HomeKit Accessories
Important Notice
Because continuous adjustments and improvements are made. It is important that you use the latest versions. So download the latest version of Life Cycle Manager here before you start one of the projects below.
LATEST RELEASE
File name: otaboot.bin
Version: 2.2.5
Release date: 15 April 2022
Change log:
– Updated certificates to be identical across all versions
– Contains DigiCertGlobalRootCA and DigiCertHighAssuranceEVRootCA
– EC support put back in place
– Flow diagram still not updated
File name: rboot.bin
Version: 1.4.2
File name: blank_config.bin
Version: 1.4.2
- ESP HomeKit SDK – Full InstallationOkay this was also next level for me! I had absolutely no experience with compiling c code to binary files. But that makes it so attractive for me to jump into the deep and see how far I get. I have to admit that it took me a lot of time. Eventually it also succeeded …
- ESP HomeKit SDK – Revised InstallationAfter a while all software will be updated or there will be some bug fix releases. So does the software that is needed for the Installation (or setup) of the HomeKit SDK (including perquisites and updates), is the act of making the program ready for execution. Because the process varies for each program and each computer, …
- ESP HomeKit SDK – Ubuntu On VirtualboxAs I’m working on the ESP HomeKit project’s I needed a machine that was running Linux. Because my MacBook Pro did not support the needed software to compile the necessary binary files. So had come up with a solution. Oracle VM VirtualBox is a free package that provides me with the needed solution. It can …
- ESP HomeKit SDK – On a Raspberry Pi Zero WThe first question that probably comes to your mind is “What?, Why?” when you read this headline: ESP HomeKit SDK – On a Raspberry Pi Zero W. Well I tell you why. While I was waiting for some stuff from Aliexpress I had noting else to do. I seems that I would not receive my …
- ESP HomeKit SDK – QR CodeNow that I have the ESP HomeKit SDK up and running its time to add a cool feature. A QR Code Just like the official HomeKit products have. Once you have your iOS device and your HomeKit hardware, you’ll need to add it to your Home app. To do that, you’ll be asked to enter …
- ESP HomeKit SDK – Reset HomeKit DeviceFor those who follow my blog know that I have been working with ESP HomeKit for a while. To make new accessories I have to regularly re-flash my ESP modules. Especially when debugging the code, it often happens that I have to re-flash the firmware again. But here lies some troubles, When you didn’t removed …
- ESP32 – HomeKit LEDAfter writing quite a few blogs about ESP8266 in combination with HomeKit SDK, it is now time to look at the ESP32. The ESP32 and actually the ESP32-C3 is the upcoming replacement for the ESP8266. That’s why I’m going to show you how to migrate from the ESP8266 to the ESP32 series. We start simply …
- ESP32 – HomeKit QR-codeNeed to add a HomeKit device you build, but don’t have the QR code? HomeKit-enabled accessories come with a specific QR code and an 8-digit number for the setup process. In this blog, I will show you how to create your HomeKit QR Code and how to add extra security options. HomeKit QR Code First, …
- ESP32 CAM – TroubleshootingAfter releasing my project the ESP32 – Homekit Camera, some readers reported issues when trying to use the ESP32-CAM. This blog is a compilation with the most common errors when using the ESP32-CAM and how to fix them. Some of our readers reported errors when trying to follow the ESP32 – Homekit Camera Project. There are …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Code AnalysisNow that I made a few examples of the HomeKit accessories, It’s time for some in depth HomeKit Code Analysis. For this analysis I took the LED example from the HomeKit Demo library witch I used in my first blog here to demonstrate how it works. First I start with cutting up the code and …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Essentials LightstripThis Project is Featured on instructables! I have already written several blogs about ESP HomeKit. For the more experienced makers, this is not a problem. But for starters or starting makers or hobbyists it may not be so easy. That’s why in this blog I’m going to make a LED strip using 3 “standard” modules. …
- ESP8266 – LifeCycle Manager TroubleAs of this weekend I encountered some trouble with LCM (LifeCycle Manager). After contacting the the maker (HacK a.k.a. HomeACcessoryKid) of LifeCycle Manager, it turns out there is very small issue but the consequences are big, it’s an issues that has to be solved! For whom that reeds my blog regularly know that I use …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Accessory PairingAfter making a lot of ESP8266 HomeKit samples, it might be time to explain how to add more than one accessory to HomeKit. Take the ESP8285 – Power Plug for example. Suppose I want to add more than one power plug, how do you do that? I will explain hot to do multiple HomeKit Accessory …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Air Quality SensorIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Blind SensorIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit BlindsI have been working on my HomeKit projects for quite some time now, but this project has given me some restless nights. I’m talking about the HomeKit blinds. in the past I have tried several times to solve practical as well as code related problems. But now I have a working solution. But lets start …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Blinds Contact