Home Hubs are mandatory need to use and control Homekit/Matter devices from Anywhere, Anytime. Although Homekit allows connecting Unlimited Hubs, There is an issue causing troubles. Duplicate IDs, Rooms, and Homekit Ghost Hub have been reported. If you are facing the same- This Article will help you resolve it.
What is Homekit Ghost Hub?
A Ghost Hub is referred to as a Home Hub that is not actually associated with any of your accessories. For example, On your Apple Homekit, If the Home Hub doesn’t have a connected Apple TV or Homepod, still appears to be- It is a Ghost Hub. These appear as rooms and connected hubs, that do not even exist and which you don’t even use.
How do you figure out The Homekit Ghost Hub?
You can find these unassociated hubs on the Apple Home App. Generally, Appearing as Not Responding /Non Responsive Home Hubs.
Go to Home Settings> Home Hubs and Bridges menu -Check If every room shows up as Not Responding. Rooms named as Default Bedroom/Living Room.Or with an Apple Naming Scheme -appearing number after the name (2)(3)as such.
You can check it out for How to Fix Home Hubs Not Responding Error.
How to Fix the Homekit Ghost Hub Issue?
It is actually a Bug on the Apple Homekit that needs to be fixed. Below is a Tested and worked way that might help you solve the Homekit Ghost Hub issue.
- Firstly, Remove the Home Residents – Make sure only the Owner is connected. Remove all other connected users.
- Change the Password of your Apple ID and Force Log Out from all devices.
- Make sure that you have logged out of your Apple ID on every device. Now, Log in to Apple ID on just one device.
- Then Open the Apple Home App>Settings>Home Hubs and Bridges.
- and Look for the Ghost Hubs. If you do not see it – You succeed. But if yes, Then Move on and Remove and Reset your Home Hub Devices.
- On Apple ID – Go to settings and remove the Home hubs. Once done, Then You can add your Apple TV and Homepod again.
Also, Here are some common possible troubleshooting ways that you can try on.
- Check Your Internet Connection to Hubs.
- Power Cycle your Home Hubs.
- Remove and Reconnect your Homekit Hubs.
- Restart your Connected Devices /Accessories.
- Try Deleting or Removing the Ghost Hub.
- Remove Ghost Hub from any other connected home devices /Apple ID.
- Sign Out and Sign in back of the Apple ID that is used for the Hubs.
- Reboot your Internet Router.
However, If Method A fails, You can always try other methods which are listed below.
Ghost Home Hub – Not Responding
If your Home Hub (Apple TV ) is not responding constantly, It is better to remove it from the Homekit. Here are some steps on How to Remove a Ghost Home Hub from Homekit.
Check Out here for solutions to Apple Homekit Not Responding Error
How to Remove Homekit Ghost Hub from Homekit?
- On your Apple TV (Which appears as Ghost Hub);
Navigate to Settings>System>Reset>Reser and Update.
Wait until it is done.
- Now, Open the Home App – Select Room which is connected with Apple TV.
- Remove the Apple TV or the Hub connected.
- on iPhone – Go to Settings>Apple ID – Remove the Hub.
Once removed, Open the Apple Home App. Go to Settings>Home Hubs and Bridges>Check if the Homekit Ghost Hub is removed. If yes, After some time, You can Power Cycle your Hub and Connect it all back to Homekit.
Use the Controller for the Homekit App
In case, You cannot remove it on the Home App – You can try Installing the Controller for Homekit. There are way more options to make mods than it is on the Home App. Install the Controller app and Then Find the Phantom devices. Select it and Delete it.
Under the Maintenance option on the Controller -It allows you to identify, select, and remove unreachable, unresponsive devices directly.
Update your Home Hub Firmware
If the problem is on the Home App, Then There are chances that your connected Home Hubs are faulty.
- Make sure your Homekit Home Hubs are updated.
- Check if they are connected to the Home app perfectly.
- Ensure that the Home Hubs are Compatible with Homekit.
- Signed into the cloud and It is the Primary Home app user.
- Turn On iCloud Keychain and Two Factor Authentication.
How to Connect Home Hub to Homekit?
If you have a compatible Hub or need to reconnect the Hubs. Here is a Step guide to do so.
- HomePod Mini and HomePod Automatically connect as you set up
- Apple TV – Click here
- iPad – Settings>iCloud>Home>Turn On and connect.
Remove the Older Apple TV
In case, Your Older Apple TV is not responding as a hub on Homekit. You can move ahead and replace it with a new one. Purchase a New Apple TV, Replace and Try to Connect to Homekit.
- On the Apple Home App – Remove the Older Apple TV.
- Now, On your Older Apple TV – Check and make sure that it is not added to any room.
- Go to Settings > Accounts and Sign Out.
- Select My iPhone>My Apple ID> Remove Old Apple TV from the devices it is associated with.
- Also, Check if the Older Apple TV is not connected to Homekit for any other member.
Check Out: Homekit Apple TV 17.3 Not Working
Fix Homekit Ghost Hub through the Home App
Create a New Home
Regardless of this, this may or may not help you solve the issue. But You can also try to make a new test home or even a New Home.
- Disable your Apple TV /Homepod as the Hub. (This Option may not be available for most of the users). Remove the Hub from the Test Home.
You can also consider creating an Entirely New Home with the Hub that you want to access. Sometimes, Rebuilding makes the Homekit Ghost Hub disappear. Upgrade to a New Home Architecture.
Remove Accessories from the Home App
If you are facing Homekit Ghost Hub on your Home App. You can also give it a try and manage your connected accessories. Remove and Re-add the Smart Home accessories to the Homekit.
Restart the Apple Home App
Homekit Ghost Hub can usually appear as a duplicate copy of an already existing hub. In case, You have renamed it many times than required – You may see the same room as (2) duplicate. This can be due to any App Glitches, Bugs, and Software errors. It is always better to keep the App Up to date.
Follow the instructions below ;
- Close and Restart the Apple Home App again.
- Refresh the connected hubs list.
- Uninstall and Reinstall the Home App.
- Update the App to its Latest Version.
Update your Homekit
Some users state that – When using the Beta 17.5 version of Homekit on iOS, The Homekit Ghost Hub disappeared. However, This case is just for a few and can be totally a coincidence.
Sometimes, Outdated firmware can cause issues in running your devices. As mentioned, Systems and Software tend to Update Regularly. If you have not updated to its latest version and running on an older version. You may experience errors like Homekit Ghost Hub not working.
Reset your Homekit Configuration
- Open Home App – Home icon- 3 dots icon – Select Home – Home settings and Remove to Reset.
- Or On the Device – Go to Settings>Privacy>Homekit>Reset Homekit Configuration>Confirm.
Fix this too: Homekit Automations Not Working?
Wrap Up
Once you try out the Multiple Troubleshooting ways, I hope you will be able to solve the Homekit Ghost Hub Bug. If yes, Then Congratulations! That might have been a long ride to get it fixed. Also, If you are using a Phantom Hub, Wait for at least 90 minutes, It may disappear by itself. But, in case, These Ghost Hubs do not leave you and appear more often. Then The Last thing you can do is Contact and Get Support from Apple Engineers. Good Luck.