HomeKit LIFX + HomeKit = frustration

[ChromeCrescendo]

I have 13 LIFX Color BR30 lights

They have been connected via the LIFX App for over 1 year and work perfectly (the LIFX app and all bulbs are all up to date re: firmware)

I was using an Amazon Echo Dot (Alexa) up until recently when I decided to order the Apple HomePod Mini

As I await delivery of the HomePod mini, I figured I would finally set the LIFX bulbs up in HomeKit (iPhone 12 Max using iOS 14.3)
I opened the HomeKit App and saw that 5 of my lights were already connected (the ones for my living room) despite my never having set HomeKit up prior to opening the App today

However, none of the other 8 bulbs appeared

I decided to try connecting the 2 kitchen lights to the HomeKit App following the steps set out on the LIFX site:
-Reset kitchen lights;
-Open HomeKit app and hit the "+" button to add a light to HomeKit -- this is where the process ended as even though I entered the code, I kept receiving an error that HomeKit was "Unable to connect" (I tried this on both kitchen lights with the same results)

I have searched for the past 2 hours and cannot find an answer that allows me to connect the remaining LIFX bulbs that are not in HomeKit (I still have no idea how my living room lights were already populated in the HomeKit App)



If anyone can help me I would very much appreciate it - thank you.

 

[srl7741]

I removed all the LifX bulbs (24) from my home a few months back so I'm going off memory. In the LifX App in settings be sure to enable the Cloud and also in that section is the option to enable/add to HomeKit. Be sure that is also set to your preference.

I don't think there is much more to it? My LifX bulbs were rock solid till sometime after iOS 14 release and then all the sudden in the middle of the night different bulbs would suddenly turn on and other would show off line and not work. This would be the case in both the Home app and in the LifX app. I grew tired of trying to figure it out and nuked-em and now they set in a storage tub where they no longer cause me headaches.

 

[ChromeCrescendo]

I removed all the LifX bulbs (24) from my home a few months back so I'm going off memory. In the LifX App in settings be sure to enable the Cloud and also in that section is the option to enable/add to HomeKit. Be sure that is also set to your preference.

I don't think there is much more to it? My LifX bulbs were rock solid till sometime after iOS 14 release and then all the sudden in the middle of the night different bulbs would suddenly turn on and other would show off line and not work. This would be the case in both the Home app and in the LifX app. I grew tired of trying to figure it out and nuked-em and now they set in a storage tub where they no longer cause me headaches.

I attempted to pair them to HomeKit from the LIFX App but it would not connecct

I read that the light has to be connected to HomeKit first and then LIFX so I set about doing that after resetting the lights - all to no avail

I might just switch back to Alexa

 

[hg.wells]

That’s odd behavior, had lifx lights for ages in HomeKit without issues.

Here is the setup guide:

How do I set up my LIFX lights with HomeKit?

How do I set up my LIFX lights with HomeKit? Setting your LIFX light up to HomeKit will allow for control using the Apple Home app and Siri. Using HomeKit to set up your lights can also be an easie...

support.lifx.com

 

[ChromeCrescendo]

That’s odd behavior, had lifx lights for ages in HomeKit without issues.

Here is the setup guide:

How do I set up my LIFX lights with HomeKit?

How do I set up my LIFX lights with HomeKit? Setting your LIFX light up to HomeKit will allow for control using the Apple Home app and Siri. Using HomeKit to set up your lights can also be an easie...

support.lifx.com

What I ended up doing:

• deleting all LIFK bulbs from the LIFX Cloud
• deleting the LIFX App from iPhone
• removing My Home from the Home App on the iPhone
• hardware resetting all LIFX bulbs
• installing them one-by-one in the Home App (sometimes it would take 5-10 tries on each bulb for it to connect)
• installing them one-by-one in the LIFX App
• set up a Siri shortcut to control them

Finally working

 

[okieoutwest]

LIFX + HomeKit has always been a bit of hit and miss for me, too, if that's any consolation, and I had to basically do the same when I moved apartments earlier this year and had to move bulbs to different rooms physically and in the app.

What I do think the LIFX app is helpful for is setting color, as the HomeKit app is really wanting in this area if you're trying to be consistent and precise. (I use the white-only LIFX mini bulbs.)

 

[ChromeCrescendo]

LIFX + HomeKit has always been a bit of hit and miss for me, too, if that's any consolation, and I had to basically do the same when I moved apartments earlier this year and had to move bulbs to different rooms physically and in the app.

What I do think the LIFX app is helpful for is setting color, as the HomeKit app is really wanting in this area if you're trying to be consistent and precise. (I use the white-only LIFX mini bulbs.)

I am not seeing how to change the color in HomeKit
I usually just tell Siri one of the primary colors

 

[malcky77]

@ChromeCrescendo I know this was a week ago, but to change colour in the home app...press and hold the light in question, that should then bring up the colours used most recently, tap any colour you see and then it should have the option to “edit” the colour which tapping it again brings you the colour wheel to choose a colour.

 

[ChromeCrescendo]

@ChromeCrescendo I know this was a week ago, but to change colour in the home app...press and hold the light in question, that should then bring up the colours used most recently, tap any colour you see and then it should have the option to “edit” the colour which tapping it again brings you the colour wheel to choose a colour.

Much obliged