SensorKnow the status of your blinds. Simple and easy to install with no tools required, The ESP8266 – HomeKit blinds Contact Sensor combines simple technology with everyday peace of mind. And even better, it can control other HomeKit accessories in your home when blinds are opened or closed. ESP8266 – HomeKit Blinds Contact Sensor Refine …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit ButtonIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Contact SensorIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Contact SensorKnow the status of something you can open or close. Simple and easy to install with no tools required, The ESP8266 – HomeKit Window Contact Sensor combines simple technology with everyday peace of mind. And even better, it can control other HomeKit accessories in your home when doors or windows are opened or closed. ESP8266 …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Door Contact SensorKnow the status of your door. Simple and easy to install with no tools required, The ESP8266 – HomeKit Door Contact Sensor combines simple technology with everyday peace of mind. And even better, it can control other HomeKit accessories in your home when doors or windows are opened or closed. ESP8266 – HomeKit Door Contact …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Door SensorIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Dual LampsIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Fan SwitchIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Firmware Update with EVEWhen you have created your first HomeKit accessory. Then you probably want to debug your code or change something, but then you need to erase ESP module and re-flash it. This has to be easier. For whom that ready my blog regularly know that I always start with installing LCM (Life Cycle Manager). This tool …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Fountain lightMy wife has always wanted to have a water ornament in the garden. To her pleasure my father-in-law wanted to remove his and we were allowed to have it. After a thorough cleaning, the Fountain light turned out to work only partially. Half of the Fountain light LED’s no longer worked. Upon which my wife …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Garage Door Contact SensorKnow the status of your Garage door. Simple and easy to install with no tools required, The ESP8266 – HomeKit Garage door. Contact Sensor combines simple technology with everyday peace of mind. And even better, it can control other HomeKit accessories in your home when doors or windows are opened or closed. ESP8266 – HomeKit …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Garage Door SensorIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Light SensorIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Light SwitchIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – Homekit LockIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Motion SensorIn my previous blog here, I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I’m going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog, I will address another accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a bridge. …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit NeoPixel Light StripIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit NeoPixel Light Strip EXIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP8266 – HomeKit NeoPixel Light Strip. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit NeoPixel RGBW Light StripIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP 8266 – HomeKit NeoPixel Light Strip. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Power OutletIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit SecurityOne of the most important features of the ESP HomeKit project is security. Because it is open source, you can see that no data from you is being recorded anywhere or anything like that. Of course because you program the code yourself, you can decide what happens and not another large company that collects your …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Set up: Manual for new usersHave you just created your first HomeKit accessory? Then we help you set up all the functions that HomeKit offers, such as assigning Siri names and classifying rooms and zones. In this HomeKit manual you will find step by step how to set up HomeKit. HomeKit is a function of your iOS device that allows …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit SwitchIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Temperature & Humidity SensorIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit ThermostatIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Window Contact SensorKnow the status of your window. Simple and easy to install with no tools required, The ESP8266 – HomeKit Window Contact Sensor combines simple technology with everyday peace of mind. And even better, it can control other HomeKit accessories in your home when doors or windows are opened or closed. ESP8266 – HomeKit Window Contact …
- ESP8266 – HomeKit Window SensorIn my previous blog here I tested the ESP HomeKit Software Development Kit. I am so enthusiastic about this Software Development Kit, that I going to write a few blogs about this genius software. In each Blog I will address a other accessory that you can add to your HomeKit without the need of a …
- ESP8266 – LifeCycle Manager 2In the past I introduced you to LifeCycle manager to manage you Firmware you made for your ESP8266 HomeKit accessories. Then I encountered some trouble with LCM (LifeCycle Manager). After contacting the the maker (HacK a.k.a. HomeACcessoryKid) of LifeCycle Manager, it turns out there is very small issue but the consequences are big, it’s an issues …
