Old tech devices that are still functioning often lose their relevance when they can no longer support the latest software updates. Take my second-generation iPad, for instance; it’s still in perfect condition, yet it’s nearly impossible to install most contemporary apps on it due to its outdated iOS version. Still, after putting in some effort, I managed to transform it into a smart home controller displaying my Home Assistant interface.

My iPad 2 Can’t Load Home Assistant

If you’re like me, you probably have drawers filled with old chargers and cables from gadgets you haven’t used in ages. Recently, while rummaging through one such drawer, I stumbled upon an old 30-pin charging cord originally meant for my initial iPhone and iPad models.

This discovery made me remember I still owned my second-gen iPad somewhere. After some searching, I located it in yet another stash of tech relics and recharged it using the rediscovered cable. Despite its cracked screen and 14-year age, the iPad functioned flawlessly.

Initially, I attempted to browse my Home Assistant dashboard via the web. Unfortunately, this proved futile. The iPad 2 runs iOS 9.3.5, pre-iPadOS era, and its Safari version is far too outdated to handle modern web standards and security protocols necessary for accessing many contemporary sites, including Home Assistant.

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Posts A Mobile Dashboard for My iPad ---------------------------------------

I decided to try accessing Home Assistant because I envisioned utilizing the old iPad as a portable dashboard. Unlike my Echo Hub, which remains fixed to the wall and requires moving to operate, I wanted something more flexible. An iPad positioned conveniently near the couch seemed ideal for managing my smart home without leaving my seat.

Surprisingly, despite its age, the iPad held its charge quite well. I believed it could serve as a handy mobile dashboard. Yet, getting the Home Assistant dashboard to appear on the iPad 2 remained problematic.

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Posts The Home Assistant Community Provided the Solution (Again) ---------------------------------------------------------

One advantage of using Home Assistant is the active online community. Forums like the official Home Assistant site and platforms such as Reddit are bustling with users. Chances are, if you encounter an issue, others have faced and resolved it too.

A quick Google search revealed numerous individuals in similar situations—using outdated iPads unable to load Home Assistant through a browser. They solved this by employing Virtual Network Computing (VNC). VNC enables running a browser on another device and accessing it remotely from your iPad.

Using this approach, you configure a virtual machine with a lightweight OS. You can then open your Home Assistant dashboard within a browser on the virtual machine. As the browser is modern, Home Assistant opens seamlessly.

Setting up a VNC server streams the virtual machine’s display to your iPad. You can interact with your Home Assistant dashboard as though it were running locally on the iPad.

Unencrypted VNC connections are standard. For enhanced security, consider using a VPN or SSH tunnel.

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Posts Configuring a Browser Inside a Virtual Machine -------------------------------------------

You can establish a virtual machine on various devices; your choice depends on available hardware. For example, you might set up your VNC server on a single-board computer like a Raspberry Pi. Alternatively, you could utilize an old desktop or laptop as your VNC server, or create one in your homelab if you possess one.

I’m running Home Assistant on a mini PC using the Proxmox open-source virtualization platform. This lets you run multiple virtual machines or Linux containers to host different services. Alongside Home Assistant, I also operate a Plex server and an MQTT server in separate containers.

In Proxmox, I generated a new virtual machine running Debian, an open-source Linux distribution. After creation, I installed the lightweight XFCE desktop environment and the Firefox browser to showcase my Home Assistant dashboard.

The last step involved installing a VNC server. I opted for TigerVNC as the server application, and once operational, it was possible to connect to the VNC server using the virtual machine’s IP address. It took some tweaking to get everything configured correctly, so here’s a helpful script if you attempt this yourself.

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Posts Installing a VNC Viewer on My iPad ------------------------------------

To join the VNC server, you need a VNC app on your iPad. This posed a minor challenge; I couldn’t download any VNC apps directly from the App Store on my iPad 2 since they required newer iOS versions than my device could handle. Fortunately, there’s a workaround.

On my current iPhone, I downloaded the free RealVNC Viewer app via the App Store. Once the app was on my iPhone, I accessed the App Store on my iPad 2 and selected the "Purchased" tab at the bottom of the screen. You’ll see a list of all apps downloaded on your Apple mobile devices. Tap the iCloud icon for RealVNC Viewer, and you’ll receive a message stating the app isn’t compatible with the current device. Tap “Download” to install an older version compatible with your iPad.

After installation, tap the " " (plus) icon in the top-right corner. Input the VNC server’s IP address (findable by entering “ip a” in your VM), followed by a colon and the port number 5901. Name the session and tap “Save.”

By default, the app operates by letting you move the mouse pointer with your finger, but if you prefer touch interaction with your dashboard, tap “Interaction” and select “Touch Panel.” Tap “Connect,” and the app should link to your VNC server. Enter your password, and the desktop should appear. Launch Firefox, navigate to your Home Assistant server, log in, and you’ll see your dashboard.

You can make further adjustments to have Firefox open automatically to your Home Assistant dashboard or run in kiosk mode. If you’re stuck, seeking assistance from an AI chatbot can prove fruitful.

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Running my Home Assistant dashboard on my old iPad required more effort than anticipated, but thanks to the Home Assistant community, I succeeded. My next goal is crafting a specialized dashboard for my audiovisual equipment featuring larger, touch-friendly cards tailored to the iPad’s screen. Thus, my retired iPad can finally return to service as a practical portable remote.

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