HomeKit Bridge is no longer seen by Home app

[dstrickler]

I had this working flawlessly for over a year and then has a few (but not many) issues last summer.

This December after upgrading to Big Sur, I switched my iCloud account ID, and about the same time the Home app lost all knowledge of HKB. I know how to configure both (at least I did a while back), but in two different houses, the Home app sees my Apple TV has a hub, but not the Indigo HKB. Since it doesn't show up as a hub, there's no way I can get them talking and configure HKB. Indigo and my phone & laptop (both running the Home app) are definitely on the same 10.0.1.x network and I can ping them. It's almost like HKB isn't beaconing out that it's a

I'm assuming there's a simple fix that I'm now realizing here. Does anyone have a clue? I've enclosed a debug log if that helps. I'm running the latest HKB version.

Code: Select all

HomeKit Bridge                  Caching all HomeKit Bridge devices...
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on '1st Floor Backdoor Keypad (lights behind sofa and outside half bath)'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on '1st Floor Backdoor Keypad (lights behind sofa and outside half bath)'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on '1st Floor Bathroom Fan'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on '1st Floor Bathroom Fan'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on '1st Floor Bathroom Light'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on '1st Floor Bathroom Light'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on '1st Floor Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on '1st Floor Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'HVAC: 1st & 2nd Floor'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'HVAC: 1st & 2nd Floor'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'All 3rd Floor Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'All 3rd Floor Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'HVAC: 3rd Floor Nest'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'HVAC: 3rd Floor Nest'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'Dave's Office'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'Dave's Office'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'Dining Room Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'Dining Room Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'Office Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'Office Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'Kitchen Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'Kitchen Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'Livingroom Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'Livingroom Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'All MBR Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'All MBR Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Device Payload 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoModel keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'TV Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Converting indigoVersion keyword for HomeKit type or firmware on 'TV Lights'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Homebridge-Indigo2 Payload Data 1.0.0 loaded
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Saving 'Homekit Bridge - Greenwich Park' configuration to /Library/Application Support/Perceptive Automation/Indigo 7.4/Preferences/Plugins/com.eps.indigoplugin.homekit-bridge/1596079155
   HomeKit Bridge Warning          Turning on full Homebridge debugging for Homekit Bridge - Greenwich Park
   HomeKit Bridge                  Attempting to stop 'Homekit Bridge - Greenwich Park'
   HomeKit Bridge                  HomeKit server 'Homekit Bridge - Greenwich Park' has been stopped
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Rebuilding configuration for 'Homekit Bridge - Greenwich Park'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            Saving 'Homekit Bridge - Greenwich Park' configuration to /Library/Application Support/Perceptive Automation/Indigo 7.4/Preferences/Plugins/com.eps.indigoplugin.homekit-bridge/1596079155
   HomeKit Bridge Warning          Turning on full Homebridge debugging for Homekit Bridge - Greenwich Park
   HomeKit Bridge                  Attempting to start 'Homekit Bridge - Greenwich Park'
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            HTTP GET request received
   HomeKit Bridge                  Server 'Homekit Bridge - Greenwich Park' has successfully started, you can use your HomeKit apps or Siri for this accessory
   HomeKit Bridge Debug            HomeKit server 'Homekit Bridge - Greenwich Park' has been started

[dstrickler]

I solved it, but I really don't know how.

I deleted the entire HKB Device, leaving the HKB plugin software in place. I added the HKB Device back in and added a group Device (1st floor lights) to HKB. Nothing appeared in the Home app. A few minutes later, I added a second Device, this time a LampLic dimmer. Checking the Home app on my phone, it saw both Devices and added them just fine. It did ask for the 8 digit HomeKit ID, and I used the Indigo HKB ID as always.

I don't know what I did, but it's working!

[gtreece]

Dave, did it stay working for you? Have you made any changes to the devices/actions you're sharing via HKB since you got it up and running?

I am experiencing essentially the same thing. HKB had been working well for a long time, then started having issues recently (noticed the server device was stopped, and it wouldn't always restart). I deleted the server device as you did, leaving the plugin itself in place. I created a new server device and shared 4 action groups that I use in one of my rooms, and it started right up and seemed to work flawlessly. A couple days later I added in two more action groups to the server device, and it is no longer seen by the Home app. It's running, and does not seem to be complaining about anything when it starts up, but the home app is not seeing it. I have removed and added some more devices and actions, thinking that maybe some changes would kickstart it, but no go so far.

I have added a couple other plugins to my setup in the last few months, but my Indigo Mac has not changed. No OS upgrades or hardware changes, and I have always kept Indigo up to date on it's version.

So from what I see, the HKB plugin and server device are happy, but Home app is not wanting to play with them.

Greg

[webdeck]

I wanted to post a clarification for folks. The HB username is in the format of a MAC address, but it does not need to match the MAC address of your server. It can be any validly formatted MAC address that doesn't conflict with another Homekit device's MAC address.

Whenever you change this value, you are basically starting over on the Homekit side. So that's why it fixes some people's problems because when Homekit gets confused or corrupted, changing the username lets you start over as if there is a completely new Homekit device added to your setup. The downside is that all your device settings on the Homekit side like rooms and notifications are lost.

[dstrickler]

Dave, did it stay working for you? Have you made any changes to the devices/actions you're sharing via HKB since you got it up and running?

No, it didn't stay stable. Sometimes the Home app sees all the devices online, and someones they all report offline. I've even seen it happen in front of my eyes. Very confusing.