- ESP8266 – LifeCycle Manager 2.1.2While LifeCycle manager has seen several issues in the past and last week (first week of February 2021), these are now all solved. BUT, if you are stuck with a LifeCycle manager V1.0.0, then you have only till 31 March 2021 to upgrade. I introduced you to LifeCycle manager 2 to manage your Firmware you made for your …
- ESP8266 – LifeCycle Manager Trouble UpdateAs a week has passed a lot has happened. (HacK a.k.a. HomeACcessoryKid) maker of LifeCycle Manager has done a lot of work trying to solve the issue. Unfortunately until now there isn’t a solution, as we can read on his Git. OUTAGE caused by GitHub change of HTTP headers Yes, it really really doesn’t work …
- ESP8266 HomeKit – Garden LightIn my previous blog I made a ESP8266 – HomeKit Fountain light. Now it’s time to expand this with some Garden lights. A few years ago I bought two garden lamps from the Ikea in an impulse purchase. I have never used these garden lamps and were lying on the shelf as a “future project”. …
- ESP8266 HomeKit – Battery StatusSlowly but surely I am looking at the extensions of the “standard” ESP HomeKit accessories, how to implement them. Now I am working on the Battery status. We need some circuit which can effectively measure voltage. Battery monitoring circuit is a traditional voltage divider circuit. I am going to measure 3.7 volt (lithium Polymer) battery. …
- ESP8285 – Power PlugRecently I walked through the Action and saw an assortment of smart home products here. My attention was drawn to the wifi logo on the box. I decided to take a Power Plug with me to investigate it further. Power plug The power plug is from the brand LSC which is again part of …
- ESP8684 – ESPC2-02 PinoutESPC2-02 Wi-Fi and BLE coexistence Module is a highly integrated single-chip low power 802.11bgn Wireless LAN (WLAN) network controller. It combines a RISC CPU, WLAN MAC, a 1T1R capable WLAN baseband, RF, and Bluetooth in a single chip. It also provides a bunch of configurable GPIO, which are configured as digital peripherals for different applications …
- ESP8684 – PinoutSince Espressif Systems arrived in our collective consciousness, they have expanded their range from the ESP8266 to the ESP32, and going beyond the original WROOM and WROVER modules to a range of further ESP32 products. There’s a single-core variant and one that packs a RISC-V core in place of the Tensilica one, and now they’ve …
- Happy New Year 2022Year 2021 will go down in history as one of the worst in recent memory. It has been pretty eventful, to put it lightly. With the pandemic being the dominant problem, punctuated by a lot of calamities, the year felt like it came by fast and slow at the same time. For most of us, …
- HomeBridge – WirelessBefore you can install HomeBridge on a Raspberry Pi Zero W, you must first provide it with Raspbian OS. How to install your Raspberry Pi Zero W, you can read in one of my previous blogs here. Now that you have a Raspberry Pi Zero W running on Raspbian OS, well configured and connected to your …
- HomeKit – MatterMatter, previously project CHIP, is the new foundation for connected things. Guided by the Connectivity Standards Alliance, and developed through collaboration amongst all the leaders of the IoT industry, Matter focuses on building connected devices that are secure, reliable, and importantly, seamless to use. Espressif has been a part of the Matter initiative since early days, …
- HomeKit – ThreadThread is a new, energy-efficient networking technology found on the HomePod mini and Apple TV 4K (2021). Products from Nanoleaf, Eve and other manufacturers have also increasingly been made suitable for thread. What is it, and what can you do with it? You can read that here. What is Thread? Thread is an IP-based network …
- HomeKit Accessory Protocol SpecificationWhen I’m coding a new ESP-HomeKit accessory I use the free HomeKit Accessory Protocol Specification (Non-Commercial Version) form Apple. To see how to use the characteristics and what type of options there are for a specific type of accessory. All you need or want to know can be found in this protocol. Overview HomeKit …
- Matter | DevelopmentWe are on the eve of a lot of changes in the field of Home Smart accessories. Despite the fact that a lot still needs to be done, we take a dive into the deep end. We are going to make our first Matter accessories. Although it is still in development, this is the time …
- RTOS servo motor LibraryFor an upcoming project I need a Library for a Tower Pro™ servo motor 9G (SG90). Since this is a project for HomeKit, it must work under ESP Open RTOS. Because I couldn’t find a suitable library, I decided to make one myself. Tower Pro™ Micro servo S9 (SG90) Let’s take a look at the …

HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP) is Apple’s proprietary protocol that enables third-party accessories in the home (e.g., lights, thermostats and door locks) and Apple products to communicate with each other. HAP supports two transports, IP and Bluetooth LE. The information provided in the HomeKit Accessory Protocol Specification (Non-Commercial Version) describes how to implement HAP in an accessory that you create for non-commercial use and that will not be distributed or sold.
The HomeKit Accessory Protocol Specification (Non-Commercial Version) can be downloaded from the HomeKit Apple Developer page.
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