# Homebridge & Homemanager Guide (https://docs.homemanager-app.de/)





Homebridge brings devices into Apple Home that lack native HomeKit support: from smart plugs and sensors to robot vacuums, cameras, and network routers like the FRITZ!Box. As a local bridge, Homebridge translates commands directly into Apple's HomeKit protocol.

### Open source and community-driven [#open-source-and-community-driven]

Homebridge is a free open-source project published under the Apache-2.0 license, maintained and expanded by a global community. Thousands of open-source plugins make it possible to connect accessories from diverse ecosystems without relying on cloud services, running entirely within your local network.

ParceApp has been part of this community since 2018. As an independent developer team, we build **Homemanager**, a companion app designed for iOS and iPadOS. While Homebridge runs as a service on a server in your home, Homemanager provides a dedicated mobile app to manage your instances, monitor system health, and configure accessories directly from an iPhone or iPad.

### How this documentation is organized [#how-this-documentation-is-organized]

This knowledge base focuses on installing, configuring, and maintaining Homebridge.

Every guide covers both traditional setup via the official web interface (Homebridge Config UI X) and mobile administration using the Homemanager app. You can freely choose whether you prefer working in a desktop browser or managing your smart home setup directly from your mobile device.

<Callout type="info">
  **Note for HOOBS users:** Homemanager also connects directly to HOOBS servers and works as a [HOOBS app alternative](/guide/hoobs-app-alternative) on iPhone and iPad. Because this documentation focuses specifically on Homebridge, please consult the [official HOOBS Knowledge Base](https://hoobs.com/knowledgebase/) for HOOBS-specific installation and initial setup guides.
</Callout>

<Callout type="info">
  **New to Homebridge?** If you are building your first server, start with [How to Install Homebridge](/guide/install-homebridge). It shows which installation method fits what you already have.
</Callout>

***

## How the components work together [#how-the-components-work-together]

A reliable smart home setup relies on three distinct layers:

1. **Homebridge Server:** Runs continuously on a low-power computer in your local network (such as a Raspberry Pi), a NAS, or inside a Docker container. The server talks to your devices and exposes them to Apple Home using the HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP).
2. **Apple Home (Daily Control):** The everyday interface on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, and Apple TV. This is where you switch lights, view sensor readings, organize rooms, and create automations.
3. **Homemanager or Web Interface (Server Administration):** Administrative tools. Here you discover and install plugins, adjust settings, set up child bridges, and apply software updates to keep the server running smoothly.

<div className="my-8 flex justify-center">
  <ImageZoom src="/images/guide/idea_structure_light.svg" alt="Architecture overview: Homemanager, Homebridge, Apple Home, and smart home accessories" className="w-full max-w-130 border-none shadow-none" figureClassName="dark:hidden" caption="How it connects: Homemanager administers the server, Homebridge translates for Apple Home" />

  <ImageZoom src="/images/guide/idea_structure_dark.svg" alt="Architecture overview: Homemanager, Homebridge, Apple Home, and smart home accessories" className="w-full max-w-130 border-none shadow-none" figureClassName="hidden dark:block" caption="How it connects: Homemanager administers the server, Homebridge translates for Apple Home" />
</div>

***

## Homemanager as an iOS Companion [#homemanager-as-an-ios-companion]

While Homebridge can be administered through its web interface on desktop computers, Homemanager brings server management directly to your iPhone and iPad:

<div className="my-8 flex justify-center">
  <ImageZoom src="/images/guide/hm_devices_mobile.png" alt="Homemanager app interface on iPhone" className="w-full max-w-130 border-none shadow-none" caption="Homemanager on iPhone: server status, updates, and bridge management at a glance" />
</div>

### Integration Store: Discover plugins without guessing package names [#integration-store-discover-plugins-without-guessing-package-names]

When connecting a new piece of hardware, you rarely know its exact npm package name. The Integration Store organizes the catalog of over 4,000 community plugins for mobile browsing. Verified badges, trending community favorites, and maintenance indicators are immediately visible. Installing a plugin on your server takes a single tap.

### Structured forms and support for Custom UI [#structured-forms-and-support-for-custom-ui]

Plugins are configured using clean input controls with switches, sliders, and selection pickers, avoiding syntax errors like missing commas or misplaced brackets in the raw `config.json`. Homemanager is also the only available app to support the official Homebridge Custom UI standard: interactive setup wizards, vendor logins with two-factor authentication, and device discovery flows bundled with plugins run directly on your mobile device. For advanced tweaks and custom parameters, a built-in code editor provides real-time JSON syntax validation.

### Comprehensive bridge management and interactive guides [#comprehensive-bridge-management-and-interactive-guides]

Isolating plugins into child bridges runs accessories in separate processes: an issue in a single plugin will not bring down the rest of your smart home, and it bypasses Apple Home's 150-accessory bridge limit. Homemanager provides complete bridge management with interactive guidance. You can create a child bridge directly while installing a plugin or flexibly reassign existing configurations between bridges later on. You can copy the 8-digit setup code or QR code with a single tap to add the bridge into Apple Home.

### Server maintenance and live logs on mobile [#server-maintenance-and-live-logs-on-mobile]

From restarting services and updating plugins to installing new Node.js LTS releases: all pending maintenance tasks are grouped into a clear overview and can be triggered on demand. When an accessory stops responding, the mobile log viewer streams server logs in real time with filters for warnings, errors, and specific bridges.

### Centralized multi-server management [#centralized-multi-server-management]

If you run multiple instances (for example, on a Synology NAS, a Raspberry Pi, or across different properties), you can switch directly between servers in the app. Homemanager discovers instances automatically via Bonjour and brings bridge health, accessories, and pending updates together into a unified mobile view.

