You’ve decked out your life with Apple gear—the iPhone, the Watch, maybe even a HomePod—and now you’re ready to take the next step into home automation. The first thing you search for is an “Apple Smart Plug,” expecting to find a sleek, white minimalist device. But your search comes up empty. That’s because Apple doesn’t actually make a smart plug.

Don’t worry, you’re not at a dead end. While you can’t buy a smart plug directly from Apple, there are numerous excellent options designed to integrate flawlessly with Apple’s smart home ecosystem, known as HomeKit. This guide, brought to you by the experts at Kjooz, will walk you through everything you need to know to choose, set up, and get the most out of the perfect smart plug for your Apple-centric home.
What to Look for in an Apple-Compatible Smart Plug
Finding the right smart plug isn’t just about picking one off the shelf. To ensure a smooth, integrated experience, you need to look for specific features that play well with Apple’s ecosystem.
Apple HomeKit: The Golden Ticket
The most crucial factor is Apple HomeKit compatibility. HomeKit is Apple’s framework that allows your iPhone, iPad, or Mac to control various smart home devices through the Home app and Siri. When a product is HomeKit-compatible, it has passed Apple’s certification and guarantees a secure and easy setup. Just look for the “Works with Apple Home” badge on the product’s packaging or description. This badge is your assurance that the device will connect seamlessly without needing a dozen different third-party apps.
The New Era: Matter and Thread
You might also see two newer terms popping up: Matter and Thread. Think of these as the future of the smart home.
- Matter: This is a universal connectivity standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon, and others. A Matter-certified smart plug will work not only with Apple HomeKit but also with other smart home platforms simultaneously. It’s the ultimate in future-proofing.
- Thread: This is a low-power mesh networking technology. Instead of every device connecting to your Wi-Fi router and potentially clogging it up, Thread-enabled devices can communicate with each other. This creates a more robust, faster, and reliable network, especially as you add more devices. Many top-tier HomeKit plugs now use Thread.
As David Chen, our Lead Smart Home Technician at Kjooz, often says, > “Choosing a smart plug with Matter and Thread support today is like investing in a solid foundation for your home’s future. It ensures reliability and compatibility for years to come, long after you’ve forgotten about the initial setup.”
Beyond the Basics: Essential Features
Once you’ve confirmed compatibility, consider these powerful features:
- Energy Monitoring: Want to know how much electricity that old space heater is really using? Some smart plugs can track energy consumption in real-time, helping you identify power-hungry appliances and save on your utility bills.
- Scheduling and Timers: Automate your life by setting schedules. Have your coffee maker turn on at 7 AM, program lamps to switch on at sunset, or set a timer to turn off a fan after an hour.
- Space-Saving Design: Many older smart plugs were bulky, blocking the second outlet on the wall. Modern designs are much more compact, allowing you to use both sockets without issue.
How to Set Up a Smart Plug with Apple Home
One of the biggest advantages of the HomeKit ecosystem is its incredible ease of use. Setting up a new smart plug is refreshingly simple.
- Unbox and Plug In: Take your new smart plug out of the box and plug it into the desired wall outlet. A small indicator light should turn on.
- Find the HomeKit Code: Look for a small QR code or an 8-digit number on the device itself or in its manual. This is your unique HomeKit setup code.
- Open the Home App: On your iPhone or iPad, open the Home app.
- Add Accessory: Tap the ‘+’ icon in the top right corner and select “Add Accessory.”
- Scan the Code: Your camera will activate. Simply point it at the HomeKit code. It will scan it automatically.
- Configure and Name: Your iPhone will connect to the plug. The Home app will then prompt you to name the device (e.g., “Living Room Lamp,” “Bedroom Fan”) and assign it to a room.
That’s it! You can now control your newly connected appliance using the Home app or by simply saying, “Hey Siri, turn on the living room lamp.”
Creative Ways to Use Your Apple Smart Plug
A smart plug is more than just a remote on/off switch. It’s a tool for automation, convenience, and even security. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Automate Your Morning Routine: Plug your coffee maker and a lamp into smart plugs. Create a “Good Morning” scene in the Home app that turns on the lamp and starts the coffee brewing with a single tap or Siri command.
- Enhance Home Security: When you’re on vacation, use schedules to have lights and a radio turn on and off at random intervals, creating the illusion that someone is home.
- Tame “Vampire Power”: Many electronics, like TVs and game consoles, draw a small amount of power even when turned off. Plug your entertainment center into a smart power strip and set a schedule to completely cut the power overnight.
- Holiday Lights Made Easy: Forget crawling behind the Christmas tree to plug and unplug the lights. A smart plug lets you control them with your voice or set them on an automatic schedule for the entire season.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use any smart plug with my iPhone?
No. While you can control almost any smart plug with its own third-party app on your iPhone, only plugs that are compatible with Apple HomeKit (or Matter) will integrate directly into the Apple Home app for seamless control via Siri and automation with other HomeKit devices.
Do I need a special hub for an Apple-compatible smart plug?
It depends. Many modern smart plugs connect directly to your home network via Wi-Fi or Thread. For Thread devices, you will need a Thread border router, which is built into devices like the HomePod, HomePod mini, or newer Apple TV 4K models. Older systems might have used a separate brand-specific hub, but these are becoming less common.
What’s the main difference between Matter and HomeKit?
HomeKit is Apple’s proprietary smart home platform. Matter is a universal standard designed to make devices from different brands work together across various platforms, including Apple HomeKit, Amazon Alexa, and Google Home. A Matter device will always work with HomeKit.
Can I control my smart plug with Siri?
Yes! As long as the smart plug is added to your Apple Home app, you can control it using Siri on your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Mac, or HomePod. Just use the name you assigned to it, like “Hey Siri, turn off the coffee maker.”
Your Smarter Home Awaits
While an official “Apple Smart Plug” doesn’t exist, the world of Apple HomeKit-compatible smart plugs is vast and full of powerful options. By focusing on devices with the “Works with Apple Home” badge or the newer Matter certification, you can effortlessly begin your smart home journey. From automating your morning coffee to enhancing your home’s security, these simple devices unlock a new level of convenience and control, all managed from the Apple devices you already know and love.