How to Group Your HomeKit Accessories in the Home App
Screenshot/Photo by Christopher Close – No attribution required
If you are tired of toggling your accessories one by one in the Home app, then you need to know how to create groups in the Home app. With just a few taps, you can tie similar accessories—like lamps or smart outlets—together.
As one accessory, you’ll not only benefit from fewer taps in the Home app, but you’ll also unlock more straightforward Siri voice commands. We’ll show you how to create, edit, and delete groups in the Home app.
What Are HomeKit Accessory Groups?
Like how youorganize your smart home with Rooms and Zones, groups in the Home app do the same for your HomeKit accessories. Essentially, Home app groups allow you to combine multiple accessories into one, leading to fewer taps and voice commands.
If you are familiar with HomeKit, you may already be thinking, can’t wecreate HomeKit scenes in the Apple Home appto combine accessories? While technically the answer is yes, Home app groups go about it differently.
Unlike HomeKit Scenes, Home app groups can only consist of similar smart accessory types. This limitation means that you’re able to combine all the lights in a room into one, but it cannot include any window blinds, TVs, or smart plugs not assigned as a light.
Groups also differ in their appearance and functionality in the Home app. After creating a group, all its accessories will appear as one device tile, and not a larger Scene tile. When you tap to access the group’s controls, you’ll only see one toggle switch, dimmer control, or color picker.
Since the group appears as an accessory, it’s possible to include it in your HomeKit Scenes. This gets around a HomeKit limitation where Scenes cannot include other Scenes.
To create an accessory group, start by launching the Home app. Next, tap theMore…button near the top right corner of your screen, then select a room with a tap.
In a room view, tap an accessory to bring up the device’s controls, then tap theSettingsbutton on the lower right. TapGroup with Other Accessories…then use the keyboard to give your group a name, then tapdone.
Now tap the accessories that you wish to add to your group. When you finish adding accessories, tapDoneto save your group. Your group will now appear as a single accessory in the Home app.
How to Edit An Existing Accessory Group in the Home App
If you already have an accessory group and would like to add or remove devices, you can do so with just a few taps. Launch the Home app, then tap theMore…button near the top corner of your screen.
Next, tap a room, then tap your accessory group. Now tap theSettingsicon near the bottom, followed byAccessories.
In the group view, tap Edit near the top right corner, then tap the accessories you wish to add or remove. Finally, tapDoneto save your changes.
How to Delete an Accessory Group in the Home App
Like editing your groups, you can delete a group at any time. Launch the Home app, tap theMore…button at the top of your screen, then tap a room.
Now tap a grouped accessory, followed by theSettingsicon near the lower right corner. Scroll downward, then tap theUngroup Accessoriesoption to remove the group.
Fewer Taps, More Time With HomeKit Groups
By organizing your HomeKit home with groups, you’ll spend less time toggling individual accessories giving you more time to enjoy your smart home. Now all the lamps in your living room or smart plugs in the bedroom will react with a Siri voice command or a single tap in the Home app.
See how you can better find your smart home accessories in the Home app and even have more natural conversations with Siri.
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