How to Install HOOBS on Your Raspberry Pi

Ben
Ben
@benjislab

HOOBS (Homebridge Out Of the Box) is a powerful and user-friendly platform that allows you to integrate non-HomeKit devices into your Apple HomeKit ecosystem. With HOOBS, you can manage your smart home devices seamlessly. This guide will walk you through the steps to install HOOBS on your Raspberry Pi, turning it into a central hub for your smart home.

Equipment Needed

  • Raspberry Pi (preferably Raspberry Pi 4 or 5)
  • MicroSD card (at least 16GB)
  • MicroSD card reader
  • Internet connection
  • Power supply for Raspberry Pi

Step 1: Prepare Your Raspberry Pi

Install Raspberry Pi OS

  1. Download Raspberry Pi OS:

    Download the latest version of Raspberry Pi OS Lite from the official Raspberry Pi website.

  2. Write the OS to the MicroSD Card:

    Use Raspberry Pi Imager or Balena Etcher to write the Raspberry Pi OS image to your MicroSD card.

  3. Set Up the Raspberry Pi:

    Insert the MicroSD card into your Raspberry Pi, connect it to a monitor, keyboard, and power it on. Follow the setup instructions to configure your Raspberry Pi.

  4. Update Your System:

Ensure your Raspberry Pi is up-to-date with the latest software and security patches.

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade

Step 2: Install HOOBS

Download and Install HOOBS

  1. Add HOOBS Repository:

First, add the HOOBS repository to your system.

curl -sSL https://dl.hoobs.org | sudo bash -
  1. Install HOOBS:

Install HOOBS using the package manager.

sudo apt install -y hoobs
  1. Start HOOBS:

Enable and start the HOOBS service.

sudo systemctl enable hoobs
sudo systemctl start hoobs
  1. Check HOOBS Status:

Verify that HOOBS is running.

sudo systemctl status hoobs

Step 3: Access the HOOBS Web Interface

  1. Find Your Raspberry Pi’s IP Address:

You need to know your Raspberry Pi’s IP address to access the HOOBS web interface. You can find it using:

hostname -I
  1. Open HOOBS in a Web Browser:

Open a web browser on your computer and navigate to http://<your_raspberry_pi_ip>:8080. Replace <your_raspberry_pi_ip> with the actual IP address of your Raspberry Pi.

  1. Log In to HOOBS:

You will be prompted to create an account and log in. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the setup.

Step 4: Configure HOOBS

Add Plugins

HOOBS supports a wide range of plugins to integrate different devices and services.

  1. Navigate to the Plugins Section:

In the HOOBS web interface, go to the Plugins section.

  1. Search for Plugins:

Use the search bar to find the plugins you need for your devices.

  1. Install Plugins:

Click the Install button next to the desired plugin. Follow any additional configuration steps required by the plugin.

Configure Accessories

  1. Add Accessories:

After installing plugins, you can add accessories by following the plugin’s documentation.

  1. Configure Settings:

Each accessory may have different settings. Configure them as needed in the HOOBS web interface.

Step 5: Connect HOOBS to HomeKit

  1. Open the Home App on Your iPhone or iPad:

Open the Home app and tap the plus (+) icon to add a new accessory.

  1. Scan the QR Code:

In the HOOBS web interface, navigate to the Dashboard. You will see a QR code. Scan this QR code with the Home app.

  1. Complete the Setup:

Follow the prompts in the Home app to complete the setup. Your HOOBS accessories should now appear in HomeKit.

Conclusion

Installing HOOBS on your Raspberry Pi provides a powerful and flexible way to integrate a wide variety of smart home devices into your Apple HomeKit ecosystem. By following these steps, you can set up a user-friendly and efficient smart home hub that enhances the functionality and convenience of your connected devices. Whether you're new to smart home technology or an experienced user, HOOBS makes it easy to manage and automate your home environment.