How to Control a TP-Link Smart Bulb (Or Any Smart Home Device) With Siri?
WhileTP-Link products are compatible with Alexa, and Google Assistant, we stillcan’t use it with Siri. EnterHomebridge; anopen-source node.JS serverthat integrates Smart devices to the Home app. It is a lightweight server that can be set up on Windows, macOS, Linux, Docker, and even on aRaspberry Pi zero. I had a Raspberry Pi 4 lying around so I’ll use that instead.
Things You’ll Need
Step 1. Install Homebridge on a Raspberry Pi
The first step is getting the Homebridge server up and running on your Raspberry Pi. It will act as the mediator between the incompatible TP-Link bulb and the native Home App.
Installing Homebridge is fairly simple, visit thisGithub pageand follow the step-by-step commands to install it on your Raspberry Pi. Just make sure youinstall Homebridge with UI Xsupport. UI X is a GUI for your Homebridge server that allows you to monitor devices, install plugins and change settings.
Step 2. Access the Homebridge Interface
Once you have the Homebridge server up and running on your Raspberry Pi, you can access it from any device on your home network. Open the Terminal on your Raspberry Pi and run the command “hostname -I” tofind out your IP address. Note it down somewhere as it is the address of the Homebridge Server interface.
Nowopen a web browseron your Raspberry Pi and enter http://YOUR-IP-ADDRESS:8080/. You should see a webpage with a login interface. The default login and password are admin and admin respectively that you can change afterward.
Replace YOUR-IP-ADDRESS with the IP address you retrieved in the previous step.
Step 3. Install TP-Link Plugin
In order for Homebridge to detect the TP-Link device connected to the home network, we’llinstall a TP-Link Plugin. This Plugin supports the majority of the TP-Link smart home products including LB100 but you canvisit the webpage to checkif your device is included in the list.
Open the Homebridge Interface on your web browser andgo to Plugins.Type TP-Linkandclick Install.
Now, we willupdate the Config.JSON file.Click the Config tabon the webpage andpaste the following commandto the Homebridge Config Editor as shown in the image below andClick Save.
Once done,Restart your Raspberry Piand while it does, proceed to the next step.
Step 4. Install the Kasa App
The Homebridge is now ready, we just need to add the TP-Link bulb to the network. To do this, we’ll have to configure the device using theKasa by TP-Linkapp. It manages all the smart devices made by TP-Link.Install the Kasa Smart appon your iPhone from theApp Storeand log in to your account. If you don’t have an account, you’re able to easily create one by signing up.
Once you have the account set up,add the TP-Link bulb to the appby tapping the + button on the top right. Enter the model number, tap the relevant icon andfollow the on-screen instructions to set up the bulb on your home network.
The TP-Link device should now be visible in the Homebridge interface. Open the Homebridge interface on Raspberry Pi andclick the Accessories tab.
Step 5. Add Homebridge to Home App
Now, we’ll connect the Homebridge server running on your Raspberry Pi to the Home app on your iPhone. Open the Homebridge interface on a web browser, you should see a QR code on the Status page of the server.
Open the Home app on your iPhone and tapAdd Accessory.Scan the QR codeby pointing the Camera app on your iPhone. It may show a warning “Uncertified Accessory”,tap “Add Anyway” to proceed.
Your TP-Link device should automatically show up on the Home app and you can simplytap the icon to cycle the powerand long press to reveal additional settings.
You can also ask Siri to turn it on and off for you. Give it a try.“Hey Siri, can you turn on the lamp please”
Final Words
Well, that’s all you need to do to control your incompatible smart devices with Siri. If you face any problem while configuring the Homebridge server or while installing the Plugins, you can reach out to me on Twitter and we can look for a solution together. What are you going to connect with Homebridge and control with Siri, let me know in the comments below?
Works as an in-house Writer at TechWiser and focuses on the latest smart consumer electronics. Closely follows the latest trends in consumer IoT and how it affects our daily lives. You can follow him on Twitter. Yes, he sometimes speaks in Third Person.
