Home Kit and WeMo

Note: I have replaced all my WeMo switches. I don't recommend using them. But, I had them for more than 3 years. So, some of my WeMo work might help others.

I am not sure when this happened. But at some point, Home Kit jumped in and started taking over WeMo device installation. My guess is Home Kit was installed when I added either a WeMo 3-way switch or an August door lock. I did this intentionally. However, later WeMo switch installs seemed to default to Home Kit rather than WeMo.

There are devices specifically labelled as Home Kit. They install via a scan code or 8 digit number. It is best to return these and get non-Home Kit devices.

WeMo Home Kit enabled devices are junk and have many issues. 

• The devices in Home Kit drop out more often than those just managed  by WeMo and the Alexa App.

• I have 8 devices on Home (or Apple's Home Kit). Home marks 7 of 8 as No Response and the 8th as Locked.

• Home Kit shows one or more devices needing an update, but when I go to update, WeMo says there are no updates.

• If a WeMo Home Kit device need to be reset, then the only way to do this is to remember the 8 digit code, or remove the wall plate and get the 8 digit code. This is a regular occurrence with WeMo Home Kit devices. 

I have come to the conclusion that I don't want any smart home devices in Home Kit. I removed the Home App from my iPhone.

The problem is if the device needs to be re-installed or factory reset, then Home Kit is required for install. Bypassing Home Kit doesn't work any more.

Step 1. Remove all accessories from HomeKit

• • Open Home (My Home or HomeKit)

  • Make a list of all the HomeKit Accessories

    • Click and hold accessory icon

    • Click setting icon in bottom corner

    • Scroll down and Remove Accessory

Step 2. Remove HomeKit 

• Click on and hold Home app

• Click Remove App

• Remove the Home app

Step 3. Reset each Smart Device (from list in Step 1)

• Hold reset button until it blinks red and then wait for it to restart (~1 minute)

• Do normal WeMo install

  • When iPhone prompts:

    • • WeMo ... is a Home Accessory

      • Do you want to add to your WiFi Network and Home

      • Hit Cancel

      • Click Add but do not add HomeKit app

      • Follow normal install

      • When it says Scan your HomeKit  code, click Let's scan, but don't scan anything

      • Click I don't have a code or Cannot Scan

      • Find your device