How to Link Google Home or Apple Home from Your Phone

Google Home and Apple Home cannot be reached from a server, so they are linked from KamoMobile on a signed-in phone. Commands for these devices run on the phone that linked them. On the web, choosing either one under Add connection only tells you that it is linked from the mobile app.

Before you start

• You need the Manage IoT Connections right.
• Install KamoMobile and sign in. Google Home works on Android and iPhone. Apple Home needs an iPhone.
• Your organization sees Google Home and Apple Home only once they are offered to it. Google Home is offered only after the platform's registration with Google is approved. If it is not offered, it is not listed under On this phone, and its screen says Google Home isn't available for this organization. (or Apple Home isn't available for this organization.).

Link Google Home

1. In KamoMobile, open Devices (IoT), then Settings, then Connections.
2. Under On this phone, choose Link Google Home. On this phone is shown only to people with Manage IoT Connections.
3. Read what is shared and choose Continue.
4. On Google's screens, choose the account and the home. Google asks about locks and cameras one by one.
5. Under Name this connection, keep or change the name (it starts as the name of the Google home) and choose Link this phone.
6. Nobody can use the devices until access is given, not even you. Choose Grant yourself access, or give others access; see How to Give a Team Access to Device Functions.

A phone can link one Google home. Your organization links one Google home unless Google has approved more.

Link Apple Home

1. In KamoMobile on an iPhone, open Devices (IoT), then Settings, then Connections.
2. Under On this phone, choose Apple Home.
3. Type a name for the connection and choose Link this iPhone.
4. Allow access to Home when the iPhone asks.
5. Choose Grant yourself access. Nobody can control accessories from this iPhone until access is given on this connection, not even you.

What to expect

• Google Home: people you give access to can use the devices only while the linking phone has KamoMobile open. States are as of the last time that phone had KamoMobile open. Google allows the data to be kept for 10 days; devices not refreshed in 10 days disappear until the phone opens KamoMobile again. For a phone that stays at the premises, choose Start relay mode: it keeps the screen on, and leaving the page or the app ends relay mode.
• Google Home: if the linking phone has not reported for 24 hours, the connection shows Degraded until KamoMobile is opened on that phone again.
• Apple Home: only the person who linked it can use it, on that iPhone. Its accessories, rooms and states never leave the iPhone. The activity log shows only that the phone was allowed a kind of action (Phone allowed local control), never which accessory; the record of what was done is kept on the iPhone, in This iPhone's log. Away from the premises, accessories need an Apple home hub (HomePod or Apple TV).
• Both: there is no history and no live video. Automations and alarms cannot run on these devices. They cannot be shared outside your organization, used by Alexa or used by SI members. Safety-critical controls, such as opening a water valve, are not available.

If it doesn't work

• "Update KamoMobile to link Google Home." or "Update KamoMobile to use Apple Home.": the app you have does not include it. Choose Update when it is offered, or update KamoMobile from your app store.
• "This phone already links Google Home for another organization. A phone can link one Google home.": use another phone.
• "Linking a second home isn't approved by the vendor yet.": your organization already links a Google home, and Google has not approved more.
• "Google Home wasn't linked. Google's permission was not given.": start again and approve on Google's screens.
• "Allow KamoMobile to use Apple Home in Settings → Privacy & Security → HomeKit.": turn the permission on in the iPhone's settings, then choose Try again.
• To remove Google Home, choose Remove on its screen in KamoMobile and confirm with Remove, then also remove the platform from Linked apps in the Google Home app's settings.
• See Using IoT Devices on KamoMobile.