EE Smart Hub Plus not working with Apple HomeKit

[Zatoweegie]

HI

I have just had EE 1.6Gb Full Fibre like installed and now none of my HomeKit devices will work. Even removing the devices from HomeKit and trying to add them again bring up an error stating that I need a HomeKit enabled router?!

If the EE Smart Hub Plus does not work with Apple HomeKit is there a way to make this work? 

I also have a Linksys MX4000 Mesh router which works on the network but even that does not seem to be able to connect to HomeKit.

For reference, I moved from Virgin where I set the Virgin router to modem mode and used the Linksys but this seems to not be possible with the EE router. 

Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.

[XRaySpeX]

There is no modem mode with the SH+.

The most you can do is on the Advanced > Wireless Settings page to temporarily disable the 5 GHz WiFi band & move off the Smart channel while connecting problematic 2.4 GHz devices.

[Chris_B]

@Zatoweegie  Have you setup your devices to link up to the router?  Ie reset them up from scratch?    HomeKit talks to your devices via WiFi so all devices have to be repaired to the new router.   What Apple device or devices are you using for HomeKit ?  have you paired this/these to the router?  Have you paired your HomeKit devices to the router as per the manufacturer’s instructions of these devices? 

[Zatoweegie]

Thanks. They are not apple devices but smart plugs that are HomeKit compatible. For example Meross smart plugs. Apple home app will no longer add them as it says the router is not HomeKit compatible. 
Would prefer to use HomeKit but concurring Alexa to make it all work!

[Zatoweegie]

Will try switching off 5ghz as advised above and see if that works. 

[Zatoweegie]

Afraid turning off 5ghz etc made no difference. Still the same error.

Seems the EE Router just does not work with HomeKit! Wish I could put it on modem mode to then use my Linksys MX400O's.

Only alternative I may have is get an Alexa to manage the smart plugs etc. Or change my plugs to Philips Hue compatible ones.

[Profile closed]

The only ‘HomeKit Router’ I’m aware of is the Linksys Velop AX4200. 

I find HomeKit really problematic whatever the router and steps I take to troubleshoot. I have Meross plugs and have finally got them working on a BT Smart Hub 2, but I couldn’t tell you how! 

I ended up reinstalling a couple of Echo speakers just so I could reliably find devices and use voice control. I suspect that HomeKit is either too flaky or (most likely), too fussy to work consistently.

Have you checked whatever is acting as a HomeKit hub is up to date and working correctly? I’m not 100% that is essential locally but worth a check.

[Zatoweegie]

The Linksys I have is HomeKit compatible. It’s ll worked on Virgin but had to put their router on modem mode and use the Linksys as the router. EE does not allow for this. 

I have an Apple HomePod, which works incidentally. Just not the smart plugs. I’ve ordered a couple of Philips Hue smart plugs as I have the Hue bridge also. That should work but extra expense that I was not wanting.  

[JimM11]

@Zatoweegie Is your linksys router not capable of connecting directly to the ONT?

[Mustrum]

@Zatoweegie  unless you also have Digital Voice, you don't need to use the EE router, you can connect the Linksys router to the ONT.

See the following Help page for set up details.

https://ee.co.uk/help/broadband/getting-started/using-and-configuring-a-third-party-router 

edit - this will also help https://www.linksys.com/gb/support-article/?articleNum=47580