Home Kat Bridge
Introduction
The Home Kat Bridge app is a software hub hosting accessories which can be added to HomeKit. Once added, you can then control these accessories via the Home app or by Siri.
Home Kat Bridge can add the following categories of accessories to HomeKit:
- Buttons & Sensors include a weather temperature sensor, a smart AC controller and a switch to trigger an IFTTT event.
- TP Link Power outlets and Light bulbs can control certain Kasa and Tapo devices.
- Logitech Harmony Hub can control a harmony hub like a TV device and add buttons to send specific IR sequences.
- Tuya outlets & IR Blasters can control certain Tuya outlets and control AC units set up on Tuya IR Blasters.
- Dyson Pure Cool Air Purifiers can control wi-fi enabled Dyson air purifiers.
Home Kat Bridge will run on any mac running macOS 15 (Sequoia) or higher either natively or using OCLP. Alternatively if you wish to dedicate an old iOS device capable of running iOS 18 or higher, which includes iPhone 11 and iPhone XR, you can run the server.
You can setup Home Kat Bridge on one of your devices, and the settings will be stored in your iCloud account. You can then start the app on another device using the same iCloud account and all your settings will transfer. If run on a second device on the same network and iCloud account, the app can connect remotely to check the event log, view certain parameters and enable or disable certain device categories.
Each device category requires a small subscription fee. A trial period of one week is offered for each category, so you can test them out with your own devices.
Instructions on getting started are here.
Tips for using the app on iOS are here.
Please note that the app must be running at all times on the same network as the devices in your home. This means:
- If the app is quit, or the device it is running on sleeps, the accessories will be marked as unavailable in HomeKit until the Home Kat Briodge app is restarted or resumed.
- If run on an iOS device, that device must be dedicated to running the app 24/7 and the device must remain in your home at all times. This is only useful if you have a spare or second hand iOS device you can leave plugged in and running Home Kat Bridge only. The app does not need much resources so an old iPhone 11 or XR are fine.
- If run on a mac, the machine must be switched on, logged in, not asleep and the app must be running at all times in the background. It is possible to hide the app behind a menu item to avoid it cluttering screen space.
HomeKat is made with love by brooker.mobi.
App support
If you are having difficulties, you may find some help in the FAQ or in this troubleshooting guide. Contact the developer through this website for technical support. For questons on the subscription or payments, please contact the Apple app store.
HomeKit support
For support using Apple's HomeKit, Apple provides many online resources, including:
- Apple's HomeKit page
- Add a HomeKit accessory to the Home app
- Create scenes and automations with the Home app
