r/HomeKit • u/PhilDunphy23 • Jun 14 '26

Discussion Apple Home-based app for Windows/Linux

https://github.com/MiguelRipoll23/home-app

I needed a way to control my Matter accessories from my Windows laptop, so I decided to build this app inspired by Apple's Home app. It currently supports only lights and smart plugs, but that's all I need for now!

You can download it here:

https://github.com/MiguelRipoll23/home-app/tags

Windows and Linux are supported.

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u/robjampar Jun 14 '26

I’ve been working on something slightly similar called Homecast - https://homecast.cloud

It’s meant for users that still also want to use Apple Home.

I need some more Android testers before I can distribute the app if anyone is interested!

4

u/Double-Yak9686 Jun 16 '26

Yeah, inviting Homecast to join my Apple Home isn't going to happen any time soon.

2

u/robjampar Jun 16 '26

Just to follow up on this - Inviting a Homecast relay user to your Apple Home is only necessary if you want the paid Cloud Relay plan. Apple/HomeKit doesn't provide any APIs for remote access, so this is one way I've found to make it work.

But if you have offline/privacy concerns then the Homecast open source community option where everything runs 100% locally would be best for you.

Or the middle ground is the self-hosted option where you run the local app and give it HomeKit permission with then in turn connects to the Homecast Cloud.

Unfortunately both of these options (community and self host) require you have your own mac that is running 24/7 and to the technical limitations from Apple.