What It Controls

Once set up as a HomeKit Hub, your Apple TV gives you remote and local automation control over:

• Smart locks (e.g., August, Schlage Encode Plus)

• Smart lighting (e.g., Philips Hue, Nanoleaf)

• Sensors (e.g., Eve Motion, Aqara)

• Thermostats (e.g., Ecobee, Honeywell)

• Cameras (e.g., Logitech Circle View, Eve Outdoor Cam)

• Smart plugs and switches (e.g., Eve Energy, Wemo)

And all of it is accessible:

• Via Siri voice commands

• Through the Apple Home app

• Using Scenes and Automations

• Or directly on-screen with camera monitoring via tvOS

Ideal Use Cases: Who Benefits from Using Apple TV as a Home Hub?

1. Privacy-First Households

You don’t want microphones in every room? Apple TV becomes your smart home brain—with no speaker or mic listening 24/7.

2. Media + Automation Fans

Enjoy Apple Fitness+, Apple Music, or Netflix while controlling the thermostat, dimming lights, or locking the door without reaching for your phone.

3. Small Homes or Apartments

If you live in a condo or apartment, Apple TV can manage everything without adding another device on the shelf.

4. Parents Monitoring Kids or Seniors

Use Apple TV to view live camera feeds from the living room or den. Instantly check who’s at the front door or whether Grandma is safe.

5. Minimalist Smart Home Builders

Already have an Apple TV? You don’t need to buy a HomePod mini—just unlock its full potential by enabling HomeKit Hub functionality.

How It Works with HomeKit and Thread

Once Apple TV is registered as a Home Hub:

• HomeKit scenes run even if your phone is off
• You gain remote access to your smart home while away
• Home automations become locally processed, not cloud-dependent
• With the newer Apple TV 4K (2021+), you unlock Thread support—faster, more reliable communication for compatible accessories
• You also become Matter-ready, future-proofing your setup

Comparison Chart: Apple TV vs. Other Smart Home Hubs

Setup Instructions for Smart Home Use

1. Plug in Apple TV and sign in with your Apple ID

2. Open the Apple Home app on your iPhone or iPad

3. Go to “Home Settings” > “Home Hubs & Bridges”

4. Verify Apple TV is listed and marked as “Connected”

5. Enable two-factor authentication and iCloud Keychain

6. Add HomeKit devices and create Scenes in the Home app

Now your Apple TV is your HomeKit hub—no extra hardware required.

Real User Reviews (Adapted from Verified Amazon & Apple Store Buyers)

• “I had no idea my Apple TV could be used like this. It’s so much more than a streaming box.”

• “I use it to monitor my front camera feed on-screen and control lights while watching movies. Love it.”

• “Perfect if you don’t want a smart speaker in every room but still want HomeKit to work smoothly.”

• “With Thread and Matter support, this thing is shockingly powerful.”

• “I used to use my iPad as a Home Hub—this is 10x better and doesn’t rely on the screen being on.”

Tracey’s Expert Verdict

“The Apple TV 4K is an elegant, hidden powerhouse. In corporate IoT deployments, we’ve seen the value of passive hubs—systems that do their job silently in the background. Apple TV does exactly that for the home. It’s perfect for people who want the automation, but not the visible device.”

“For Apple users already using an iPhone and Apple Music, this is the smart hub you didn’t know you already owned.”

Can Apple TV control smart devices directly?

Yes—but only as a Home Hub. You set up and control your devices via the Apple Home app on iPhone, iPad, or Mac.

Does Apple TV need to be always on?

Yes. It must be plugged in and connected to the internet to function as your Home Hub.

Can I use both Apple TV and HomePod mini?

Yes. You can have multiple hubs. HomeKit automatically selects the best one based on your network.

Does Apple TV have a microphone or speaker?

No built-in mic or speaker—ideal for privacy-conscious users.

Which version of Apple TV supports Thread?

Only Apple TV 4K 2nd gen (2021) and later support Thread and Matter.