Apple HomeKit, a smart home hub and ecosystem, has quickly become a favorite for automating homes with its seamless integration of Apple devices. While it’s widely known for managing lights, thermostats, and other smart gadgets, there are several lesser-known features that can enhance your home automation experience. Here are six things you might not know about what Apple HomeKit can do:

1. Room-Based Automations

HomeKit is designed not just for device control but also for organizing those devices by rooms. With room-based automation, you can create scenes that affect multiple devices at once. For instance, when you say, “Hey Siri, good morning,” HomeKit could turn on the lights in the kitchen while starting your coffee maker and setting a comfortable temperature on the thermostat.

2. Event-triggered Automations

HomeKit lets you create custom automations based on events happening in your life. For example, when your iPhone’s calendar recognizes an upcoming vacation, HomeKit can automatically set the thermostat to energy-saving mode while turning off non-essential devices around the house.

3. Enhanced Accessibility Options

Apple HomeKit integrates with accessibility services offered by macOS and iOS devices. This means users with visual or motor impairments can navigate through their smart home using just their voice or other assistive technologies like Switch Control.

4. Geofencing Capability

One of HomeKit’s lesser-known features is geofencing—creating virtual boundaries that trigger actions when you enter or exit them. You can set up a geofence around your home so when you arrive back after work, your door unlocks automatically and the lights turn on.

5. Guest Access Control

When you have friends or family visiting, you don’t have to share all your smart home controls with them. With Apple HomeKit, you can provide temporary access to specific devices or scenes without revealing sensitive information about your home or other devices.

6. Compatibility with Homebridge

While HomeKit supports many popular smart home gadgets, not all devices are compatible. However, with a free, open-source software called Homebridge, you can create plugins to connect non-HomeKit compatible devices to your ecosystem—expanding the possibilities for your smart home setup.

Apple’s HomeKit is a powerful and versatile platform with more features than meet the eye. Exploring these lesser-known capabilities can provide additional convenience and customization for an even smarter home experience.