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  <h4 className="text-base font-semibold text-fd-foreground">
    Download Homemanager for iPhone and iPad
  </h4>

  <p className="max-w-md text-sm text-fd-muted-foreground">
    Available for free on the App Store. Manage Homebridge and HOOBS directly from your iOS and iPadOS device.
  </p>

  <div className="mt-1">
    <AppStoreButton size="md" />
  </div>
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***

## Topic Compass [#topic-compass]

<Cards>
  <Card icon="<HardDrive />" title="Getting Started" description="Connect servers across your local network and pair accessories into Apple Home using pairing codes." href="/guide/connecting-servers" />

  <Card icon="<Server />" title="Server Setup" description="Step-by-step guides for Raspberry Pi, Synology NAS, Docker, macOS, and Windows." href="/guide/install-homebridge" />

  <Card icon="<Layers />" title="Devices & Plugins" description="Discover verified plugins, configure settings, and isolate accessories with child bridges." href="/guide/finding-plugins" />

  <Card icon="<Wrench />" title="Maintenance & Updates" description="Keep Node.js LTS, npm packages, and Homebridge core up to date without downtime." href="/guide/updating-system-software" />

  <Card icon="<AlertTriangle />" title="Troubleshooting" description="Diagnose 'No Response' status, resolve mDNS advertiser issues, and analyze live logs." href="/guide/troubleshooting-no-response" />

  <Card icon="<Network />" title="Tips & FAQ" description="Understand how Matter fits alongside Homebridge, optimize local networking, and review common questions." href="/guide/faq" />
</Cards>

***

## All Guides at a Glance [#all-guides-at-a-glance]

### 1. Getting Started [#1-getting-started]

* [Connecting Servers](/guide/connecting-servers): Automatic Bonjour discovery or manual connection via static IP.
* [Pairing with Apple Home](/guide/pairing-apple-home): QR code scanning, manual setup codes, and the role of Apple Home hubs (Apple TV, HomePod).

### 2. Server Installation [#2-server-installation]

* [Install Homebridge](/guide/install-homebridge): Find the installation method that fits what you already have.
* [Choose Your System](/guide/choose-your-system): Raspberry Pi, Synology NAS, Docker, macOS, and Windows compared by power consumption, reliability, and ease of use.
* [Raspberry Pi](/guide/install-raspberry-pi): The standard 24/7 dedicated platform with official image setup and hardware recommendations.
* [Synology NAS](/guide/install-synology): Running inside Container Manager (Docker) or as a native package.
* [Docker & Containers](/guide/install-docker): Universal setup for Linux servers, Unraid, and TrueNAS using Docker Compose.
* [macOS](/guide/install-macos): Quick background service setup on a Mac mini or desktop Mac.
* [Windows](/guide/install-windows): Running on Windows 10 and 11 using the official background service installer.

### 3. Devices & Plugins [#3-devices--plugins]

* [Finding & Configuring Plugins](/guide/finding-plugins): Identifying quality plugins, verified badges, and visual settings forms.
* [Child Bridges](/guide/child-bridges): Isolating plugins into separate processes to prevent system crashes and bypass the 150-device limit.

### 4. Maintenance [#4-maintenance]

* [Updating System Software](/guide/updating-system-software): Upgrading Node.js LTS, npm, and Homebridge core safely.

### 5. Troubleshooting & Help [#5-troubleshooting--help]

* ['No Response' & Clearing Cache](/guide/troubleshooting-no-response): Tuning mDNS advertisers (Ciao vs. Bonjour) and clearing orphaned accessories from cache.
* [Startup Errors & Log Analysis](/guide/troubleshooting-startup-errors): Resolving boot loops, port conflicts, and reading real-time logs.

### 6. Background & Architecture [#6-background--architecture]

* [Matter & Homebridge](/guide/matter-and-homebridge): Why Homebridge remains essential for existing hardware alongside the Matter standard.
* [Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)](/guide/faq): Answers regarding local network permissions, notifications, remote access, and licensing.

***

## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) [#frequently-asked-questions-faq]

<Accordions>
  <Accordion title="Is Homebridge free to use?">
    Yes. Homebridge is an open-source project released under the Apache-2.0 license. There are no license fees or ongoing software subscriptions for the server software. You only need host hardware (such as a Raspberry Pi or a NAS) and your smart home devices.

    When using the optional Homemanager app on iPhone or iPad, you can choose between a permanently free starter tier and optional one-time licenses for advanced features.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do I strictly need a Raspberry Pi?">
    No. A Raspberry Pi is popular because it consumes very little power (roughly 3 to 5 watts) and runs silently. However, you can run Homebridge equally well on a Synology NAS, an existing Linux server via Docker, a Mac mini, or a Windows PC.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does Homemanager replace the Apple Home app?">
    No. The Apple Home app handles daily interactions: switching lights, adjusting thermostats, viewing camera feeds, and running automations. Homemanager is an administrative tool for the underlying server: you use it to manage plugins, monitor system resources, run updates, and configure technical bridge parameters.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Can I manage Homebridge without the Homemanager app?">
    Yes. Homebridge includes Homebridge Config UI X, a web interface that can be opened in any standard browser on your home network (typically at `http://homebridge.local:8581`). Homemanager is an optional companion tool for users who prefer managing their servers directly from an iPhone or iPad.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Does Homemanager work with HOOBS?">
    Yes. Homemanager supports connections to HOOBS instances as well as standard Homebridge servers, communicating directly via local network APIs. The [HOOBS app alternative](/guide/hoobs-app-alternative) page shows what it can do on HOOBS. Because this documentation focuses on Homebridge, please refer to the [official HOOBS Knowledge Base](https://hoobs.com/knowledgebase/) for HOOBS setup and configuration guides.
  </Accordion>
</Accordions>