Does SimpliSafe Integrate with Apple HomeKit?
For smart home enthusiasts who have built their ecosystem around Apple HomeKit, compatibility is a key factor when choosing new devices. A common question from those looking for a DIY security solution is whether SimpliSafe, one of the most popular systems on the market, works with Apple HomeKit.
The direct answer is that SimpliSafe does not offer native support for Apple HomeKit.
This means you cannot add the SimpliSafe hub as an accessory in the Apple Home app, and you cannot use Siri to arm or disarm your system out of the box. This article will explain the current situation, why this is the case, and discuss the unofficial workarounds that some users employ.
## SimpliSafe's Official Smart Home Integrations
While HomeKit is not on the list, SimpliSafe does provide official integration with two other major smart home platforms:
- Amazon Alexa: You can use the SimpliSafe skill for Alexa to arm your system in "Home" or "Away" mode and check the current status of your system using voice commands. For security reasons, you cannot disarm the system with Alexa.
- Google Assistant: Similar to the Alexa integration, you can use Google Assistant to arm your system and ask for its status. Disarming via Google Assistant is also not permitted.
SimpliSafe also has integrations with other services like August Smart Locks, which allows you to automatically lock your doors when you arm your system. However, the core integration with a comprehensive platform like HomeKit is missing.
## Why No Native HomeKit Support?
Companies must go through Apple's MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad) certification program to offer native HomeKit support. This involves meeting specific hardware and software security requirements. SimpliSafe has never publicly stated the exact reason for not pursuing HomeKit integration, but potential reasons could include:
- Development Costs: The certification process and development required can be resource-intensive.
- Security Standards: HomeKit has stringent security requirements that may be complex to implement with an existing product line.
- Business Priorities: The company may feel that its existing integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant cover a large enough portion of the smart home market.
As it stands, there have been no official announcements from SimpliSafe about any plans to add HomeKit support in the future.
## Unofficial Workarounds: Homebridge and Home Assistant
For technically-inclined users who are determined to bridge the gap, there are unofficial methods to connect SimpliSafe to HomeKit. These solutions do not require any modification to the SimpliSafe hardware itself but instead use a "bridge" running on a separate computer on your home network.
### What is Homebridge?
Homebridge is a lightweight server you can run on a device like a Raspberry Pi or an always-on computer. It is open-source software that emulates the HomeKit API. Developers have created thousands of plugins for Homebridge that can connect to devices and services that do not natively support HomeKit.
There is a popular and well-maintained SimpliSafe plugin for Homebridge. By installing Homebridge and this plugin, you can expose your SimpliSafe system (including arm/disarm functions and sensors) as accessories within the Apple Home app.
### Considerations for Using Workarounds
While solutions like Homebridge are powerful, it's important to be aware of the downsides:
- Not Official: They are not supported by SimpliSafe. If something breaks, you cannot contact customer support for help.
- Technical Setup: It requires a certain level of technical comfort to set up and maintain the Homebridge server.
- Potential for Failure: An update to SimpliSafe's software or API could temporarily or permanently break the integration, as the plugin developers must then reverse-engineer the changes.
For many, these workarounds are a perfect solution. However, if you are not comfortable with the setup and maintenance, it is best to use SimpliSafe with its officially supported integrations.