HomePod HomePod as a HomeKit bluetooth range extender

[MonstaMash]

I have an Apple TV 4 as my Home Hub. I have a Schlage Sense lock that frequently says “No Response” as the bluetooth range of the lock can’t reach the location of the Apple TV.

If I add another Apple TV closer to the lock, the secondary Apple TV kind of acts like a repeater (Apple calls it Standby in the Home app), and this solves the problem. But I don’t need an Apple TV in that spot, and would rather have something I’d use, like a speaker.

Does the HomePod mirror this type of functionality? Can anyone here with a similar setup see if acts a Standby Home Hub in the Home app, thus extending the range of HomeKit accessories?

 

[Newtons Apple]

Does your lock use Bluetooth or WiFi to communicate. I thought these device use WiFi.

 

[MonstaMash]

Does your lock use Bluetooth or WiFi to communicate. I thought these device use WiFi.

I think most HomeKit accessories use WiFi, especially those with hubs.

The Schlage Sense lock uses Bluetooth LE. It has to be within a limited range of an Apple TV in order to function unfortunately. That’s why I am hoping I can just place a HomePod closer to my door instead of an Apple TV.

 

[Newtons Apple]

I think most HomeKit accessories use WiFi, especially those with hubs.

The Schlage Sense lock uses Bluetooth LE. It has to be within a limited range of an Apple TV in order to function unfortunately. That’s why I am hoping I can just place a HomePod closer to my door instead of an Apple TV.

I see. Bluetooth makes sense as it is great for short range use like walking up to your door and getting it to unlock. I think some do run on WiFi as you can activate the lock from anywhere in the world via the Internet.

 

[cynics]

The HomePod as a hub should act like an AppleTV as a hub.

However like any speaker its placement will effect its performance. You dont want to have it crammed in a nook.

 

[satinsilverem2]

I think most HomeKit accessories use WiFi, especially those with hubs.

The Schlage Sense lock uses Bluetooth LE. It has to be within a limited range of an Apple TV in order to function unfortunately. That’s why I am hoping I can just place a HomePod closer to my door instead of an Apple TV.

Actually most HomeKit devices communicate over the Bluetooth LE protocol. Thats why the Apple TV acts as a range extender and not the Airports or other WiFi Router.

 

[wesley96]

What's happening is that there can be more than one HomeKit hub. Bluetooth LE based HomeKit devices will try to connect to a hub closest to it. So they can be placed farther than just having one hub. The second hub is not acting as a Bluetooth range extender, per se, but that's just a technical difference. To my knowledge, HomePod can be used in this manner since it's sanctioned as a full-fledged HomeKit hub, just like an Apple TV.