Automate Pulse 2 – Apple HomeKit
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INTEGRATION SUPPORT
AUTOMATE PULSE HUB 2 OVERVIEW
Take your Automate experience to the next level by integrating Automate motorized shades into Apple HomeKit control systems. The Automate Pulse Hub 2 supports discrete shade control and features a two-way communication system offering real-time shade position and battery level status. The Automate Pulse Hub 2 supports Ethernet Cable (CAT 5) and Wireless Communication (2.4GHz) for home automation integration using the RJ45 port conveniently located on the back of the hub. Each hub can support integration of up to 30 shades.
ABOUT PULSE 2 AND APPLE HOMEKIT
Your Automate Pulse 2 just got smarter. Apple HomeKit works with Automate Pulse 2 to take control of your shades with your voice and Siri. All you need is an Automate Pulse Hub 2 and a compatible Siri device. This allows you to control individual or groups of shades with precision.
GETTING STARTED
Go to the Apple Home App and add your Pulse 2 hub as an accessory. Proceed to pair Motorized shades through the Pulse 2 App.
INDEX
- ABOUT Pulse 2 and Apple HomeKit
- GETTING STARTED
- CONTROLLING YOUR AUTOMATE SHADES THROUGH SIRI
- SIRI COMMANDS
- GROUP CONTROL
- PERCENTAGE CONTROL
- TIPS
- INITIAL SETUP:
- Adding Pulse 2 as a New HomeKit Accessory
- How to Operate the Shades from the Home app
- How to Create a Scene in the Home App
- How to Customize your Hub
- Siri expected responses
- HomeKit Troubleshooting
- Removing Locations
- Finding the Apple Home app on iPhone OS 12.4.3 or below
- Enable the Homekit Privacy on your phone.
- Stuck on HomeKit – Can't delete the Home from your Homekit App.
- Can't use or scan the QR Code using my HomeKit App
- How can you pair the Hub from Home App
- Tilt Motor can't be controlled by Home App
- FAQ's
- HOMEKIT QR CODES
CONTROLLING YOUR AUTOMATE SHADES THROUGH SIRI
To create a seamless experience for handsfree voice activation, consider the natural way you and your family would call a shade on any Siri-enabled device. You may want to consider changing the name from 'Shade 1' to 'Living room Shade' in your Automate Pulse 2 App.
SIRI COMMANDS
Siri understands natural spoken language like 'open the blind' or even replacing 'blind' with 'shade'. Siri knows what you mean to say. Siri even understands adjectives like: 'open the blind a little bit' or even if you don't call the exact name that's listed in the Pulse app, Siri will know what you meant. For example, if the name of the blind is 'Kitchen' and the user says 'open the kitchen window', Siri will ignore the 'window' portion. Here are the expected commands and expected responses from Siri:
| Voice Command | Expected Shade Movement or Response |
|---|---|
| Close / Open <blinds name> | Shade will open / Close to top or bottom limit. |
| Close / Open <room name> blinds / shades | Room will open / Close to top or bottom limit (rooms are setup in the Home App). |
| Set <blinds names> to <percentage> | Shade will move to the called percentage (100% is Open, 0% is closed). |
| Open / Close <blinds names> to <percentage> | Shade will move to the called percentage (100% is Open, 0% is closed). |
| Close / Open <blinds name> <a little bit> | Shade will open or close 10% of the total limit to the direction of the called limit. |
| Close / Open <blinds names> halfway | Shade will move to 50% from top or bottom limit. |
| Open / Close Blinds | All blinds in the Pulse 2 App will follow the open or close command. |
| Open / Close Shades | All blinds in the Pulse 2 App will follow the open or close command. |
| Raise / Lower Blinds / Shades | All blinds in the Pulse 2 App will follow the open or close command. |
| Are <blinds name> open? | Siri will respond yes or no your blind is open or closed. |
| What's is the position of the <blinds name> ? | Siri will respond the percentage of the blind position is X%. |
| What's is the battery percentage of the <blinds name> ? | Siri will respond either Critical or Normal. Normal is above 50%; Critical means recharge now. |
GROUP CONTROL
Another method of operating window shades through HomeKit is through rooms. These rooms need to be set up in the Home app; rooms created in the Pulse 2 App are not transferred over to the Home app. Once a room has been created in the Home app, triggering it to operate is as simple as asking Siri to open / close that room.
PERCENTAGE CONTROL
An individual window shade or group can be sent to any percentage of openness. The percentage will be based on the programmed limits on the motor. A shade that is completely raised to its upper limit is at 0%, while a shade that is completely lowered to its lower limit is at 100%. To move an individual shade only a little down, simply say 'Siri close the shade a little bit'.
