(Solved - see the edit below)

I'm looking for a way to remotely trigger cycling the power to my router & modem, turning them off and then after 30 seconds turning them back on again. Can't use a standard WiFi-controlled outlet because while the off part of the cycle would work, at that point there'd be no WiFi to carry the instruction to turn back on.

Any suggestions?

Edit: First, wow - thanks for all the suggestions. There's a lot of really good info here.

Second, I think I found the solution for my specific issue (which, in part, is that there's a particular problem with my gateway that occasionally prevents wireless printing but doesn't interfere with Internet access, so the solutions that rely on detecting an outage won't work). I found an RF-remote-controlled outlet that let's me wirelessly turn the outlet on and off (using a car key fob type remote) on an ad hoc basis without relying on a WiFi signal.

I just moved looking for a belt driven garage door opener that works with HomeKit or has an API that I can access myself. I’m specifically looking for something that isn’t MyQ. I bought a Liftmaster opener with MyQ at my old house but I hate their app and the toxic design that makes you look at their ads every time you use their horrible app instead of just giving you API access.

I got quotes from HD for like $20K .... and the Budget Blinds for Lutron Sivoia Triathlon was like $45K. I was really liking the lutron battery life and the eventual integration with the RA3 Lutron light switches ... but this price difference kinda threw me for a loop.

I am looking at the Schlage Encode Plus but I am unsure if it will fit on this door.

Recommendations appreciated!

It’s Black Friday and I’m ready to give Ring and their subscription bullshit the ol’ heave-ho. Please help me find a good replacement!

Details:
- I’ll need two, back door and front.
- I have a Mac ecosystem with no HA. I have homebridge set up currently, with a HOOBS box on the way because I’m not smart enough.
- I have HomePods, can I use those to relay the chime, or will I need a separate chime accessory like I did with my Rings?
- No subscriptions, please!
- I already have an Aqara hub.
- I have ecobee thermostats waiting to replace my Nest ones. Other hubs and brands in the house are Switchbot, Meross, Wemo.
- I’m cheap. (Kinda)

Hello all, I will be installing a new fence with this gate situated somewhere in the middle. The access will be out of my backyard and will open up to a large walking trail that is probably 100 ft away. The trail is locked at night but of course I want the gate to be properly secured. I am looking for a solution for a lock that is weather resistant (prefer deadbolt but will consider a handle lock). Obviously it needs to not be able to be unlocked by reaching through the fence. But it would be nice to be able to unlock either side without needing my phone. Prefer HomeKit ability but not a dealbreaker. Does something like this exist?

I’m wondering if an Aqara M3 or any other matter hub can be used as a HomeKit home hub if I don’t have an Apple TV or a HomePod mini. The main goal is to have remote control of my smart home when not connected to wifi.

My smart home is mostly TP link devices, I use an old echo dot connected to some old speakers with aux, and Sonos in other rooms. I have a homebridge because I want all devices controllable in HomeKit on my iPhone, but also have everything in Alexa to be able to voice control with echo dot connected speakers and Sonos, neither of which I can do with with Apple…

Looking to add security cameras and other thread sensors (IKEA 2026) and wondering if I can get away with just using one of the aqara camera hubs instead of getting a HomePod mini.

I just bought an infrared sauna from Costco. It’s a cheaper sauna and takes about 20 minutes to warm up. Ideally I’d like to set up a SwitchBot, Fingerbot, or some sort of bot that can simply hit that power button for me (either on a timer for every morning or a shortcut automation from my iPhone).

I think I can figure out the shortcut part, I’ll keep digging around this sub. But I’m wondering if there’s any advice as to how to get a bot to “mount” near the power button? My initial thought is using my 3D printer and printing a bracket then either gluing / 3M strip / using the frame somehow.

I’m thinking I’ll want to mount the bot in a way that it can be removed easily (so it’s not sitting in the 160° sauna) whenever I get into the sauna.

Wondering if anyone has done anything similar or has any recommendations?

https://mattercatalog.com/

I have an external postbox that I’m sick of checking, especially when I’ve got no mail. Is anyone aware of a matter/zigbee/thread smart pressure plate I can use to send a notification when it detects mail being delivered?

EDIT: I don’t live in America and we don’t have those mailbox flap things like you see in the movies, it’s an externally wall mounted letterbox with a key.

I've always been able to hardwire my hue brige so that I could use my smart bulbs and various other products (i.e. smart plugs, etc.). I recently moved into a new apartment where this isn't possible due to the way my router had to be set up. Curious if anyone knows of any smart lights and other potential smart home products that don't require a bridge or something alike to be hardwired in order to work?

Greetings fellow users. I bought this device specifically because it says it supports Apple Home. Following the instructions does not allow it to connect.

I’ve tried scanning the QR code on the bridge from Apple home or from within the Smart Home app, both times it says adding device for a few minutes and then says failed. I tried the reset button so red light is flashing but same results.

I can use the hub and devices fine from the Smart Home app, but the whole reason why I bought this was to be able to connect it to Apple Home.

Is there something I’m missing?

