Build a DIY HomeKit Alarm System in 3 Easy Steps

Published by Shane W. on November 10, 2019November 10, 2019

Overview:
We will create a DIY security system that you can toggle On and Off using the Home App or Siri. When the alarm is triggered, a loud siren will play on our HomePod or AirPlay 2 speakers. This is pretty easy to setup and you can use any HomeKit sensors to build out this alarm system.

What You Need:
• HomeKit Smart Plug
• HomeKit Sensors
• HomePod or AirPlay 2 Speaker
• iPhone/iPad w/ the Eve App (Free) Installed
• Apple Music Account

Step 1: Setup Up Your Smart Plug
Plug in your smart plug and set it up in the Home app. Give it a name that makes sense. We will call ours “Security System.” This will be used to toggle our alarm system on and off. Consider placing it somewhere hidden or where no one will mess with it.

Step 2: Create Your Scene
Create a new scene, or use an existing one that will be used when the alarm is triggered. Choose “add or remove accessories” and choose your HomePod or AirPlay 2 speaker. Next, under “Media” choose “Audio.” Make sure “Play Audio” is chosen and then tap “Choose Audio.” Search for and select the audio to play as your alarm. The “Alarms: Sound Effects” album in Apple Music has some great options for an alarm sound. Select “repeat” and set the appropriate custom volume.

Step 3: Create Your Automations
We will create two automations. First, in the Home App, create a new automation when “an accessory is controlled” (choose your smart plug that we setup in step 1). Choose “turns off” and then select your HomePod or AirPlay 2 speaker. Then choose to pause audio playback on that speaker.

Next we need to use the Eve app (free) to create a conditional automation. Go to the Automations tab and create a new rule. Start by choosing the “trigger.” This will be all of the sensors that you wish to be included in the security system. Next choose the “conditions.” Choose “add value condition” and then select your smart plug that we setup in step 1. Choose the “power=off” as the condition. Lastly, choose the scene that we setup in step 2. And that’s it. All done.

Now you can tell Siri to turn on or off your Security System to toggle your alarm system. When it’s on and a sensor is triggered, the alarm will sound on your speakers.