There are a number of ways to control your Apple HomeKit-enabled smart home. The stock Home app is available on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, and even the Apple Watch.

But you might not know that there are a number of additional apps to control your smart home from the Apple Watch. Here are some of the best app options for Apple Watch HomeKit control.

1. HomeCam

homecam apple watch

If you have multiple HomeKit-enabled cameras, viewing the feed for them takes a few steps in the stock Home app on the Apple Watch. But HomeCam brings your cameras front-and-center on the wearable device. Each camera is on a single page in the app, just swipe left and right to see each live view. It’s also easy to turn up the volume to hear what’s happening and even activate the microphone to talk to others with compatible camera models.

And one of the best things about the app is that it’s not just for the Apple Watch. It’s compatible with the Mac, iPhone, iPad, and even Apple TV so you can always keep an eye on what’s happening with your Apple devices.

Download: HomeCam ($4.99)

2. Pushcut: Shortcuts Automation

pushcuts apple watch

Pushcut: Shortcuts Automation makes your Apple-powered smart home even smarter. The Home app offers a number of ways to automate smart home devices, but Pushcart takes that to a new level. The headlining feature is a web API to bring more functionality to smart home devices. So for example, when you control a certain HomeKit device, a rich notification will appear on your Apple Watch to run a shortcut not possible through the Home app.

The free version of the app allows limited functionality like the ability to send notifications from HomeKit. To unlock the entire power of the app you’ll need a subscription. Subscribers receive even more integration with the app and the ability to create dynamic notifications without limitations and integration of HomeKit scenes and online actions like from IFTTT.

Download: Pushcut: Shortcuts Automation (Free, subscription available)

3. HomePass for HomeKit & Matter

homepass homekit apple watch

When adding a smart home device to Apple HomeKit, you’ll need the unique security code to complete the process. Most of the time, the code is included in the manual and on the product itself. But in case of any technical issues or if you want to give the device to someone else, that code is still necessary. Instead of keeping track of those codes on a sheet of paper that might get lost, HomePass for HomeKit & Matter will do the work for you.

After scanning the codes on the iPhone version you can easily access the information via the Apple Watch app.

The app is also available on the iPad and Mac.

Download: HomePass for HomeKit & Matter ($2.99)

4. Controller for HomeKit

controller for homekit apple watch

If you’re looking for a powerful replacement for Apple’s Home app across all of your devices, Controller for HomeKit should be on the top of your list. The app powers up the smart home control experience. The subscription option unlocks a number of great features like advanced notifications, backups, widgets, logs, and support for the Apple Watch.

The app experience on the watch provides quick control of different devices around your home. You can customize different screens with the scenes you most often activate. There are multiple ways to show scenes with icons and even a list, and you can also choose the color of the icon colors. Run a scene with a quick press and deactivate it with a long press.

With the free version of the app on your iPhone, you can do basic tasks like setting up home, rooms, and zones.

Download: Controller for HomeKit (Free, subscription available)

5. Thermo Watch for Nest & Ecobee

thermowatch for nest ecobee apple watch

Nest and Ecobee are two of the biggest names in smart thermostats. But you might not know that only Ecobee models are natively compatible with HomeKit. So if you have a home with both types of thermostats, you’ll usually need to juggle two different apps on all of your devices to control them. But Thermo Watch for Nest & Ecobee makes the control of both types simple on your Apple Watch.

Along with app control on the Apple Watch, you can also interact with both thermostats using Siri on the wearable device. With the app, changing the temperature is as easy as spinning the Digital Crown. You can also quickly access the app via a watch face complication. The app is also avaialble on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV.

Download: Thermo Watch for Nest & Ecobee ($2.99)

6. HomeRun 2

homerun 2 apple watch

Make a custom HomeKit experience with HomeRun 2. The app strips out other distractions and let you control what matters. On the Apple Watch, the app allows quick access to custom grids with smart home routines you might need during your day. Those routines will appear on the Siri watch face during the time of day you’re likely to need them.

The headlining feature on the Apple Watch is customizable complications for a wide variety of watch faces. With an easy interface on your iPhone, you can add a specific action and even change the design and action over time.

Also for the iPad, the app is a free download. An optional subscription unlocks additional options like the ability to unlock multiple grids to access on the iPhone or iPad, multiple complications on a watch face, home screen widgets, and more.

Download: HomeRun 2 (Free, subscription available)

7. Emblazee

emblazee for apple watch

HomeKit lights like the popular Philips Hue lineup is another great way to enjoy smart home technology. And Emblazee is all about easy control of those lights on your Apple Watch. With the app, you can manage multiple homes and even create rooms, zones, and scenes. You can also create triggers that activate scenes at specific times for even more automation.

The app is also available on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch.

Download: Emblazee ($0.99)

Smart Home Control Directly from Your Apple Watch

No matter whether you want to control your smart home full time using the Apple Watch or just use the wearable device to occasionally turn a light on or off, these apps can provide exactly what you’re looking for. And there’s no need to worry about picking up your iPhone.