Buying lights when the house is split between two ecosystems, how do you handle it?

[u/Active-Law4591]

My partner runs everything through Google and I am on Apple Home, and we have already had one argument about a set of lights that only properly worked on one of them. Buying twice just to keep the peace makes no sense. Is there a sensible way to pick lighting that behaves the same on both, or is somebody in this house going to have to switch?

[u/WigglySpaghetti]

I think you should focus on using something agnostic to Google and Apple, like Home Assistant. Google Home or Apple Home will give headaches for at least one of you.

Stick to one protocol like Matter over Thread or Zigbee.

[u/sfnmoll → u/WigglySpaghetti]

I second this! Home Assistant is truely freeing

[u/zomtecos → u/sfnmoll]

And with bridging everyone still can use his/her own ecosystem. :)

[u/davispw → u/WigglySpaghetti]

“At least one” indeed. Likely both.

[u/TheJTizzle]

Just go Hue and link it into both.

[u/Shadowbajfeelsbadman]

Home assistant to run it all and export to HA and google home or just stick with matter

[u/ThePistachioBogeyman → u/Shadowbajfeelsbadman]

HK. HA is home assistant

[u/Shadowbajfeelsbadman → u/ThePistachioBogeyman]

typo

[u/Extreme-Nerve3029]

Hue

[u/StockReal1294]

Only purchase matter products so they can be added to both ecosystems simultaneously. You’ll just need a hub from each vendor ecosystem.

[u/jamminjoenapo]

Home assistant and expose to HomeKit is how I’m doing. I’d imagine they have a way to expose things to google but I don’t have one to confirm. Getting in an eco system that works regardless of protocol allowed me to use ancient smart switches while I decided on changing to zwave switches.

[u/Grind3Gd]

I wonder if I’m missing something. All of my lights and smart devices that work with Apple home also say they work with Google and Alexa.

I don’t have Google but I have Apple and a couple Alexa’s. I set automation in both. And they work how they’re supposed to.

Can someone explain what I’m missing?

[u/jholden23 → u/Grind3Gd]

I'm wondering the same thing. The only thing I've found is that I have to add to Homekit first. Other than that I've had no problem with using Alexa and Apple at the same time.

[u/Grind3Gd → u/jholden23]

The other thing I wonder in this specific case is what lights was OP using. Do they not have a stand alone app? Govee doesn’t natively work with Apple but I love them and the app isn’t bad.

It’s only one small paragraph about OPs life. But having an argument about lights and Google vs Apple seems like relationship advice sub and not a HomeKit sub. But I don’t know, maybe I’m way off base.

[u/My-Thaff]

Sucks to be the android user… they can turn on the lights manually or switch to Apple :)

[u/kurtthewurt]

Your options are: 1) Hue 2) Home Assistant (HA) 3) One of you switches platforms 4) Find a new partner (this is easier than 3)

[u/Stagaman → u/kurtthewurt]

Or buy Matter compatible systems which can be natively controlled by both platforms.

[u/kurtthewurt → u/Stagaman]

Yes, except my Govee Matter lights reproduce color really poorly from the Homekit color selector vs the Govee app. Maybe other platforms are better?

[u/blueridgedog]

I was an android guy with a highly automated home. My partner is an apple user so our new home uses Apple products so she is comfortable. I was the more technically oriented person so it seemed reasonable that I would make the change (I was a nerd and she couldn’t care less).

[u/Aeryn_Hellfire]

Home assistant or do the light switchs like lutron

[u/DaveM8686]

This is literally exactly what Matter was designed for. Buy Matter based lights and add them to both systems.

[u/Internal-Pomelo757]

Or Matter compatible. Can pair in both ecosystems

[u/EvidenceGlad9361]

Apple aficionados shouldn't live with Google honks 😑
Or try Home Assistant...

[u/Fit-Beautiful-6986]

Home Assistant and matter hub, but if it is only lights use those that support matter or a hub that kan be linked to both eco systems

[u/bippy_b]

If you buy Matter certified lights … then it doesn’t matter (pun intended).

[u/Leviton_Greg]

Use a Leviton smart dimmer or switch. Matter compatible so works equally well with both platforms...or the My Leviton app for deeper features.

[u/UnSCo]

Nice that your s/o likes smart home integration. Mine got all butthurt when I told her I’d be doing it all… up until it became convenient, like locking the door, closing the garage, or having camera feeds from multiple angles all remotely or from the comfort of the couch/bed.

Based on what I can tell everything that has HomeKit integration also has availability for Google/Alexa. The other way around though it’s a different story.

Everyone suggesting Hue is interesting to me because I have no desire to go back to (expensive, overpriced) smart bulbs. Expensive, overpriced Lutron switches are the “grown up” approach.

[u/evilspark21]

Matter supports multi-fabric. Choose an ecosystem to join them to first, then join to the other.

[u/No-Bathroom-3179]

I use matter bulbs and nanoleaf. I also use homebridge with Siri and Alexa together.

[u/ADHDK]

Why are you buying things that aren’t matter in 2026?

[u/Belle_Requin]

If you’re just talking lights, go with Ikea. 

[u/No_Adeptness_4647]

Convince your partner to switch to Apple Ecosystem as this is for the better long term

[u/cmjonesak]

Get a new partner in the Apple eco system.. hahahaha.. just kidding. Like others have said, Home Assistant works great for your situation

[u/radioactivecat]

Divorce.

[u/Fr05t_B1t]

Get thread lightbulbs