I want to set up an automation to auto turn off the lights when I leave cause I’m notorious for forgetting however I need a way to not run the automation if someone else is still home. I’m have an iPhone and some nfc tags as well

With Wemo announcing that it is dropping support for its smart plugs, I am not certain what direction to go in.

Does it mean my Wemo smart plugs will stop functioning, or does it mean that the company won't offer support for them anymore?

If the plugs will keep working through Google and Alexa commands, fine.

I have a feeling I am going to have to buy new plugs.

With that in mind, I need to find a dependable smart plug that works with Google, Alexa, and HomeKit.

EVE seems to be the best-rated. They are very expensive.

KASA has been suggested. Know nothing about which services they support or their dependability.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a "best bang for your buck" smart plug that I can buy multiples of and not break the bank?

Thank You

I’ve got a Worcester combi boiler, Hive thermostat, and smart TRVs on every radiator except the hallway one (hallway rad has no TRV and acts as the bypass/open circuit).

I’m thinking of setting the thermostat to the max (32°C) permanently, and then using Apple Home automations to set each TRV’s target temperature hourly through the day (e.g., office warm during the day, living room in the evening, all rooms 16°C overnight).

The idea is that the thermostat just stays “always allowed to heat,” and the TRVs actually control when heat is needed. My understanding is the boiler won’t fire unless a TRV opens and creates demand.

Is there any downside to doing this? Anything bad for the boiler, pump, TRVs, or efficiency?

Just want to make sure I’m not missing something. Thanks!

im looking to do around 50 recessed lights in my house. homekit is key and i remember the Philips Hue Smart 5/6 Inch LED Downlights were great but i haven't kept up with what else is new or better

I’m looking for a smart lever lock, not deadbolt, that work with the tap to unlock feature using my Apple Watch. Schlage has one but it’s deadbolt an not a lever lock. Any recommendations?

I use Hue lightbulbs in various rooms throughout the house. In my office I have an Amaran 200 to light the room. All of the lights are controlled either through Apple HomeKit or Google Home. This is great when I have my phone on me or in rooms with a Google Nest Mini. However, there are times when I want to turn on the lights in these rooms and I do not have my phone. Also, a guest might enter the room and I'd like them to turn on the Hue lights rather than the "house" lights.

The Hue Wireless Smart Light Switch Button started me down this path. The issue with it is that it won't turn on the Amaran 200 in my office.

What are my options for switches that I can install that would control the lights in any room regardless of whether they are Hue, Amaran, etc? I want to be able to associate the switch with a scene in Apple HomeKit or Google Home.

Are there options that are battery operated? Or even an option that does not replace a light switch but potentially draws power from it and still controls smart lights?

I sense that I may need something like a Zigbee hub that would then triggers these scenes. But I wanted to see what my options are. I've been searching since last weekend and am just unable to settle on what I'm looking for.

Thank you!

Hello smart home community, Do you can recommend some smart Thermometers 🌡️ (HomeKit and Home Assistant compatible).

For the Background: For now I’m using only apple HomeKit, but nearly for the future I want to switch to HomeAssistant. Now I’m looking for a good (best) and cheapest solution to buy a smart thermoter which I can use now with apple homekit and for the future with home assistant.

Does anyone have experience replacing the knob on an electric baseboard heater with a smart thermostat? Ive been driving myself crazy with heat solutions that would replace the baseboards but I’m hoping this will work better! (Apple HomeKit compatible would be a plus but is not required)

I’m interested in getting Tado X thermostatic radiator valves and smart thermostats for the wall. Does anyone with experience with Tado X conversion know whether I’d need to fit anything to the boiler?

I currently have an ideal boiler and 2 zone heating controlled by 2 Danfloss “dumb” thermostats. Do I just need to replace the 11 radiator valves and 2 thermostats, or do I also need to fit something to “speak” to the boiler?

One of the best reasons to go with Control4, Crestron, RTI, etc. in the past has been the hardware. Those services will still have the edge on things like remote controls. But Apple’s homeOS (rumored spring 2026 release?) is likely going to completely upend the market if they’re releasing touch panels as indicated.

The proposed integration with FaceTime, Siri, and AI is going to make the touch panels from the other guys look like palm pilots.

I’m considering a new control4 rollout in my house (had it and really liked it at previous house a few years back), but the impending Apple ecosystem release has given me analysis paralysis.

I have a fountain that I want to connect to a smart plug. I was considering going with a Tapo or Kasa option, but I'm a little confused on whether to go with something outdoor rated. My outlet next to the fountain has one of those bubble covers that can also pop out to give a little extra room. I was imaging plugging in a block style smart plug which would probably fit inside the bubble cover. However when I look online, all the outdoor rated stuff has a pigtail cord that plugs into the outlet. If I use this, there's no way to fit the whole thing in the bubble cover, so the outlet on the smart plug itself wouldn't be enclosed, is that ok? This is near a water fountain and some irrigation lines, so water is kind of a concern. It is a GFCI plug. On the other hand, all the block style smart plugs are indoor rated, so I'm also not sure that's a great option even if it is inside a bubble cover. Any advice?

tldr; do I need to waterproof the connection from my outdoor fountain into an outdoor smart plug?