I'm currently testing the same type of setup in a different house, and hope to have better results. So far it's not going well, and I fear I'm missing something core to the setup that's changed.

In summary:
1. I'm using the latest HomeKit Bridge s/w for Indigo
2. Running on OSX 10.15.7 (Catalina) and 7.4.1 Indigo
3. Very stable network. I am on a 10.0.2.x network here, and there's a Site-toSite VPN to the 10.0.1.x network remotely. Both are running different Indigo servers with HomeKit Bridge, but the servers can see achother due to the VPN.
3. Created a HK Bridge device in Indigo, and added in three devices from Indigo.
4. I've restarted HK Bridge a few times, and there are no errors in the log, even with debugging turned on.
5. My Home app on my iPhone (on WiFi) and my Mac (on WiFi) on the 10.0.2.x network never sees the HK Bridge running on my Indigo server on 10.0.2.12.
6. My Mac and other toys can reach Indigo just fine on 10.0.2.12,
7. There is a 4th gen AppleTV in the house, but I've set it's HomeKit status to "disabled" so it doesn't get chatty on the network and mess something up.

[tornado]

Having the same exact issue as folks above. It just suddenly reported that no devices are responding. After a lot of troubleshooting, I've finally blown away all instances of HKB, then reloaded them. Also restarted HomePods. All to no avail. The home app refuses to see the running HKB device (with one light added just to have something to test). Up for any and all troubleshooting ideas any of you might have...

Thanks,
Joe

[dstrickler]

I have HBK running at two houses linked with a WAN. On on house, I got HBK working 80% reliably by removing HKB from Indigo, the Mac, and then with Finder, the actually file structure for HBK in the Indigo folder. I then recreated my HKB with two devices and it worked. After I added the rest of the devices I got to about 80% stable as I mentioned above.

One the second house, I tried the same thing and can't get anything to work. I've even severed the WAN in case they were interfering with each other, but no dice. The Apple Home app doesn't see the HBK as a hub at all.

Until I've had too much coffee and feel emboldened, I've given up on the second house. I really do like HKB though. Its interaction with Siri is just so slick.

[tornado]

.... and now it seems to see it. Maybe I had to just wait (~30 mins)?

[dstrickler]

I wish! I've waited days (literally), but no dice. I also checked that all devices were on the same iCloud account - just in case.

Glad to hear yours is up and running!

[DaveL17]

I just moved my Indigo server to another machine and the only hiccup was Home.app not seeing the bridge as being active. I tried several things to no avail and ultimately deleted the home from within Home.app on my phone. I exited and "killed" Home.app. Re-opened the app and it saw the bridge as available. Re-entered the code and was back in business. IMPORTANT: this required me to re-add all my devices into Home.app; however, the app prompted me for each device. It wasn't too painful, but perhaps I could've waited a while to see if the bridge would re-appear.

I suspect that if yours has been missing for days, it may not re-appear on its own--but that's just a guess.

[GaryL]

Sadly, I am in the same boat. After running HKB for a couple years with no issues, I updated my MacMini to Catalina (10.15.7) from 10.14.x and upgraded indigo from 7.4.1 to 7.5. Thinking things would just be BETTER. HKB starts up fine (after I approved it from the security pref to run). The Home app sees everything as "No Response". I REALLY don't want to delete my home and have to read everything just to find out it still doesn't work. There must be a better way to debug this or have the developer chime in here and give us some thing less sledge hammerish to try ?!

really sad that I even touched it. Just got the family used to asking Siri to do stuff and now they are back to "why are you making stuff harder for us to use".

I will keep poking at it, maybe try to downgrade my system (also painful) but if someone figures this out let us know!!!

[DaveL17]

Unfortunately, the developer of the HKB plugin is no longer using Indigo and is not supporting the plugin any longer.

[dstrickler]

Ouch! I didn't know he'd moved on. What a bummer. I'm a developer as well, and while I'd love to take on the HKB project, I have zero time for the foreseeable future. I can only hope someone else can pick it up.

Having voice control is what will get my family (and others) behind HA, and in an Apple household like mine, Siri is the go-to voice assistant.

[DaveL17]

Hopefully someone with better chops than me and more time than you will pick up the mantle. Otherwise, I think the way forward is with some form of hardware bridge that HomeKit will recognize. It's disappointing that Apple won't support software bridges.

[GaryL]

So are we at a dead end then? In my case, I was running Indigo 7.4.1 on Mac OS 10.14 and everything was perfect. I upgraded to Indigo 7.5 Rebooted, everything looked fine, no errors in the log files on start up. (What I DIDN'T check was if the Home app still could communicate with the HB).

Then I finally thought, OK I've been running on this older version of MacOS for a long time, this Mac mini can go up to Catalina which is now end of life, so lets do it and get whatever goodness, security fixes etc that it will afford me. So I did it.

Upon rebooting after install, I did get a message that the HomeBridge plugin was from an unknown developer, which I have seen before on other SW I have installed so I went into prefs and clicked on security and said install anyway. Then it stopped complaining. I even rebooted again to make sure things came up clean and they did.

Did I do a clean full system backup before I started - sigh - no. (this is my punishment). Do we think that if I went through the painful process of going back to 10.14 and Indigo 7.4.1 will solve all this? I dunno. It will certainly take me hours to do that.