Hi. I feel like I’m missing something… most likely between my ears. HA readily detects the HomeBridge device (which I am assuming is my HomePod mini.) I would like to use this integration. When I try to, I get this:
For the life of me I can’t figure out where to find this. There is nothing of the sorts printed on the HomePod itself. Perhaps my google foo and forum foo is nothing but poo.
Thanks for any insights.
It’s easy to get confused regarding the Apple ecosystem and HA. The HomeKit Bridge is an integration that allows you to add HA entities/devices into Apple HomeKit where you can access them in the Apple Home App.
The HomeKit Device integration does the vis a vis vice versa, allowing you to add “works with Apple HomeKit” devices into HA.
The HomePod is an Apple Hub, which you will need to use the HomeKit bridge integration.
Regarding the discovery of a HomeKit bridge you are getting… that could be something like, for example, a Roku in the household that is broadcasting discovery packets to be added to Apple Home.
EDIT - If it’s the HomeKit Device integration that is being discovered, it probably is your HomePod mini, BUT… BIG BUT… if you already have the HomePod mini setup for Apple Home, you won’t be able to add it to HA. HomePod’s can only be connected via the HomeKit protocol to one setup at a time. If this is the case, and you really want it in HA, you can remove it from Apple Home, add it to HA with the HomeKit Device integration, then use the HomeKit Bridge integration to add it back to Apple Home as a media player. However, this will render it’s hub capability to zilch. You’ll need another HomePod device or an Apple TV to act as the hub. This is my assumption, though tbf. I don’t have a HomePod device, but I do have an Apple TV.
I deeply appreciate the informative reply. I have seen posts that have mentioned these potentially confusing concepts and, apologies, I may still be confused. Is the code I am being asked for actually from the HomePod mini or … I mean, what do I have to put in there to get this to work? Or, is there another approach to setting this up that doesn’t use the automatic detection? (other than setting up config files, which I’m down to play with eventually, but would much rather set up via the UI at first.)
I do understand that HomeKit Bridge is a way to add HA devices to my HK setup. Why is my setup not just “working” like I’ve seen on other videos, explanations, etc?
I’m running HA off of a Synology NAS. The HomePod mini is the only official “HomeKit Hub” I have. I don’t have an Apple TV. I feel like I’m still missing something very basic here to setup this functionality. (I am very new to HA, so it wouldn’t surprise me.)
I don’t necessarily need the HomePod specifically in HA. I just want the integration in general to work (mostly to add my Ecobee Thermostat to my existing HK setup… which yes I have read the Ecobee setup has issues of its own – but evidently works through the HomeKit bridge – one step at a time though, gotta first get the basic integration with HK working. haha)
Thanks so much for any more insight.
On a side note. As I was troubleshooting, I was reminded that my Ecobee DID already have HK capabilities. It hadn’t been showing up in the Home app (or I wasn’t looking in the proper place) and I had forgotten. I unattached and reattached it to HK, and now I have the functionality that I was hoping to get via HA. That said, I do have other devices in the house (and an entire old Insteon system that used to be at my parent’s place) that I would “enjoy” getting to work with HA/HK bridge.
It depends on what is actually being discovered in HA. Does it say “HomeKit Bridge”? Or does it say “HomeKit Device”? Once that is figured out, it comes down to what it’s actually for.
But we need to take a step back. Have you setup a “Home” in the Apple Home App? If you want to use HomeKit Bridge to send HA entities to Apple Home so you can turn them on/off in the Home App and use Siri to turn them on/off, then you have to setup a Home in Apple’s ecosystem.
HI! It says “Homebridge 6B35 E1FA (Bridge)”
I already have an extensive home set up (actually two – one for my office elsewhere) on HomeKit, along with automations, scenes, etc etc. 
(including a scene in the office that, when I say “lights, get down!” the lights turn blue and a disco ball I installed from the celing comes on — I had some extra time during the pandemic hah)
