TL;DR
Flic’s Hub LR and new Flic Duo add physical button control to Apple Home setups, letting users trigger scenes and devices without a phone. The Duo offers dual-button and gesture modes, but advanced gestures are largely limited by Apple’s current Home framework.
What happened
The latest HomeKit-focused roundup examines Flic’s approach to adding tactile controls to smart homes using the Flic Hub LR and the new Flic Duo. Flic buttons use Bluetooth and require a bridge to reach a Wi‑Fi/HomeKit environment; the company’s Hub LR is the only hub that officially supports Apple Home/HomeKit. The Hub LR employs Bluetooth 5.1 LE for extended range, supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, can manage as many as 63 buttons, and includes a 3.5mm port for an optional IR blaster to control legacy IR devices. The Flic Duo is a dual‑button remote with a modal design that behaves as a simple wall switch when mounted and offers tilt, swipe and twist gesture controls when handheld. However, because Apple’s Home framework restricts accessory inputs, users should expect Home‑side actions to be limited to single, double and long presses. The Duo also has a built‑in speaker so you can locate it by pinging from the app.
Why it matters
- Physical buttons provide a simple, universal control method for guests, caregivers and quick interactions where voice or a phone is inconvenient.
- A local bridge like the Flic Hub LR allows Bluetooth-only buttons to participate in an Apple Home/Hub environment.
- Advanced gestures on multi‑function remotes may not translate into HomeKit automations because of platform limitations, affecting expected behavior.
- Button-based triggers can speed common routines (bedtime, leaving the house) and reduce friction in everyday smart home use.
Key facts
- Flic buttons communicate via Bluetooth and require a bridge to connect to Wi‑Fi and HomeKit.
- Flic Hub LR is the only Flic hub model that officially supports Apple Home/HomeKit.
- Hub LR uses Bluetooth 5.1 LE for improved range and wall penetration.
- The Hub LR supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks and can manage up to 63 buttons.
- The Hub LR includes a 3.5mm port for an optional IR blaster to control legacy IR devices.
- Flic Duo is a dual‑button remote with modal behavior: mounted it acts as a standard switch; handheld it enables gestures like swipes, tilts and twists.
- Apple’s Home framework currently limits button accessory triggers to Single Press, Double Press and Long Press.
- The Flic Duo includes a built‑in speaker that can be pinged from the app to help find the device.
- Flic’s app can use gestures to control other platforms and specific Matter devices, but gesture support in the Home app is constrained.
What to watch next
- Whether Apple expands Home framework support for more complex accessory gestures (not confirmed in the source).
- If Flic issues firmware or software updates that change how gestures map into HomeKit automations (not confirmed in the source).
- How users respond to the Duo’s modal behavior and real‑world range performance in larger homes (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- HomeKit: Apple’s smart home framework that lets users control compatible accessories, create automations, and manage devices through the Home app and Siri.
- Matter: An industry standard for smart home interoperability designed to let devices from different manufacturers work together across platforms.
- Bluetooth 5.1 LE: A low-energy version of Bluetooth that offers improved range, efficiency, and location features compared with earlier Bluetooth LE versions.
- IR blaster: A module that emits infrared signals to control older devices that rely on infrared remote controls, such as legacy TVs or fans.
- Bridge / Hub: A local device that connects low-power or short-range accessories (like Bluetooth buttons) to a home network and smart home platform.
Reader FAQ
Do Flic buttons work with Apple Home right out of the box?
Flic buttons require a bridge; the Flic Hub LR is the model that officially supports Apple Home/HomeKit.
Will the Duo’s swipe and tilt gestures work in the Home app?
Gestures can be used in the Flic app and to control some Matter or other platforms, but within Apple’s Home framework you should expect only Single Press, Double Press and Long Press to be available.
How many buttons can a single Hub LR support?
A single Flic Hub LR can manage up to 63 buttons.
Where can I buy the Flic Hub LR and Duo?
The source lists the Hub LR available from Amazon, the Flic Duo from Flic’s store, and a Flic Smart Button 3‑pack from Amazon.
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Sources
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