The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →To set up an Apple home hub, use a HomePod or HomePod mini—which becomes a hub automatically—or add an Apple TV to a room in the Home app. For remote control, enable Home in iCloud and use the same Apple Account on your iPhone and hub. A hub is also required to add Matter accessories; Thread-enabled Matter devices need a Thread-capable hub.
What an Apple home hub does—and when you need one
A home hub lets you control Home accessories while away, share control with other people, and run automations. Apple’s current setup instructions support HomePod, HomePod mini, and Apple TV as home hubs. You do not need to buy a separate hub if you already have a supported device set up at home.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple - HomePod mini - Yellow | $141.78 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple - HomePod mini - Black | $144.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple - HomePod mini - Orange | $144.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Amazon Echo Dot (newest model) - Vibrant sounding speaker, Designed for Alexa+, Great for bedrooms,... | $79.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple - HomePod mini - Space Gray | $169.99 | Buy on Amazon |
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Apple says a home hub is required to add Matter accessories. If a Matter accessory uses Thread, you also need a Thread-enabled hub. Apple lists HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Ethernet as Thread-enabled options, and also recognizes a supported third-party Thread border router. Not every Apple TV 4K model should be assumed to support Thread. Apple’s Home hub and Matter guidance
Choose a hub that fits your home
| Device | How it becomes a hub | Thread-enabled option? |
|---|---|---|
| HomePod | Becomes a hub automatically when set up. | Not identified as a Thread-enabled hub in Apple’s cited guidance. |
| HomePod mini | Becomes a hub automatically when set up. | Yes. |
| Apple TV | Add it to a room using Settings > AirPlay and Apple Home > Room. | Apple specifically names Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Ethernet. |
Pick based on what you already own, whether your accessories use Thread, and whether you want a speaker or streaming device in that room. Apple’s setup guidance does not establish a universally best hub or compare device prices. Apple Support: Set up your HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV as a home hub
#1 Best Overall
- Rich, 360-Degree Sound – Delivers deep bass and crisp high frequencies for immersive audio in any room.
- Siri Voice Assistant – Control music, smart home devices, and get information hands-free.
- Seamless Apple Integration – Works effortlessly with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV for a connected experience.
- Compact & Stylish Design – Small but powerful, fits perfectly in any space.
- Privacy & Security – Designed to keep your personal information safe and secure.
Set up the hub
HomePod or HomePod mini
Set up the HomePod or HomePod mini in the Home app as directed on your iPhone. Once set up, it automatically becomes a home hub; there is no separate hub switch to enable.
Apple TV
- On Apple TV, open Settings > AirPlay and Apple Home.
- Choose Room and assign the Apple TV to a room in your home.
- Make sure the Apple TV is signed in to the same Apple Account used to manage the home.
Apple’s iPhone guide says Apple TV 4K or HomePod can be set up automatically as a hub when signed in to the same Apple Account as the iPhone. For Apple TV, assigning it to a room is the documented setup path. Apple iPhone User Guide: Control your home remotely with iPhone
Rank #2
- Rich, 360-Degree Sound – Delivers deep bass and crisp high frequencies for immersive audio in any room.
- Siri Voice Assistant – Control music, smart home devices, and get information hands-free.
- Seamless Apple Integration – Works effortlessly with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV for a connected experience.
- Compact & Stylish Design – Small but powerful, fits perfectly in any space.
- Privacy & Security – Designed to keep your personal information safe and secure.
Turn on Home in iCloud for remote access
- On the iPhone used to manage the home, open Settings > [your name] > iCloud > See All.
- Turn on Home.
- Confirm the iPhone and home hub use the same Apple Account.
This account and iCloud setting are important for controlling accessories when you are away from home. Apple iPhone User Guide: Control your home remotely with iPhone
Confirm which hub is active
- Open the Home app.
- Tap More, then Home Settings.
- Open Home Hubs & Bridges.
- Check the hub listed at the top; Apple identifies it as the active hub.
If several eligible hubs are present, Automatic Selection can be turned off so you can choose a preferred hub manually in Home Hubs & Bridges.
Rank #3
- Rich, 360-Degree Sound – Delivers deep bass and crisp high frequencies for immersive audio in any room.
- Siri Voice Assistant – Control music, smart home devices, and get information hands-free.
- Seamless Apple Integration – Works effortlessly with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV for a connected experience.
- Compact & Stylish Design – Small but powerful, fits perfectly in any space.
- Privacy & Security – Designed to keep your personal information safe and secure.
Fix a hub that is missing or reports an error
If Home does not show a hub or says one is required, work through these checks before replacing hardware:
- Make sure the hub is physically at home, powered on, connected to the home Wi-Fi network, and running current software; restart it if needed.
- Verify that iCloud Keychain and two-factor authentication are enabled for the Apple Account.
- Check that the person adding the HomePod or Apple TV is the home owner. Only the owner can add these devices to the Home app as a hub.
- If an Apple TV cannot be added to a room, check that the correct person is selected as its Default User.
Apple states that iPad is not supported as a home hub on the latest version of Apple Home. Apple Support: If you see a ‘Software Update Required’ or a ‘Home Hub Required’ error message on your iPhone or iPad
Rank #4
- Your favorite music and content – Play music, audiobooks, and podcasts from Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify and others or via Bluetooth throughout your home.
- Alexa is happy to help – Ask Alexa for weather updates and to set hands-free timers, get answers to your questions and even hear jokes. Need a few extra minutes in the morning? Just tap your Echo Dot to snooze your alarm.
- Keep your home comfortable – Control compatible smart home devices with your voice and routines triggered by built-in motion or indoor temperature sensors. Create routines to automatically turn on lights when you walk into a room, or start a fan if the inside temperature goes above your comfort zone.
- Do more with device pairing – Fill your home with music using compatible Echo devices in different rooms, or create a home theatre system with Fire TV.
- Say goodbye to drop-offs and buffering - With eero Built-in, Echo Dot doubles as a mesh wifi extender, adding up to 1,000 sq. ft. of wifi coverage to your existing eero network.
Can a HomePod also control Apple TV?
HomePod can control an Apple TV 4K using Siri for supported functions when the devices are configured for the same home. This is separate from the basic steps for setting up a home hub. Apple Support: Control your home and Apple TV 4K using HomePod
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Rich, 360-Degree Sound – Delivers deep bass and crisp high frequencies for immersive audio in any room.
- Siri Voice Assistant – Control music, smart home devices, and get information hands-free.
- Seamless Apple Integration – Works effortlessly with iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple TV for a connected experience.
- Compact & Stylish Design – Small but powerful, fits perfectly in any space.
- Privacy & Security – Designed to keep your personal information safe and secure.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
