All the details about the redesigned Home Automation Management app for iPhone and iPad.
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WWDC 2022 ushered in a huge amount of new stuff in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, the next versions of the operating systems for iPhone and iPad. Among all these novelties, we were able to discover a great redesign of the Home application.
With the arrival of the new design of the Home app and its new features, many users of iOS 16 or iPadOS 16 will be a little confused regarding the operation and settings of the application.
If that is your case, don’t worry, from this tutorial we will explain in great detail how the settings of the redesigned Home app of iPadOS 16 and iOS 16 work. We will use screenshots of the iPad because its dimensions make it easier to understand the tutorial, but the operation is identical on iPhone and iPad.
What is the Home app in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16?
Casa or “Home” is an app created by Apple for managing home automation devices and accessories compatible with the HomeKit platform. From here, iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 users can support HomeKit in actions like changing the color of the living room lights, activating a plug, or viewing video footage from a security camera.
Sometimes it is also possible to synchronize the operation of an accessory from its own brand application, but it is much more convenient to have control of all home automation devices in one place thanks to the Casa app.
As you can see in the screenshots, the Casa app user interface has a series of panels to control each accessory and a side menu with all the available sections to maintain a more organized home automation management.
How the Home app works
The operation of Casa is very simple. Simply add an accessory following the manufacturer’s instructions (we’ll explain how to do that later in this tutorial) and you’re ready to go. To activate or deactivate each accessory, you have to press one of the buttons or panels on the main Home screen.
With iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, iPhone and iPad users have the ability to organize their accessories by category, group multiple devices, name each accessory to control it via Siri voice commands, create scenes, and even run scheduled automations. Without a doubt, it is a very complete application.
How to add new home automation accessories to HomeKit from the Home app
Adding a new HomeKit-compatible accessory in the Home app is very easy, just follow a series of steps and you’ll be up and running in a matter of minutes.
1. Enable Bluetooth connectivity.
2. Enable Wi-Fi connectivity and avoid using 4G or 5G networks.
3. Tap on the “+” button in the upper right corner of the Home app.
4. Click on the “Add accessory” option.
5. Point your iPhone or iPad camera at the accessory code and wait for the sync to finish.
6. Choose a name and location for your new accessory.
Sometimes the Home app will show you a floating window asking if you want to run an automation in relation to your actions or the operation of other devices, as in this case:
Some accessories made up of multiple elements will ask you to change the name of each element:
Other iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 settings
Previously the overview of the Home app was sleek and organized, but very gridded and with little customization. Starting now, with iOS 16 and with iPadOS 16, Apple has made its Home app much more customizable. The accessory panels can be positioned anywhere and resized to suit each user.
In addition, there are sections divided by categories and the accessories can be grouped. There are many new features in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16. You can also change the icons of the accessory panels or see a multi-view of all security cameras.
change wallpaper
To begin with, we are going to learn how to change the Home wallpaper:
1. Tap the (…) button in the Home app.
2. Select the “Home Settings” option.
3. Scroll down until you find the funds available.
4. You can also upload your own wallpaper from your photo album gallery.
Rearrange accessory panels
If you want to rearrange the position of the Home accessory panels, follow these steps:
1. Click on the button (…) in the upper right corner.
2. Click on the “Edit home view” option.
3. Then keep your finger pressed on a panel and move it to where you want it to be positioned.
Resize accessory panels
Follow these instructions to resize the box for each home automation accessory panel in the Home app in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16:
1. Click on the button (…) of the Home application.
2. Then select the “Edit home view” option.
3. When the panels start to vibrate, tap on the item you want to resize.
4. Finally, click on the button with the two arrows that will appear in the upper right corner of the panel to change its size.
Group multiple accessories
In iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, you can group multiple accessories into a single group to make it easy to turn them on and off. Follow these steps to group accessories in the Home app:
1. Pick an accessory.
2. Keep your finger pressed on its panel.
3. Click on the “Accessory details” option.
4. Then click on the gear-shaped icon located in the lower right corner.
5. Then click on the “Group with other accessories” button.
6. Finally, choose a selection of accessories that you want to group together.
Apple has introduced many new features in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, in addition to a much more visual and attractive new design. Unfortunately, from these versions of Apple software already, thus losing many interesting features that will be available on Apple TV or HomePod. What do you think about the changes in iOS 16 and iPadOS 16?
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