Don’t wait until it’s too late!

Sponsored by Bark
Start your 7 day free trial today and keep your kids safe online:

Don't wait until it's too late! Learn how to backup and restore your HomeKit smart home so that you are prepared in case you ever need it.

I will show you the whole process, and even delete my HomeKit home so that I can restore it from a backup. There are some limitations to be aware of, noted in the video. The two apps used are both paid, 3rd party HomeKit apps (linked below in Resources).

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
RESOURCES
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Products Seen in Video:

NOTE: This description contains affiliate links that allow you to find the items mentioned in this video at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SUPPORT THE CHANNEL
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

🔔 Subscribe for New HomeKit videos EVERY Sunday:

❤️ Join! Become a channel member. Get perks!

👕 Merch!

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
SOCIAL
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
🎥 RECOMMENDED
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

▶ HomeKit 101 Playlist: Getting Started

▶ Custom HomeKit Notifications (Controller for HomeKit app)

▶ NEW Apple Home Architecture

▶ Before you upgrade to Matter, watch this...

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
CHAPTERS
::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

0:00 Chapters
1:03 Why Backup?
1:30 Apps Needed
2:40 Overview
4:00 Before You Backup
4:40 Save Your Setup Codes
6:03 Backup Limitations
9:31 Creating Backups (Controller App)
11:08 Deleting my HomeKit Home
12:10 Bark - Sponsor
13:15 Restore From Backup
17:48 Creating Backups (Home+ App)
19:17 Final Thoughts

::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

#HomeKit #SmartHome #AppleHome

[Ibaksab]

Thanks Shane, can you speak about workflow that is in the app? thanks

[Appmyhome]

You bring up a broader issue with the Smart Home, not just with HomeKit. Most, though not all, do not have a way to backup and restore. They also don''t have much from a debug capability. Having to re install a device is insane. As more folks get more gear this will become an issue I believe they will need to address. So maybe the geeks aren't as worried but the general user will.

[TorinTPG]

Oh man. Can’t wait to watch this one. I lost my entire setup about a year ago and it sucked. I was looking for an option.

[moniquem]

Wow that has so much potential. Maybe I can utilise it to set up the beginnings of my next smart home before I move, so once I add accessories on moving day I'm up and running so much faster. I would need to make sure I didn't mix up the bulbs into different rooms or anything so would need a really good way of labelling them clearly, but it could potentialy save me hours. Might have to give it a go. If it fails I'm no worse off than the current plan which was delete this home and start a new home from scratch. Downloading the app now. Thanks Shane. Your videos are such a huge help!

[cnyphotovideo]

I agree with several other comments. There is no reason that the Apple corporation does not have back ups natively in the software. In my opinion, they have been dropping the ball on software in a few areas lately. Get it together, Apple!

[gregghayes]

Shane, the controller app is awesome and I love that they have this back up feature plus the maintenance feature that shows you all the things that could be problematic. I wish Apple did not impose so many limitations on third-party developers so that things like backing up automations can Only work if we use scenes and not individual devices. The controller folks have done a whole lot to make it do everything that they have access to. 20:32

[uniqueflh]

Great video again Shane! Very useful info.
- I think it may be worth mentioning...The Controller for HomeKit App allows you to Export and Print a .PDF version of any HomeKit Codes you add to the App.
If you have the document printed, you have access to all of your Codes (and scannable QRs if that was your logging method) - so you don't have to go around the house scanning Codes...you can do it all from your desk or couch. :)
It makes things super convenient.

Thanks, as always, for your content!

[christianhotter]

I need to do this. I may have messes some things up by turning the beta updates on and off for the Apple TV and HomePods.

[raywalters]

SHANE - been following your YouTube channel for SmartHome - specifically for Apple HomeKit. New to HomeKit and have the lates version of AppleTV to use as my Hub. Unfortunately. having issues with my new Schlage Encode+ not finding the Hub or vice-versa. I was able to setup a house and the device on my iphone but not sure how to transfer that profile to appear in the Hub, I have several other devices to add but want them all in the same house, any input on this would be appreciated

[DreadyDreadlocks]

This is dope. I thought Home was backed up to iCloud? So what does Home app use iCloud for? I have it enabled.

[lthomas]

Very informative video. Thank you Shane! Definitely going to make me rethink setting up my automations as scenes.

[marktime]

When iPhone backs up to icloud (automatic) does this not include Home settings? Has anyone checked/tested?

[orangechen]

thank you for sharing, the ipad stand and case look good, thinking of getting set.

[rytje]

Perfect again! I used to use home+5/6 but the updates are a lot less, I have had some automation fail since IOS16. So I will start using the controller app I think. App updates are more frequent as well.

[felipehiebert]

Hey Shane!
Love your channel, so much great information. I spent a lot of money into my smart home already and love it. I live for that kind of thing, I have a lot of aqara products and love them, however their app is no longer on Google Play do you know what's happening to them?

[Polkster]

This is great information and everyone should have a plan in place in the event that they have to rebuild their smart home setup.

[phillipwilliams]

Sorry this is a little off topic but I am trying to get your opinion on what is the best outdoor camera for homekit?

[tedallen]

Hi Shane. Thanks for the great info as always. Do you happen to know of any HomeKit light/ceiling fan switches that offer independent on/off and speed control of both the fan and light fixture in a single gang configuration? I know Aqara has a a double rocker single gang switch in both neutral and no neutral wire configurations, but it doesn’t have dimmer or speed control on the rockers. All of my current smart switches are Lutron Caseta (original). I don’t see any double rocker option from Lutron at all in either the original line or the new Lutron Caseta Diva switches. Thanks for any input you provide!

[islandsnow]

Can you schedule backups automatically with either app?

Can you do a head to head comparison between the controller app and home+ app? The controller app seems to cost a lot more so wondering if it’s worth it for its robustness

[sfchipster]

Hey Shane. Great video as always. My question is as follows. So I’ll define an automation as 2 parts. One part structure (name, activation time, when I’m home, etc etc) and the other part the devices that are controlled when this triggers. So when you have an automation with individual devices as opposed to scenes and it is restored, is the “structure” of the automation restored with the absence of devices or does it not even restore any part of the automation meaning no “structure” and no devices? Hope that makes sense. Thanks!