Apple Delays Home App Update Requirement Until February 2026

[MacRumors]

Apple plans to end support for the previous version of Apple Home on February 10, 2026, according to an updated support document published today. Apple previously said that the older architecture would no longer be supported as of fall 2025, but customers now have a few more months to update.

Users will need to transition to the new HomeKit architecture by next February to avoid interruptions with accessories and automations.

The underlying HomeKit architecture was revamped in March 2023 alongside iOS 16.4, so Apple has been supporting both the new and old architecture for the last two years. There were initial problems with stability that may have discouraged some users from upgrading, but those problems have now been addressed.

When Apple stops supporting the original HomeKit architecture, it will break support for the Home app on devices running older versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2 are the minimum versions of Apple's platforms that work with the updated Apple Home app, and older devices will lose access.

The update includes support for features like guest access, support for robot vacuum cleaners, and Activity History. Apple says it also provides faster, more reliable performance, especially for smart homes with a lot of HomeKit and Matter accessories installed.

The upgrade can be installed in the Home app by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then tapping on Software Update. Apple says that customers who do not install the update manually may be automatically upgraded to the latest version of Apple Home.

Article Link: Apple Delays Home App Update Requirement Until February 2026

 

[diego.caraballo]

Best of luck finding in which architecture are you currently in!

 

[jz0309]

I don't have any HomeKit stuff, this was bugging me a while back so I clicked on "upgrade" but it told me to turn iCloud sync on - nah, don't have any stuff, don't need sync via iCloud ...

 

[airwalk331]

Reading stuff like this is kinda what's prevented me from even starting a "Home ecosystem".

 

[jdavid_rp]

Maybe it’s delayed because the new home devices got delayed on last minute so no need to force this yet?

Best of luck finding in which architecture are you currently in!

If you see the option to upgrade = old.
If you don’t see the option to upgrade = new.

 

[turbineseaplane]

It kinda just makes you want "normal light switches and outlets" at some point.

I have an Ecobee and a few Govee switches.
I hope they keep working. 🤷‍♂️

 

[now i see it]

proof that its best not to get involved with HomeKit at all

 

[alexandr]

Not surprising, considering Home got nothing new in iOS26, even the Liquid Glass effects haven't been added to most of the app...

 

[lapstags]

my bday lol.

 

[Agent007]

Maybe it’s delayed because the new home devices got delayed on last minute so no need to force this yet?


If you see the option to upgrade = old.
If you don’t see the option to upgrade = new.

That's my guess, too. The Apple spin du jour: a stalling tactic disguised as giving customers a break. Reminds me of their greenwashing.

 

[Boeingfan]

If you don’t see the option to upgrade = new.

Thank you. I had this question!

 

[Mr_Ed]

I’ve been using HomeAssistant for a few years and it has been pretty solid. It integrates well with old hardware (I use mainly Zigbee devices) and newer ones, across multiple communication protocols and standards. Control/status UI is accessible via browser or cross-platform app. The main down side is that it does sometimes require more low-level knowledge during device setup, which is understandably not good for everyone. I really don’t mind so there’s just no up side for me to switch to Apple’s offering for home automation.

The reality is that home automation device shopping is still a mine field for most prospective users, especially if underlying architectures keeps evolving.

 

[CloneBB]

I have 40 devices in HomeKit. Works great for me.

 

[scottlitch]

I have been using Apple Home exclusively for over 6 years with no problems. I have a terrific wi-fi network with ethernet backhaul. That's really been the difference. I know others that have spotty experiences because of their wi-fi.

 

[svish]

Good to see that more time is given for everyone to shift. Maybe more reminders might be good considering that otherwise it might lead to more problems

 

[Colpeas]

Reading stuff like this is kinds what's prevented me from even starting a "Home ecosystem".

Yeah, planned obsolescence through software support and whatnot. The less “smart” my household is, the better.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

I have 40 devices in HomeKit. Works great for me.

I’ve got a few more than that, mainly because I swapped every light out with LED’s awhile back. Had no problems updating in September and can’t imagine not having it. Recently checked in on a friend I hadn’t really communicated with in a few years. I had helped them set up their automations awhile back over the course of a couple weeks until we got it right. Asked about their system because, I mean, it’s been years, right? They said they had no issues, all the voice commands and automations set up still works. I know some people have problems with it, but I’m just glad I’m not one of them.

 

[Diopter]

I would not be surprised if the original deadline was to coincide with the release of their new "home hub" device, and the delay of releasing it is also the reason they can now push back the deadline to next year.

 

[Reverend Benny]

A shame they didn't include devices from iOS/iPadOS 15. I understand that they have to draw the line somewhere, but there is quite a few devices still around that they also have released critical updates for recently as well.
Havin said that, I haven't fully looked into if devices prior to iOS 16 can still use the home accessories in a limited way or if they are completely left out in the cold.

 

[whelmedjedi]

I will no longer be buying any homekit devices. My mom and dad’s phones suddenly became useless for homekit devices after updating homekit architecture on my phone 2 years ago. Where is continuity? Where is backward support? If an accessory is controllable via its 3rd party brand app, why it suddenly losses control via apple home app?

Nah man. Apple becomes more and more moneymonger every year.

 

[Rychiar]

proof that its best not to get involved with HomeKit at all

Why? Why would anyone not update their homework architecture ? Ridiculous.

 

[Rychiar]

I have been using Apple Home exclusively for over 6 years with no problems. I have a terrific wi-fi network with ethernet backhaul. That's really been the difference. I know others that have spotty experiences because of their wi-fi.

Your Wi-Fi isn’t gonna help your thread devices, which is what most things are now

 

[swm]

there's no need to buy homekit devices. feel free to use homebridge (homebridge.io) and you can integrate whatever you desire into homekit. i have a 20+ year old KNX installation with about 100 elements and i used homebridge-knx to make them homekit enabled about 8ish years ago. it runs on a basic single board computer (similar to raspberry PI) without issues since then.

also, you can easily install HAA (Homekit Accessory Architect, https://github.com/RavenSystem/esp-homekit-devices) on ESP32 or ESP8266 based wifi enabled devices, and they'll magically become homekit enabled - without the need of any cloud connection to third parties. a similar solution exists for tuya devices using a different WiFi SoC for matter.

no coding experience required, whatsoever. and they all work with homekit just fine.
disclaimer: i'm still on old architecture, but gonna migrate soon to the new one.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

I have been using Apple Home exclusively for over 6 years with no problems. I have a terrific wi-fi network with ethernet backhaul. That's really been the difference. I know others that have spotty experiences because of their wi-fi.

I live in a mixed iPhone/Android household, so everything needs to be cross-platform.

Nest and Mysa thermostats, and a couple smart plugs; that's the extent of our smart home at the moment. It's still too much of a mess for my taste and I really don't like the idea of relying on internet-connected services.

No idea why are no Homekit-enabled smoke/co detectors on the market.

 

[whelmedjedi]

Why? Why would anyone not update their homework architecture ? Ridiculous.

Ridiculous? Because old phones uses control of homekit devices with new arch? Fair enough?