocol.

This app doesn't just show you cameras, though — it can pan, tilt, and zoom into your feeds. You can also save events directly to an iCloud Shared Photo Album with a click. The app is free to try, limiting you to just one camera, but if that is all you have, Streamie is a great way to see how valuable your Apple TV can be.

Streamie

Free on the App Store

Streamie brings the classic closed-circuit video feed view to the HomeKit world through Apple TV. This free to try app can display up to 25 — yes 25, cameras all at once.

What are your favorite HomeKit apps for Apple TV?

Which HomeKit apps are you using for your Apple TV? Know of an awesome one that we missed? Let us know in the comments!

Updated September 2021: These are still the best HomeKit apps for Apple TV.


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