IKEA Trådfri gateway install & HomeKit

Updated 2019-02-05 !

Using Homebridge for a while, getting nice hardware to emulate Apples HomeKit devices, I finally decided to test IKEA:s Trådfri concept.


The actual device that I was interested in is the wireless control outlet. But they have bulbs and other stuff that is really nice priced.



This post will cover an installation of the Trådfri gateway with a HomeKit approach.  


Other HomeKit posts on this Blogg


First there should be a note that IKEA is using a well known protocol named Zigbee, which is wireless mesh network. Mesh is a smart technology that makes the devices cooperate to efficiently route data from/to each other. Another concept for this is Z-Wave and please find a post here where these are HomeKit enabled.

Talking about Homebridge(HB), there must be said that there are some HB plugins for Trådfri(TF), but since last autumn, 2017, the software in the TF gateway(TFG) supports direkt integration with HomeKit.

There should also be said that You can't reach/control Trådfri from Internet. Then You must use one off these integrations

• Apple HomeKit
• Amazon Alexa
• Google Assistant

There are several videos how to install the Trådfri devices but I will make some hints below.

Start with downloading and launching the IKEA TF app. 
Follow the instructions and install the TFG

• I have routers as WiFi extenders and had to connect the TFG and use the WiFi signal from the Internet router before I could "find" the TFG. But then it was OK to move TFG to the preferred place.

Add a control device and follow the instructions

• The TF gateway can't connect direct to a bulb, panel, door or driver !! They must be connected via a control device which could be a 
• Wireless dimmer
• Remote control
• Motion sensor
• Wireless ON/OFF switch

Add "Your ligths" and follow the instructions.

• In this panel I choose the "Control outlet"

When "Your ligths" are paired You don't "need" the control device anymore. The TFG then communicates direct with the "lights".

Update the software in the devices

Finally You add the TFG to HomeKit via the Apple Home app. 

• Use the "+" sign in the upper corner and then add
• Scan the HomeKit code on the TFG:s label
• If it is an old TFG, without the HomeKit code, it is found in the Trådfri app "Settings => Integrations => Apple HomeKit" 
• Check the new devices, in the Home app, which is connected to the TF gateway

The Wireless dimmer, Remote control, Motion sensor and Wireless ON/OFF switch will not appear in the Home app.

The last picture shows how a Trådfri Lamp appears, changing colours, in the Home app.