How To Set Up Homekit On Roku? – Step-by-Step Guide

Roku is amazing if you have a Roku TV or have bought a Roku device to increase your TV’s options. But what about Homekit integration? How to set up Homekit on Roku?

Recently, integrating Homekit and Roku has become native, meaning all recent TVs and sticks have the Homekit option in their software. However, if you have an older model that doesn’t support it, you can work your way through third-party enhancements such as HOOBS or Logitech Harmony.

Below we will guide you through all the steps you can use to make your Roku device part of the Homekit system. That way, you can control everything swiftly.

How To Set Up HomeKit On Roku? 

How to set up Homekit on Roku TV? That task is possible in any Roku TV or TV that counts with a Roku stick/dongle.

Even if your TV is not a very recent model, there are workarounds you can use to make the integration successful. 

Preparation Steps

Whenever you want to connect a new device to the HomeKit environment, there are some preparation steps before starting.

Those preparation steps will ensure no troubles happen.

✅ Check The Network

First, ensure you are connected to the correct network on your iPhone and the Roku TV or Roku device.

Both devices must be connected to the same network, which should be the 5GHz network if available, and if both devices are compatible with it.

✅ Ensure The iOS’s Latest Version

One reason the setup could fail is that the iOS on your iPhone is not the latest and doesn’t have the best integration tools.

Thus, it pays off to check if you have the current version of the software:

1. Go to Settings;
2. Choose General;
3. Tap Software Update;
4. Download if available.

It is possible that no update is available. In that case, you can stay chill because your phone is already up to date.

✅ Check The Roku System Too

It is also necessary to check if updates are available on your Roku TV or Roku device.

Since the system is the same for both situations, the steps below will function in all cases:

1. Press “Home” on the remote;
2. Enter “Settings”;
3. Choose “System “;
4. Select “System Update”;
5. Select “Check now.”

So if an update is available, you can download it. If not, you can proceed to check your options for integrating Homekit and Roku.

1. Connect Via Native HomeKit

Are you wondering how to set up HomeKit Roku? The most recent Roku TV and Roku devices versions support native compatibility with HomeKit.

That means you don’t need to download extra software or buy extra smart hubs.

Here is everything you have to do:

1. Press “Home” on the remote;
2. Enter “Settings”;
3. Navigate to “AirPlay and Homekit”;
4. Select “Homekit”;
5. Click on “Set Up”;

Open Apple Home

Now open Apple Home on your iPhone and do this:

1. Tap on “Add a device”;
2. Scan the HomeKit code showing up on the TV’s screen;
3. Follow the prompts;
4. You might want to give a name to the device so you easily recognize it.

After that, the Roku is ready to become part of scenes and automation within the HomeKit environment.

2. Use AirPlay

Perhaps your Roku isn’t compatible with HomeKit, but it is compatible with AirPlay.

That will limit the available features, but it still allows some integration between your Roku device/TV and the HomeKit environment.

Here is what you can do:

1. Press “Home” on the remote;
2. Enter “Settings”;
3. Navigate to “AirPlay and Homekit”;
4. Toggle it to “On.”

Next, go to your iPhone or iPad:

1. Choose any sort of media you want to share between devices;
2. Tap the Share button if the AirPlay button doesn’t show up immediately;
3. Choose the Roku device to display the media.

Tip: Sometimes, it is possible to use AirPlay with some scenes and automation. You can use that as a benefit to integrate Roku even more into your Apple environment.

3. Install Homebridge

As the name suggests, Homebridge is an application that can help you create bridges between many systems and the Homekit environment.

It supports plenty of platforms that Apple does not officially support.

Here is how you can use Homebridge with Roku:

1. Install Node.js on your Mac
2. Open the Terminal
3. Write “npm install -g homebridge” to run Homebridge
4. Write “npm install -g homebridge-vizio” to run the Roku plugin
5. Create a config.json file in the Homebridge directory
6. Add the following info to the JSON file:

"accessories": [
    {
        "accessory": "Roku Device",
        "name": "Whatever Name You Want",
        "token": "YOUR ACCESS TOKEN",
        "address": "YOUR DEVICE'S IP ADDRESS

It is important to figure out which is your Roku’s IP address. Otherwise, configuring it on the Homebridge and Homekit won’t be possible.

To open Homebridge whenever necessary, open the terminal and type “homebridge”.

Integrate Into HomeKit

Ensure that everything is correct on the Homebridge.

If it is, you will be able to add your Roku to the HomeKit by doing this:

1. Open the Apple Home app
2. Click the “+” button
3. Click on “Add Accessory” 
4. Tap “Don’t Have a Code or Can’t Scan?“
5. Select your Roku TV/device
6. Adjust settings if you want
7. Tap “Done“

Note: Homebridge users usually deploy updates. If you are willing to go down that path, you might want to keep up with the updates so the Homekit-Roku integration keeps running smoothly.

4. Use The HOOBS Hub

Suppose you don’t want to deal with the terminal on your Mac. That is understandable if you are not very keen on those things.

Fortunately, there is HOOBS: Homebridge out of the box. That smart hub already has Homebridge installed and is a bit simpler to install.

Here are the steps:

1. Connect HOOBS to your router (via Ethernet)
2. Launch the HOOBS app on your iPhone
3. Find the add-ons section
4. Locate and install the Roku plugin
5. Provide your Vizio account details and your IP address

Add HOOBS To HomeKit

The HOOBS app and hub will be able to interpret your Roku TV or device as a Homekit-enabled device.

That way, it can tell the HomeKit system that your Roku can integrate into the environment.

So do this:

1. Open the Home app;
2. Tap the “+” button;
3. Select “Add Accessory“;
4. Scan the HOOBS’ hub QR code;
5. Tweak preferences if you want.

Tip: HomeKit will recognize any device integrated into the HOOBS hub. That means you can now make your entire home Homekit-manageable.

5. Connect To The Logitech Harmony

Suppose you already own a Logitech Harmony hub. In that case, we have good news for you: the Logitech Harmony can integrate multiple devices and allow them into the Homekit environment.

It will work similarly to HOOBS. Here is what you must do:

1. Check that the TV and the Harmony Hub are on the same Wi-Fi network;
2. Launch the Logitech Harmony app on your iPhone;
3. Select “Devices”;
4. Tap “Add Devices”;
5. Search through brands and choose “Roku”;
6. Select your Roku TV or dongle.

Link Harmony And HomeKit

The next step is integrating Harmony and HomeKit. Once you do that, all the devices you have connected to Harmony will also become a part of the HomeKit environment. 

1. Open HomeKit on your iPhone;
2. Click on “+” button;
3. Touch “Add Accessory“;
4. Select “I Don’t Have a Code or Cannot Scan“;
5. Your iPhone will discover the hub;
6. Tweak settings if necessary.

Note: Since you are using a third-party app and hub, you might want to check if the hub is also connected to the same network as the Roku and your iPhone. Moreover, ensure the app is up to date!

What We Learned

How to set up Homekit on Roku? That is not a hard task nowadays. Many Roku devices are already compatible with Homekit.

Even if they are not readily compatible, third-party ways exist to create the desired integration. The guide above shows all the methods you can use!

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