TIPS
- Siri responds to names created in the Automate Pulse 2 App. Avoid using the word 'blind' or 'shade' in the Automate Pulse 2 app description (e.g., 'blinds 1'). This will conflict when you say 'open all blinds'.
- If you have changed the name of your shade in your Pulse 2 App, please ensure you force close the Automate Pulse 2 App, then re-open the Pulse App. Open the Apple Home app to check the names migrated to Apple Home.
INITIAL SETUP: Adding Pulse 2 as a New HomeKit Accessory
Follow these steps to add your Automate Pulse 2 Hub to Apple HomeKit:
- Step 1: Open the 'HomeKit' mobile App on your iOS device.
- Step 2: From the Home Screen, select 'Add Accessory' at the bottom of the page.
- Step 3: Scan the QR Code located on the rear of the Hub to synchronize with the HomeKit function of your Apple device.
- Step 4: The Hub will be added to the HomeKit App.
- Step 5: Press the 'Next' button to move forward with the Hub setup.
- Step 6: The Hub is ready to be used. Press 'Done' to start using the HomeKit app to control shades.
How to Operate the Shades from the Home App
Once your Pulse 2 Hub is set up in HomeKit, you can control your shades directly from the Home app:
- Step 7: On the Home Screen, press and hold the 'Shade Icon' to start controlling your shade.
- Step 8: Close the shade by scrolling the (white) line to the bottom.
- Step 9: Move the shade to any position desired by scrolling the (white) line to any position.
- Step 10: Open the shade by scrolling the (white) line to the top position.
Note: Press anywhere on the screen to go back to the Home Screen.
How to Create a Scene in the Home App
Scenes allow you to control multiple accessories with a single command or tap.
- Step 11: Press anywhere on the screen to go back to the Home Screen.
- Step 12: Click the '+' icon and select the 'Add Scene' button to begin programming your desired scene.
- Step 13: Select a suggested scene (e.g., 'Good Morning') or create a custom scene as desired.
- Step 14: If you select a scene like 'Good Morning', you can configure it to Open a shade or group of shades as programmed.
How to Customize your Hub and Scenes
You can customize scenes with names, icons, and specific shade positions.
- Steps 15-18: If you select a scene like 'Good Night', you can configure it to Close a shade or group of shades. For a 'Custom' scene, you can create a personalized scene with an icon, name, and desired shade position.
- Step 17: Select the appropriate icon for the scene.
- Step 18: Customize the name of your scene accordingly and set the desired position of your shade.
- Steps 19-22: In the 'Home' Screen, you can control individual shades and scenes. Select the 'Room' icon and click on the accessory (e.g., RA-Pulse-1000147) to configure Hub information. Click 'Settings' to customize the Hub information as desired. Edit the information in your Hub and customize everything as needed.
- Step 23: You can also customize the Room color and name as desired.
Siri Expected Responses
Examples of Siri interactions:
- Step 24: User says: 'Hello Siri, close my Bedroom.' Siri responds: 'OK, the Bedroom is closing.'
- Step 25: User says: 'Hello Siri, open my Bedroom.' Siri responds: 'OK, the Bedroom is opening.'
HomeKit Troubleshooting
If you have failed to pair your hub to the Automate Pulse 2 app or HomeKit, you may need to first remove the location in the Home app.
Removing Locations in Automate Pulse 2 App
- Steps 26-28: Open the Pulse2 App, select 'Location' from the top-left menu, select the location, and delete it. Force quit the app.
Removing Locations in Apple Home App
- Steps 26-28: Select the 'Home' app, select the 'Home' icon in the top left and scroll to the bottom.
- Step 29: Remove the home location. Factory reset the hub by pressing the reset button for 10 seconds until the LED turns solid red. Refer back to the original Setup Guide (Step 1).
Finding the Apple Home App on iPhone OS 12.4.3 or Below
In some cases, the Apple Home app may not be installed on your phone. Follow these steps to install the Home app:
- Steps 30-32: Select 'Settings', verify the Home app is installed. If not, download it from the App Store. Scroll down and select 'Home'. The Home app is now ready. Refer to the original setup guide (Step 1).
Enable the HomeKit Privacy on your Phone
If you are facing issues where the Hub doesn't come up in the Automate App, it might be due to HomeKit privacy settings.
- Steps 33-35: When you open the Automate App, it may ask for Home Data permission. If not allowed, the pairing process will fail, and the Hub will not appear. To enable this manually, go to 'Settings', search for 'HomeKit', press the HomeKit Privacy icon, and enable the Automate App to work with HomeKit.
