Adding any Roborock Robot Vacuum to Apple HomeKit

Roborock, known for its efficient robot vacuums, may not natively integrate with HomeKit. I have been using the Roborock Robot Vacuum for a few months now. And the incompatibility was the one thing that bothered me. So, I researched and tried out some workarounds that would help me add Roborock to HomeKit which is when I stumbled upon the ATH Bridge, a Homebridge-based plug-and-play solution.
Adding Roborock to the Home app Using ATH Bridge
Prerequisites:
- Roborock robot vacuum
- ATH Bridge device
- Stable Wi-Fi connection
Step 1: Set Up ATH Bridge
- Unboxing and Powering on the ATH Bridge: You have to ensure that the ATH Bridge device is powered on. The indicator light should show that it is in operation.
- Connect Athom Bridge to Your Home Network: You can use either Wi-Fi or an Ethernet cable (I used Wi-Fi) to connect the ATH Bridge to your router. A stable netwrok connection is essential for a smooth operation.
- Access the ATH Bridge Interface: Open your browser and enter the IP address of your ATH Bridge device. This enables access to its interface.
Step 2: Install the Roborock Plugin
- In the ATH Bridge interface, navigate to Plugins or Add-ons section.
- Search for the roborock-homebridge plugin and proceed to install it.
- Follow the plugin's instrutions for configuring the Roborock by providing the necessary details.
- Once it has been configured successfully your Roborock will be added to your ATH Bridge ecosystem.
Step 3: Control Your Roborock with the Apple Home App
- Open the Apple Home app on your iOS device.
- Tap on the + or Add Accessory button to start the process of adding your Roborock.
- Choose the option for manually adding a device, typically labeled Don't Have a Code or Can't Scan?
- Look for Roborock in the list of available devices and select it.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to add your Roborock to Apple HomeKit.
You can add any devices to HomeKit the with ATH Bridge! It is a similar process. And if you are wondering why add Roborock to HomeKit, it is because of the amaazing features you will be exposed to.
How to Set Up Roborock Siri Shortcuts
While HomeKit doesn't officially support robot vacuums as a category, you can use Siri shortcuts to control your Roborock. This method allows you to control your Roborock using vice commands with Siri. Although, I have to warn you first, having Siri shortcuts for Roborock does come with a few limitations such as not supporting all the features available in the Roborock app. This is possible with a Roborock HomeKit!
This is how I added Roborock to Siri in HomeKit:
- Open the Mi Home app.
- Navigate to the Profile tab at the bottom of the screen.
- Ensure that Mi Home iOS shortcut is toggled on under Lab features.
- Access the Automation tab at te bottom.
- Tap the + symbol in the top right corner.
- Choose the condition Complete manually.
- Select your Roborock Vacuum.
- Choose the command Start cleaning.
- Save your selction, then proceed to add it to Siri.
My Favourite Aspects of Adding Roborock to the Apple Home App
By integrating your Roborock smart vacuum with HomeKit using ATH Bridge, you unlock a world of convenient control. Here's what you can do with this integration:
- Ability to control Roborock Remote with Siri: After the Roborock HomeKit integration I was able to control my Roborock vacuum using Siri. Access its functionalities remotely through my phone even when I was away from home. Which was an amazing addition for me. For an example: I always make sure to get the vacuum running when returning home from a long vacation.
- Locating Roborock: Being able to use voice commands to locate my Roborock when it is out of charge or in an unexpected location, saves a lot of time and energy for me. Literally just saying, "Hey Siri, Roborock S6, where are you?" will let you know where the Roborock is.
- Enhanced Navigation and Safety: Robot vacuums simetimes struggle to recognize stairs and other elevated surfaces, posing a risk of falls. I have had a Roborock fall off the stairs, but with the Roborock Home Kit integration I was able to create a customized map for the vacuum making sure that is avoids the stairs and high places.
- Cleaning Scheduling: I also was able to create a cleaning schedule for the Robot vacuum with the HomeKit integration. Additionally, I was able to send the robot directly to specific spots where spills or tracked-in dust and require immediate attention.
- Power and Setting Control: Adjusting the power and other settings of the vacuum cleaner is possible with the integration. Depending n the Roborock model, programming specific vacuum settings based on different areas of the home.
Apart from this, if you’re interested in the Aqara devices, explore How to Add Aqara Smart Devices to Apple HomeKit
Conclusion: An Enhanced Smart Home with Roborock and HomeKit
In conclusion, integrating your Roborock robot vacuum with Apple HomeKit using ATH Bridge is a game-changer for your smart home. It provides you with the convenience of voice commands, automation, and seamless integration into your Apple smart home ecosystem. Say goodbye to manual vacuuming and hello to a cleaner, more efficient, and more convenient living environment. With Roborock and HomeKit, you'll experience the magic of a smarter home.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can Roborock work without Wi-Fi?
Yes, Roborock can perform cleaning tasks without Wi-Fi, but you won't be able to control it using your phone or tablet.
2. How do you name a Roborock room?
In the vacuum settings, you will see a map option that lists all the rooms and their names. You can change them according to your preference.
3. Will Roborock fall downstairs?
You can set up navigation in the app to prevent your Roborock from falling down the stairs. Some Roborock models come with onboard cliff sensors that can prevent the robot from falling.
4. Can Roborock clean multiple floors?
The ability of your Roborock to clean multiple floors depends on the model. Some higher-end models can remember up to three different floor plans, but you will need to carry the vacuum to different floors.
5. Can I use multiple Roborock vacuum models with HomeKit through ATH Bridge?
Yes, you can integrate multiple Roborock vacuum models into HomeKit using AddToHomeKit Bridge. Each Roborock device needs to be set up individually within the Atm Bridge ecosystem. This allows you to control and monitor various Roborock vacuum models via HomeKit on the same network.
6. What happens if I change my Wi-Fi network or router? Do I need to reconfigure the integration?
If you change your Wi-Fi network or router, you may need to reconfigure the integration. ATH Bridge relies on a stable network connection to communicate with your Roborock device. When you change your network settings, you should update the device's network configuration within the ATH Bridge interface to ensure seamless operation. This typically involves entering the new network's credentials.