How to Control Your SmartThings Hub with Siri: A Step-by-Step Guide for Installing Homebridge on Raspberry Pi (Updated 2022)

Learn how to control your SmartThings hub with Siri by installing Homebridge (Apple HomeKit bridge) on a Raspberry Pi. Follow these easy steps now!

Step 1 – Set Up Your Raspberry Pi

Follow the official setup guide:

https://www.raspberrypi.org/help/noobs-setup/

Step 2 – Install Node.js

Run the following commands:

sudo wget https://nodejs.org/dist/v16.17.0/node-v16.17.0-linux-armv7l.tar.gz

tar -xvf node-v16.17.0-linux-armv7l.tar.gz

cd node-v16.17.0-linux-armv7l

sudo cp -R * /usr/local/

Verify installation:

node -v

Step 3 – Update NPM

sudo npm install -g npm

Step 4 – Install Homebridge

sudo npm install -g –unsafe-perm homebridge homebridge-config-ui-x

• Homebridge allows non-HomeKit devices to work with Apple Home
• Homebridge Config UI X provides a web interface for management

Install as a Service (Auto-start on boot)

sudo hb-service install –user homebridge

Step 5 – Start Homebridge

homebridge

View Logs

tail -f /var/log/homebridge.log

tail -f /var/log/homebridge.err

Step 6 – Install SmartThings Plugin

Run Homebridge in insecure mode (required for accessory display):

homebridge -I

Install Plugin via UI

• Plugin: https://github.com/iklein99/homebridge-smartthings
• Generate token: https://account.smartthings.com/tokens
• Add the token to the plugin configuration

Enable Insecure Mode (Systemd)

Edit this file:

/etc/default/homebridge

Add or update:

HOMEBRIDGE_OPTS=-U /var/lib/homebridge -I

Popular Plugins

sudo npm i homebridge-harmonyhub

sudo npm i homebridge-people

sudo npm i homebridge-platform-wemo

sudo npm i homebridge-lifx-lan

sudo npm i homebridge-thermostat

Installed Location

/usr/local/lib/node_modules

Remove a Plugin

sudo npm r homebridge-people

Step 7 – Add Homebridge to iOS (HomeKit)

• Open the Home app (iOS 10+)
• Discover “homebridge” on your network
• Enter default PIN: 031-45-154

Important: Change this PIN for security.

Troubleshooting Pairing Issues

• Delete files in the persist/ directory
• Or change the username in config.json

Step 8 – Remote Access

To control devices outside your home network, you need:

• Apple TV (4th generation or newer), OR
• iPad (iOS 10+), OR
• HomePod

Setup Steps

1. Disable 2-factor authentication temporarily
2. Sign out of iCloud and iTunes on Apple TV
3. Sign back in
4. Test remote access (turn off Wi-Fi on your iPhone)
5. Re-enable 2-factor authentication

Additional Resources

https://github.com/nfarina/homebridge/wiki/Running-HomeBridge-on-a-Raspberry-Pi