DIY Apple AirPrint/Play & Homekit on Rasperry Pi

Overview 

Our HomePi was originally cobbled together to integrate older/non-complaint devices into the world of Apple AirPlay/Print.  The little gizmo has evolved over time as devices change in/out around the house and now supports Apple HomeKit to integrate non-compliant 'smart' devices.

The HomePi has worked like a champ for years.  This recipe is basically a retrace of my steps for future rebuilds, but may be useful to others.

Migrated to new site spring 2021 - original site/recipe @
http://ventures.tpedersen.net/projects/diyappleairplayprintandhomekitonraspberrypi


Background & Capabilities

Many of the techno problems around our home tend to revolve around integrating older equipment with modern devices or attempting to deal with the deluge of new 'smart' devices, each with its own App or interface.   Our 'vintage' stereo and network printer were prime examples of the old world - simply not iPhone/iPad compatible in terms of streaming music or printing.  

On the other end of the spectrum, we seemed to be constantly fumbling with a variety of apps provided with our newfangled smart home (lights, switches, appliances, etc) - Waaay too complicated!

The Raspberry Pi was originally dropped onto our network to fill the Air Gap by emulating Apple AirPlay and AirPrint services and ultimately added HomeKit services so Siri could begin helping out around the house. 

Evolution

HomePi V1 (2014):   Raspberry Pi 1 Model B used to integrate an old network printer into the Apple AirPrint world (Cups).

HomePi V2 (2015):  Added AirPlay services (Shareport-sync)    services to allow iPads/iPhones to stream music to Bose Wave Radio.

HomePi V3 (2018):  Homekit services (homebridge) added to pull together our 'smart' home.  Integrates non-compliant smart devices into Apple Homekit world.  V3 also involved simplified OS (DietPi) and RPi 3 Model B hardware.

Home Pi V4 (2020):  V4 involved an OS (Buster) upgrade and  more simplification.  AirPrint services were dropped due to new network printer that no longer needed help.

Level of Difficulty & Prep Time

A cheap, easy and fun little project - no programming required but Raspberry Pi/Linux knowledge will come in handy.  1-2 hours to get things installed and running.

Hardware

Our current HomePi hardware profile: 

*Affiliate Links - Please note:  I may get a kickback from Amazon!

Software

Dietpi is now used for the HomePi foundation. It provides a lite version Raspbian and includes a library of optimized Pi software packages.

Step By Step

DietPi Install

Notes to self on OS Prep (DietPi IS Raspbian) and some handy optimized packages ...

AirPrint (Cups)

Our old printer finally passed away, so HomePi no longer provides AirPrint services, but here's the original raspbian recipe ... Last used on Stretch (cups 2.2.1) but  it should be close, CUPS is pretty solid and common.  Install/setup takes ~30 Mins.  Here's the original guide, it may be updated for Buster and beyond.
 

CUPS Config, phase 1cupsd.conf
 

CUPS Config, phase 2 - via CUPS web interface @ http://<your PI IP address>:631 (https in latest cups)

HowTo Use AirPrint to print from your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch by Apple Support

 

AirPlay (Shairport-sync)

Shairport-sync is fully installed via DietPi-Software utility (above).  Project page @ https://github.com/mikebrady/shairport-sync

Apples Support's article on using Apirplay - How to AirPlay Audio

HomeKit (HomeBridge)

HomeBridge is still not part of DietPi software library ... manual install required, but it's a LOT easier than it used to be!

This will still take some time, count on an hour with minimal plugin playtime! 

Homepage/info @ homebridge.io, github.com/homebridge/homebridge & Raspberry Pi specifics @ .../wiki/Install-Homebridge-on-Raspbian

Apple Home info @ https://www.apple.com/ios/home/

Touch-ups & Tweaks

Winter 2023 Update Notes

Some cleanup/updates:  A couple of new "Smart" things to incorporate into the home and some forced plugin updates.  Also removed the soundcard and cable to Bose - Airplay services no longer needed or used - HomePod sits right on top of Bose radio and sounds just as good!  ... notes/log

Failed attempted an update to Buster, ended up with some clumsy network issues during install, decided to simply update for now.

DietPi Tweaks/Updates

Homebridge 

Enough for now ... will do a rebuild using Bullseye in the spring, I think that should simplify this gizmo even more


Spring 2022 Update Notes

Spring cleaning during the winter ... some leftover HomePi updates.  Should be good for a long while!


Fall 2021 Update Notes

Loooong time since last  update