The best way to use HomePod temperature sensor

Have the brand new HomePod 2 or HomePod mini good audio system? In that case, you’ve bought entry to built-in temp and humidity sensors with software program 16.3 which could be helpful in a wide range of methods. Right here’s how you can arrange and use HomePod temperature and humidity sensors plus we’ll take a look at some methods to convey the identical performance to the Residence app and not using a HomePod.

Apple activated the dormant temperature and humidity sensors within the HomePod mini with its 16.3 replace and the revived HomePod 2 additionally comes with the identical {hardware} and software program capabilities.

For now, there’s no choice to set a HomePod as your major thermostat – the default stays the HomeKit thermostat in your house when you have one. However you should use the temp and humidity readings within the rooms you’ve gotten HomePod mini or HomePod 2 to arrange automations like turning in your furnace or A/C, turning on a good plug controlling a heater or humidifier, and so on.

Beneath we’ll cowl how you can use the built-in HomePod temperature and humidity sensors plus how you can add this performance to the Residence app with some third-party gadgets.

The best way to use HomePod temperature and humidity sensors

Word: Temperature and humidity sensors are solely included with HomePod 2 and HomePod mini

1. Make certain your iPhone and HomePod mini or HomePod 2 are all operating iOS 16.3/HomePod software program 16.3
   • HomePod 2 is transport for some customers with 16.0 – examine and replace your software program by heading to the Residence app > your HomePod > swipe right down to the gear icon > search for the accessible replace on the high
   • In case you can’t replace – learn our information on a recognized bug and workaround
2. Open the Residence app
3. Faucet Local weather on the high
4. Now it is best to see a temperature and humidity vary – faucet one to see extra particulars
   • For a little bit of time after updating your HomePods to 16.3, you might even see a Calibrating message earlier than dwell knowledge is on the market
5. Once you faucet temp or humidity, you’ll see all gadgets reporting knowledge together with HomePod mini, HomePod 2, and HomeKit-enabled thermostats
6. You possibly can select one in every of your HomePods to create an automation round temp or humidity > Add Automation

Right here’s how this appears:

Now you possibly can rename the HomePod temp/humidity sensor, create an automation, and dial in different settings like if it seems in your Residence Abstract and extra.

Try a better take a look at getting going with HomePod temp and humidity sensors in my colleague Derek’s video:

Get HomeKit temperature/humidity sensors with out HomePod 2 or HomePod mini

In case you’re to get temperature and humidity sensors extra locations in your house and not using a trendy HomePod, listed below are some nice choices:

• Eve Room with Thread at $99 – This sharp HomeKit gadget affords sensors for temperature, humidity, and in addition VOC focus
  • Not solely does it supply that knowledge within the Residence app, however it features a high-contrast e-ink display screen to shortly examine your house’s temp/humidity/VOCs
• ONVIS Sensible Sensor at $26 – An easier and extra reasonably priced manner so as to add temp and humidity monitoring within the Residence app. This additionally features a movement sensor.
• Philips Hue Movement Sensor at $40 – Whereas advertising and marketing as a movement sensor, this Hue HomeKit-enabled accent features a temperature sensor that exhibits up within the Residence app.
• Further ecobee room sensors at $79 – In case you have a appropriate ecobee HomeKit thermostat, you possibly can add temp and movement monitoring with these wi-fi sensors

Try 9to5Mac on YouTube for extra Apple information: