Home automation has made life easier and more comfortable. As we speak, one can now monitor what is happening in his or her home, thanks to the seamless connection between smart devices. As long as you have your mobile device or tablet, be sure that you will be able to control and monitor everything with just a click of a button or voice command.
When it comes to home automation, there are many companies that manufacture and sell smart devices to homeowners out there. ADT is one of the leading companies that sell home security smart devices. The good news is that you can now connect these devices with Homekit, among other frameworks.
Since most people have been asking how does ADT work with HomeKit, we shall take a closer look at how you can connect these two components and other related facets.
What Is ADT
Before we discuss how one can connect ADT to HomeKit, there is a need for you to know the finer details about this company. Like we mentioned above, this company is the granddaddy of all security systems. Unlike other home security systems companies, this one boasts of being in operation for 145 years and counting. Currently, it has over 6 million customers who reside in the US. Some of the smart devices that you are likely to purchase from this company include:
- Smart door lock
- Outdoor siren
- Smart smoke detectors
- Temperature sensor
- Motion sensors
- Glass break sensor
- Flood sensor
- Smart light bulbs
- Smart plug
- Indoor siren
Since these devices can be integrated with frameworks such as Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Homekit, be sure that you will have an easy time controlling them. This is because they can be controlled using your mobile device even when you are miles away from your home. These features make them a perfect addition to any home.
What is Apple Homekit
Simply put, Apple Homekit refers to the framework on which Apple devices control various smart devices. Some of the smart devices that can be controlled on this ecosystem include thermostats, plugs, light bulbs, window blinds, and so much more.
With the advent of modern technology, such processes have become seamless. All you need to do is to integrate your desired smart device with this platform, and you will be good to go. As far as controlling your desired devices is concerned, be sure that you can do so through a click of a button or through a voice command. The latter is possible, thanks to Siri.
Unlike other frameworks, this one only works with a limited number of devices. Therefore, before you think of linking all your desired devices on this platform, first ensure that they are compatible with Apple HomeKit.
For optimal results, you should be keen to check the ‘Work with Apple Homekit’ label on your package that comes with your desired device. If they support Homekit, you will be good to go.
Does ADT Natively Support Homekit
Although it is possible to integrate the ADT system with the HomeKit platform, it is essential to note that ADT security systems do not natively support this platform. This can be attributed to the fact that Apple has a licensing program that bars its devices to work with various hardware devices such as those produced by ADT.
If this were to happen, the prices of the ADT device could skyrocket as it might require an authentication chipset and a special encryption. As a result, most manufacturers forewent the Made For iPhone (MFI) licensing and instead opted for Homebridge integration.
Compared to the simple HomeKit integration, you will note that Homebridge integration is quite involving. However, it has proved to be effective as far as the integration of ADT and the Homekit platform is concerned.
What Is Homebridge
This is basically a platform that is designed to offer 3rd party products with a gateway so that they can appear on Apple Home. Consequently, this platform bridges these devices with the Homekit framework. It is important to note that this platform is a lightweight solution that uses Apple API and support various 3rd party products using community-contributed plug-ins. The platform also comes with functionalities such as wireless connectivity, mobile connectivity, and cloud connectivity.
How Do I Connect ADT With Homekit
When it comes to integrating ADT devices with Homekit, you can either set Homebridge on your PC or obtain a HOOBS. HOOBS stands for Homebridge Out of the Box System).The latter is preferred by many as it is considered to be relatively cheap.
Besides this, it does not need one to have technical knowledge in programming. Remember that if you set up Homebridge on your computer, it should always be on during the entire integration process. Consequently, it makes the former option not to be energy-friendly.
The Homebridge hub is a lifesaver for many as it is easy to set up. It is actually a small set of hardware that comes pre-installed with Homebridge. With this hardware in place, you will have an easy time integrating all your 3rd party devices with Apple Homekit. Here are the other advantages of considering HOOBS:
- Unlike other platforms, this one depends on the contribution from the community using GitHub. Since it is an open-source platform, it is able to get updated every now and then. In addition, it supports newer releases, thus making it ideal for use.
- The platform boasts of its ability to be used by more than 2000 devices from other manufacturers. Some of them include Roborock, SmartThings, SimpliSafe, MyQ, Sonos and many more. Therefore, you will not be limited to utilizing products from one brand only.
- When it comes to the consolidation of security systems with smart home ecosystems such as HomeKit, this platform does not disappoint.
The process of integrating the ADT system with Apple HomeKit is generally easy and straightforward. Here are the steps that can help you get started:
- Connect HOOBS to your home’s internet. Ensure that the Apple Homekit is also connected to the same network. You can readily do this by either using an Ethernet cable or setting up the Wi-Fi. Be patient as this process may take 4 to 5 minutes to get completed.
- Once you are done, And then create an account using your details. These include the username and password.
- With these details at hand, you can now log in to your account and then look out for ‘adt-pulse’ plug-in. Better still, you can visit the plug-in page and then click the install button.
- By doing the above, you will be able to install the plug-in. Once the plug-in has been installed, another platform will pop up requiring you to provide the configuration code.
- Enter the configuration code correctly, and you will have successfully integrated the ADT sensors with the HomeKit.
If the above-mentioned method proves to be complicated, you can consider using the plug-in’s automatic configuration. Once the plug-in has been installed, visit the Public Configuration page and then add your ADT’s username and password. Save the changes made and then restart the HOOBS network. By doing so, the ADT sensors will start working with the Apple Homekit platform.
What Can I Do With ADT Homekit Integration
Once you have integrated ADT devices with the Apple HomeKit framework, there are a number of activities that you will be able to do. First, you will have control over your ADT using your Apple devices.
The good news is that you will not only be able to control these devices within the perimeter of your home but also when you are miles away from your home. This will help you monitor your home remotely and thus allow you to have some peace of mind. For instance, you will be able to view your security feeds on your Mac, iPhone, or iPad. In case of anything, you will get real-time alerts and thus act accordingly.
If you have integrated your ADT alarm system with HomeKit, be sure that you will be able to arm or disarm it using Siri. Here, you will have the luxury to configure the alarm the way you please. For instance, you can consider the ‘Home’ and ‘Away’ modes, among others.
Final Words
From the article above, it is evident that you cannot natively connect ADT products with HomeKit. However, you need to utilize a platform such as HOOBS so that you can make the entire integration process successful. Once you follow the steps mentioned above, you will be able to connect your ADT devices with Apple Homekit successfully. After that, you will be able to control all the connected ADT devices using your Apple devices with either a click of a button or a voice command.