With HomeView now available, Apple users who already own an Apple TV or HomePod have another device capable of running their smart home. But does Apple’s newest hub deserve to take priority, and should owners turn off Automatic Selection in the Home app to choose it themselves?
For most households, the answer is no. HomeView adds a touchscreen, Siri AI and convenient controls for connected accessories, but that does not automatically make it a better background home hub than an existing Apple TV or HomePod. A reliable network connection and a device that stays powered on are more important than having the newest hardware.
Apple lets compatible hubs be selected automatically or allows homeowners to choose a preferred device. With HomeView now able to act as a hub as soon as it is set up, it’s worth understanding the difference before changing any settings.
Apple TV 4K is a strong choice for anyone who can connect it to their router using Ethernet. A wired connection removes the Apple TV’s dependence on Wi-Fi for its main network link, potentially making it a more consistent option for remote accessory control and automations. That is a practical advantage, not a guarantee that every wired Apple TV will outperform other hubs.
HomePod and HomePod mini are also designed to remain switched on and connected to the home network. They automatically become home hubs during setup and support remote control and automations without needing a television or separate display. For households with reliable Wi-Fi, there may be little reason to replace an existing HomePod as the active hub.
HomeView brings something different: a shared touchscreen for managing lights, thermostats, locks and cameras, plus Siri AI and personalized information. As our HomeView review explains, those features make it particularly useful as a household control point. They don’t necessarily improve the reliability of the behind-the-scenes hub connection.
HomeView uses Wi-Fi 6E and includes Thread networking technology, according to Apple’s technical specifications. Thread support matters for compatible smart home accessories, but it is distinct from choosing which device should be the active Apple Home hub. For Thread-based Matter devices, a suitable Thread border router must also be available, such as a compatible HomePod or Apple TV, or a supported third-party device.
Generally, leave Automatic Selection switched on if your existing smart home setup works reliably. Apple Home can manage which available hub is active without requiring users to decide between HomeView, Apple TV and HomePod simply because another device has joined the household.
There are circumstances where selecting a preferred hub makes sense. If your Home app repeatedly chooses a device with an unreliable Wi-Fi connection while a wired Apple TV 4K is available, for example, manually preferring that Apple TV is a reasonable troubleshooting step. The same applies if you have identified one particular hub as consistently more dependable in your own home.
Choosing a preferred hub is not the same as disabling your other hubs, and it does not guarantee that the chosen device can never become unavailable. Apple’s published instructions confirm that a preferred hub can be selected but do not promise a particular speed improvement or spell out every failover scenario. Keep other compatible hubs updated and connected rather than assuming one manual choice will solve all connectivity problems.
On your iPhone, iPad or Mac, open the Home app, select the More button and choose Home Settings, followed by Home Hubs & Bridges. The currently active hub appears at the top of the screen. To choose another, turn off Automatic Selection and select the device you prefer.
Apple describes this process in its official home hub setup instructions. For a focused walkthrough, read our guide to choosing a preferred Apple Home hub with HomeView.
If HomeView or another hub does not appear, check that it is connected to the correct home, running current software and receiving power. Apple TV must also be assigned to a room in the Home app to become a home hub, while HomePod and HomeView are configured automatically.
Ultimately, HomeView is an appealing upgrade for controlling a smart home, not an automatic reason to change which device manages it. If Automatic Selection is already working, keeping it enabled avoids an unnecessary setting change. If automations or remote access are unreliable, check the active hub and consider prioritizing a reliably connected Apple TV 4K before replacing other hardware. For more on the device itself, see everything you need to know about HomeView.