Hi all.
Ok so I have a Hive home thermostat system connected to both my Apple Home and Amazon Alexa systems.
If the current temperature in the apartment is, for example, 20 degrees Celsius:
The Hive app will say it's 20 degrees.
My Amazon Echo / Alexa will say it's 20 degrees.
But the Home app on my iPhone, and Siri on the iPhone and HomePod, will say something like, "the temperature is ranging from 19.5 to 20.5 degrees". It always answers with a range, and refuses to tell me the exact current temperature, despite it being provided by the thermostat's system.
Do other people have this issue too? Is there anything I can do about it?
Cheers.
By Dave Nason, 23 December, 2025
Forum
iOS and iPadOS
Comments
- Thanks a lot, Apple. !
Hello Dave.
The HomePod Mini as well as the HomePod 2 contain a temperature sensor and a humidity sensor.
It is therefore normal that when you ask Siri for the temperature of a room that has several temperature sensors (a HomePod and a thermostat for example), the result is a range of temperatures — from the lowest in the room to the highest.
Unfortunately, Apple forces this sensor, which is almost always wrong because it’s located on the motherboard of the HomePod, right next to electronic components that generate heat.
I have contacted Apple several times to ask how to disable these harmful sensors. It’s not possible.
I asked them to make it possible in future updates — no response.
Good luck.
Philippe
A question, and some alternate advice
First my question:
Does your result always end with something like 19.5 to 20.5? For example, do you get 21.5 to 22.5, 30.5 to 31.5, etc.? If so, do this ridiculously simple math formula, to get a more approximate answer.
19.5, use addition and add a .5, 20.5, use subtraction, and subtract the -.5. Either way should get you 20° C. I realize this seems ridiculous, and I swear I'm trying to be honest here, but if you're always getting the results with .5° lower, to .5° higher, than what you are certain the temperature should be, then just add/subtract accordingly.
Now for some alternate advice:
Go to your nearest big box store, and find yourself a cheap talking thermometer that gives room temperature results. Keep it in a kitchen or desk drawer, and when you need to know the temperature, just point and press a button. This is what I do in my home. I have this silly little device from Walmart, it gives body, surface, and room temperatures. I think it maybe cost me $20, give or take.
HTH.
Re: PhBG
Hi Philippe,
Thanks so much for solving this little mystery for me. I unplugged the HomePod minis to check, and indeed it reverted to giving me a specific temperature.
I agree with you, it's kinda stupid. I have a thermostat on the wall which is linked to my heating system, so I'd really rather just use that.
It's not the end of the world right now of course, but is annoying.
I wonder, and fear, that if I decide to get another HomePod for the bedroom, will it incorporate that in to my temperature reading too. I don't want this because my heating system and target temperature setting is based off the living room temperature.
Re: Brian
Thanks Brian but no, it's not that straight forward. The range is usually either 1 degree or 1.5 degrees.
If the Hive says it's 19.8, Apple Home may say it's ranging from 19 to 20 or it may say it's ranging from 19 to 20.5 for example. It also tends to like whole numbers or point five, but nothing in between.
The other device sounds interesting but not something I need. I can get the true temperature in the Hive app, or from Alexa if I were to keep my Echo speakers. But I want to go with HomePods and be able to use Siri.
One option
If the thermostat is in a different room to your HomePods, you can simply ask Siri what the temperature is in that room.