Get Started with Apple Smart Home in 2025 - Complete Guide for Beginners

Get started with your Apple HomeKit today! Here's a step--by-step walkthrough on how to set up your Apple Smart Home using a HomePod mini, adding your first smart plug, and even automating devices with contact and motion sensors. I’ll explain important terms like Matter and Thread, plus, recommend accessories to expand your smart home experience. ⭐️ Watch My Full Smart Home Tour https://youtu.be/0y90HOsHp2o?si=unSqF_TxhC6tPtEm 📲 Devices Shown in Video HomeKit Smart Plug https://geni.us/fyXc Aqara Matter Contact Sensor https://geni.us/R8hNz Philips Hue Hub https://geni.us/CW9iP0 Philips Hue Motion Sensor https://geni.us/nGwEF Table Lamp https://geni.us/O0eozn7 HomePod mini (Best Buy) https://geni.us/5MLAvs 🏠 Full List of My Smart Home Devices https://beard.fm/homekit 📺 Smart Home Playlist https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCnyeuWW0bgZSWUi-IZwVKT_Mk3koBnuq&si=aodespKhoGDJoNeg 🎙️ Watch my tech podcast, Primary Technology: https://www.youtube.com/@PrimaryTechShow ⭐️ Join the Shortcuts and tech community! Access my Shortcuts database, priority Shortcuts requests, LIVE streams, and more benefits: https://create.beard.fm ⭐️ Try Riverside today, it's what I use to record all my podcasts! https://beard.fm/riverside 💻 Final Cut Plugins and Effects from MotionVFX https://mvfx.co/StephenRobles 📲 Follow me on: Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/stephenrobles.com Threads: https://threads.net/@stephenrobles Instagram: https://instagram.com/stephenrobles Chapters ➡ 00:00 Introduction 00:27 Using HomePod or Apple TV 01:20 Setting Up Home App 02:52 Adding Your First Smart Plug 04:45 Controlling a Light with HomeKit 05:17 Change Device Settings 06:05 Create Your First Automation 07:52 Door and Contact Sensors 10:42 Where to Find Door Status 11:54 Door Open Automation 14:43 Control Home via Siri 15:27 Control Home via Widgets 16:38 Motion Sensors and Automations 17:52 Control Home via Apple Watch 18:12 HomePod Automations 19:06 Create Your First Scene 20:12 HomePass to Save Codes 21:51 What is Matter and Thread? 23:36 Lutron, Hue, Aqara, and Hubs 🛒 My Film Gear: Sony A7 IV (Main Camera) https://geni.us/PA1Qd (Amazon) Sigma 35mm (Main Lens) https://geni.us/YqQpgtx (Amazon) Sennhesier MKH416 (Video Mic) https://geni.us/VxF1g (Amazon) Aputure Amaran 200x (Key Light) https://geni.us/2KY3GV (Amazon) Light Dome III (Soft Box) https://geni.us/Rt08x (Amazon) Earthworks Ethos (Podcast Mic) https://geni.us/X7xC (Amazon) Podcast Mic Arm https://geni.us/5ydF0HM (Amazon) Sony a6400 (Top Down Camera) https://geni.us/VOyRX (Amazon) Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 (Top Down Lens) https://geni.us/lkuYqbH (Amazon) Elgato Key Light Air (Fill and Hair Lights) https://geni.us/UetzsS (Amazon) ATEM Mini Pro (My Switcher) https://geni.us/Dgiymx2 (Amazon) Rodecaster PRO II (Powers All Mics) https://geni.us/uMHZGgi (Amazon) Sound Devices MixPre-3 (Travel Sound Gear) https://geni.us/Nb6A4zo (Amazon) DISCLAIMER: I participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Other links to third-party products and services may also be affiliate links.