Stuck on HomeKit - Can't Delete the Home from your Homekit App
In some cases, Apple HomeKit may not allow you to delete the home from the Home App. To resolve this, you may need to reset your device completely and try again.
- Steps 36-37: If you can't delete the location from your Home App, reset your device completely. Press and hold the Power Button for a few seconds and slide to power off. After that, turn on your device and repeat the steps.
Can't Use or Scan the QR Code using my HomeKit App
To use the HomeKit App, ensure that Two-Factor Authentication is ON for your Apple ID. If it's not enabled, you cannot use the Home App to control shades.
- Steps 38-39: Select 'Settings' and go to 'Password & Security'. Check if Two-Factor Authentication is ON. If not, enable this option to use HomeKit.
How Can You Pair the Hub from Home App
You can use the Home App as an alternative option to provision the Hub on Wi-Fi, then start the configuration on the Automate App.
Pair the Hub with the Home App first:
- Steps 40-43: Make sure you have removed the Hub from the Automate App. Press and hold the 'P' button on the back of the Hub until the LED turns green. Select 'Add Accessory' in the Home app and scan the QR Code on the bottom of the Hub. After the Home App pairs, go back to the Automate App to conclude the pairing process.
Tilt Motor Can't Be Controlled by Home App
The Home App does not currently support a tilt-only function. For controlling shades with a tilt function, use the Automate App directly for device control, scenes, or timers.
- Steps 44-47: Select the 'Hub' in your Automate App via the HomeKit pop-up. Select your HUB ID from the list and press 'NEXT'. Select your respective 'Time Zone' and press 'Next'. Press 'Next' to finish the pairing process of your Hub using the Automate App.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What Does 'HomeKit' Mean for the Automate Pulse 2?
The Automate Shades can be operated by talking to Siri in your home if you have the Pulse 2 Hub connected to your Router via LAN or Wi-Fi and the free Automate Pulse 2 App installed on an iOS device using iOS 11.3 or higher with Apple® HomeKit. For remote control, you can use Siri with a 4th Generation Apple TV or HomePod. For more information on HomeKit, visit: support.apple.com/en-us/HT204893.
Can I Control My Shades via Siri from Anywhere?
Siri will only operate the shades when connected via local Wi-Fi. Alternatively, setting up a Home Pod, Apple TV, or iPad as a home hub grants remote access to your HomeKit devices.
What Apple Hardware/Software is Required for HomeKit?
An iPhone®, iPad®, or iPod® touch with iOS 11.3 or later is required. Check your iOS version in Settings > General > About > Version. For remote access, a 3rd generation or later Apple TV with software version 7.0 or later, or a Homepod device is needed. More information: support.apple.com/en-us/HT200008 or apple.com/homepod. Remote access via Apple TV may require logging out and back into iCloud®. Tip: Siri® responsiveness improves if the 'Sleep After' setting is 'Never' in Settings. Contact Apple Customer Support for Apple TV setup issues.
What Automate Hardware/Software is Required for HomeKit?
An Automate Pulse 2 Hub (MT02-0401-067001) and the latest version of the iOS Automate Pulse 2 App are required. The Automate Pulse 1 (MTRF-WIFIBRIDGE-KIT) does not support HomeKit. Other features are identical for generation 1 and 2, except for HomeKit support.
Do the Automate Pulse 2 Hub with HomeKit Features Work with Non-Apple Smartphones and Tablets (e.g., Android™)?
The Automate Pulse 2 App is available for Android, but Android devices do not have Siri and do not support third-party HomeKit apps. Performance on Android is identical for both Automate Pulse 2 generations.
Can Everyone in the Home Use Siri from Their Own iOS Device?
Yes, using the HomeKit App, you can share control with family and friends and receive notifications about home activity. More information: support.apple.com/en-us/HT204893.
Finding the Apple Home App on iPhone OS 12.4.3 or Below
If your Automate Pulse 2 App fails or shows an 'ERROR' message, there might be an issue connecting your Hub with HomeKit.
Where is the Homekit QR Code Located on the Automate Pulse 2 Hub?
The HomeKit QR code is located on the bottom of the hub. The house icon ? in the top left of the QR code represents the Home app for HomeKit.
If the QR scan fails, you will be prompted to enter the setup code, which is the eight-digit number located in the top right of the QR code.
Steps 51-53: Use the HomeKit Setup Code by positioning the code in the frame. If you don't have a code or can't scan, follow the manual entry steps.
Steps 54-55: You can enter the 8-digit HomeKit setup code found in the device packaging or on the device. If you're still having trouble, try resetting the accessory or refer to the manufacturer's guide.
