Why pay a premium for HomeKit light strips when you can make your own LED strip that works with Apple HomeKit?

HomeKit is the ideal solution for your smart home automation if you own an iPhone, iPad, or Mac. But unfortunately, HomeKit-compatible devices don't come cheap. Compared to other smart home products that can be controlled using Google Assistant or Alexa, Apple users have to pay a premium price for that HomeKit integration.

In this guide, we will build a NeoPixel RGB LED strip that you can install on your ceiling, walls, back of a TV panel, monitor, desk lamp, etc., and control the strip using the HomeKit or Eve app on your Mac or iOS device.

To build a HomeKit enabled DIY NeoPixel RGB LED strip, you need the following:

For this project, we will use the firmware by HomeKidd on GitHub. You can follow the simple instructions below.

Refer to the following diagram to connect the WS2812B LED strip to NodeMCU or D1 Mini and the power supply.

Once connected, you can put the D1 Mini or NodeMCU board into a 3D-printed case or similar box.

You may now connect the power supply to switch on the controller and connected LEDs. As soon as you connect the power, the microcontroller starts in Access Point or AP mode. Now, follow these steps:

Once the controller establishes a stable connection with your Wi-Fi network, here's what you need to do:

You're almost there. All you need to do now is learn how to control the LED strip with the Home app.

Once you've added the NeoPixel controller to the Home app, you can switch on/off the strip, change colors, adjust brightness, and create scenes.

If you have HomePod at your home, you may ask Siri to control the strip. Remember that you can't control it via an Android smartphone. But, you can flash the WLED firmware that offers more than 100 different effects.

You can refer to our guides to build a sound-reactive NeoPixel strip that also reacts to music or sound around it. You can control the strip using the WLED app or via the web interface that you can access from any device. You can also learn how to build a Philips Ambilight alternative for any TV using the WS2812B strip and Raspberry Pi.

Now that you have successfully built a DIY HomeKit enabled NeoPixel LED strip, you can install it on your ceiling, Christmas tree, behind the TV unit or panel, monitor, etc.

Using Scenes, you may add automation to switch on the strip at the desired time or change the color, brightness, or patterns based on the time of the day or event. However, you will need a HomePod or AppleTV to automate the controller.

Ravi is an expert tech explainer, an IoT enthusiast and Linux lover with a background in big data and app development. He spends most of his weekends working with IoT devices and playing games on the Xbox. He is also a solo traveler who loves hiking and exploring new trails.

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