Set Up Your Relay

Get from signup to controlling your first device in under 10 minutes.

What you'll need

• A Mac running macOS 14 Sonoma or later
• HomeKit devices set up in the Apple Home app
• The Mac needs to be on the same network as your HomeKit hub (HomePod, Apple TV, or iPad)

Step 1: Create an account

1. Go to homecast.cloud and click Sign Up
2. Enter your email and password
3. Check your email for a verification link and click it

Can't find the email?

Check your spam/junk folder. Gmail users: check the Promotions tab. See email verification troubleshooting if it doesn't arrive.

Step 2: Download the Mac app

1. Download Homecast from the Mac App Store (link coming soon)
2. Open the app — it appears in your menu bar as a house icon
3. macOS will ask for HomeKit permission — click Allow

HomeKit permission is required

Without HomeKit access, the app can't see your devices. If the prompt doesn't appear, go to System Settings → Privacy & Security → HomeKit and enable Homecast. See HomeKit permission troubleshooting.

Step 3: Sign in to the Mac app

1. Click the Homecast icon in your menu bar
2. Click Sign In — a browser window opens to homecast.cloud
3. Sign in with your account
4. The menu bar icon updates:
   • Green dot = connected to the server
   • Red / gray = not connected — see relay offline troubleshooting

Step 4: Verify it works

1. Open homecast.cloud in any browser — this can be on a different device or network
2. Sign in with your account
3. Your homes and devices should appear within a few seconds
4. Try toggling a light or checking a sensor value

Devices not appearing?

Make sure the Mac app is running and shows a green dot. See devices not appearing.

Step 5: Keep the relay running

The Mac must stay awake for remote access to work. To set it up for always-on operation:

1. Prevent sleep: System Settings → Energy → Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off
2. Launch at login: System Settings → General → Login Items → add Homecast
3. Best hardware: Mac mini, Mac Studio, or any Mac that stays on 24/7

The relay reconnects automatically after network drops, restarts, or brief sleep periods. After a longer offline period, it re-syncs all home and accessory data when it reconnects.

What's next

• Learn the dashboard — navigate rooms and control devices
• Download the mobile app — control your home from iOS or Android
• Invite family members — share access with other people
• Build automations with the API — write scripts to control devices
• Connect an AI assistant — let Claude or ChatGPT control your home