How to add Ecobee to HomeKit? When you are an Apple fan and have just acquired an Ecobee thermostat, you might wonder how to integrate both systems.
It turns out that it is usually easy!
Adding Ecobee to HomeKit only requires that the device is compatible. After that, you can add Ecobee via the Ecobee app or the Apple Home app. If the device is not readily compatible, you must use Homebridge/HOOBS to create a bridge between the environments.
Now that you know it is possible to connect the systems, you must want to learn all the steps to do so.
Also, we’ve mentioned compatibility, so you also must check that. Fortunately, we’ve covered all you must know in the guide below.
It is separated into topics so you can easily find the information you want.
How To Add Ecobee To Homekit? – All The Methods
Have you just acquired an Ecobee thermostat and are looking for ways to connect it to Homekit?
You are in luck because connecting Ecobee to Homekit is a breeze.
As you might already know, finding natively compatible devices with Homekit is like gambling.
Many brands are not readily compatible, requiring you to install some software such as Homebridge or Scrypted.
How to add an Ecobee thermostat to Homekit? Fortunately, Ecobee is natively compatible! That means you don’t need any software to act as a bridge between frameworks.
Moreover, there are plenty of official methods to connect your Ecobee to your Homekit. We will teach all of them in this guide.
That way, you can choose the one that feels more convenient.
Step #1: Check That Your Ecobee Is HomeKit-Enabled
Most Ecobee devices are readily compatible with HomeKit, but not all of them!
The difference is subtle: while a HomeKit-ready thermostat will connect easily via the Ecobee app or Home app, a non-compatible one can't use those methods.
Fortunately, Ecobee is aware of the compatibility, and we can share with you which models are HomeKit-ready:
- ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium (includes built-in Siri)1
- ecobee Smart Thermostat Enhanced
- ecobee SmartCamera with voice control
- ecobee SmartThermostat with voice control (includes built-in Siri)1
- ecobee4
- ecobee3 Lite
- ecobee 3 (only EB-STATe3-02 and EBSTATec-02)
If your device is not on the list above, you can’t connect directly. You can still connect, but you will have to use Homebridge.
Step #2: Check Network Settings
Connecting your Ecobee to HomeKit requires that your thermostat and your phone (or another device you use to connect) are in the same network.
Nowadays, some phones can connect to 5GHz, but smart devices such as thermostats can’t!
That means you must connect your phone to the 2.4GHz frequency generated by your router.
Ensuring both devices are on the same network is necessary for all the connection methods we will teach.
Step #3: Update Firmware
First, check that you are running the latest firmware on Ecobee. Outdated firmware will probably prevent you from connecting successfully.
So here is how you check the firmware and update it if necessary:
- Open the Ecobee app
- Tap the menu icon
- Select “Device”
- Choose your thermostat
- Click on “Check for updates.”
If an update is available, you can choose it for installation. If none is, the device is up-to-date and ready to connect with HomeKit.
Step #4: Learn How To Find The QR Code
Usually, setting up your Ecobee thermostat within the HomeKit environment requires you to scan a QR code on the device.
Some thermostats will show the QR code automatically. Others will not.
The models that don’t show it automatically are the Smart Thermostat Premium and Smart Thermostat Enhanced.
When setting them up with HomeKit, you must do the following:
- Tap the menu icon on the thermostat
- Tap the Gear icon
- Select Settings
- Choose HomeKit
- Allow to Enable HomeKit pairing
The procedure will reveal the QR code needed to pair with HomeKit.
The other thermostats will show that QR code while you proceed with the pairing steps in the details of the methods below.
Step #5: Choose The Most Convenient Method
There are three main methods to connect your Ecobee to HomeKit when it is readily compatible.
On the other hand, if it is not readily compatible, you can also connect using HOOBS.
We will cover that in Method #4.
Method #1: Use The Ecobee App
Using the dedicated app of a device to connect to Homekit is exclusive for brands that are 100% compatible with Apple Home.
That is the case with Ecobee! It makes things very easy and quick.
Here is how you can proceed:
- Open the app
- Tap the menu icon
- Go to Settings
- Now choose Integrations
- Select Apple HomeKit
- Scan the HomeKit code or enter the 8-digit code
Suppose you want to disconnect the Ecobee thermostat because of a malfunction or because you are handing it over.
Then all you have to do is follow the steps above again, and when you select Apple HomeKit, choose the option “Disconnect”.
Method #2: Use The Home App
As you can see, there are two methods involving the use of an app. Also, both methods use different apps!
If you don’t want to use the Ecobee app, you can use Apple’s Home App. That way, the connection with HomeKit is granted even more seamlessly.
It is a great option if you want full integration between Ecobee and HomeKit.
Plus, you will have only one app to manage if you have a lot of smart devices in your house.
Here is how you can integrate an Ecobee device into the Home App:
- Open the Home app
- Click on the “Add Accessory” option
- Locate the QR code on your Ecobee device
- Scan it
- Follow the prompts
- Done!
Next, when you want to access the device through the app, you must go to the “My Accessories” section.
To control the thermostat on the Home app, you can choose any functions displayed on the app or even ask Siri.
Yes, the Home app integrates Ecobee and Siri too!
Tip: Check if your thermostat is HomeKit-enabled. Since the QR code or 8-digit code is required, look for that on the device.
Method #3: Automatic Discovery
Yet another convenient way of connecting Ecobee and HomeKit is the automatic discovery mode.
As the name suggests, it will automatically find your device. However, the device must be on the same network as your phone.
Automatic discovery skips a few steps and makes everything quicker on your end.
Here is how it works:
- Open the Home app
- Tap the “+” button
- Choose “Add Accessory”
- Click “I Don’t Have a Code or Can’t Scan”
- Now “Start Automatic Discovery”
- HomeKit will find the Ecobee thermostat
- Give a name to the device
- Assign it to a room
See how easy it is? After that, you can control your Ecobee device via the Home app and Siri.
Method #4: Use HOOBS
Homebridge is famous because it allows you to connect many devices to the HomeKit environment.
If you use any hub to connect your car to HomeKit, it is probably Homebridge-powered!
HOOBS is a friendly version of Homebridge. Because of that, we suggest you use HOOBS if you have an ecobee3 that is not readily compatible with HomeKit.
You will need a MacBook for this method. Here is how to proceed:
- Head to the HOOBS site and install it
- Type the IP address of your device on a web browser
- Click on “Plugins”
- Find the ecobee3 plugin
- Install it
- Enter your Ecobee credentials
HOOBS will translate the ecobee3 frequency in a way that Apple HomeKit recognizes.
After the installation is successful, you should be able to open the Home app and find your device there.
What We Learned
How to add Ecobee to HomeKit? Most Ecobee thermostats are readily compatible with HomeKit.
All you have to do is start the setting up and scan the QR code.
Only a few models are incompatible, but you can work around that by installing Homebridge on your Mac!
