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Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Does anyone know the implications of having a device that is on older software? I have a Mac that is one os too old (thanks Apple for dropping the 2016 mbp a year early). Do those devices just not work with the home app anymore or is there a bigger issue it can cause?
 
BigBlur said:
You've asked this before in a previous article and got answers. It's because it has breaking changes if you're using older Apple devices or software that don't support the new architecture.
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Stalker…
🕵️‍♂️
 
MacRumors said:


In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching.

iOS-26-Home-Feature.jpg

In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart home in the app entirely. In addition, users who do not upgrade will miss out on newer features like robot vacuum cleaner support, and they will not receive important security fixes and performance improvements.

Apple explains how to upgrade the Home app on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac:
  • Open the Home app
  • Tap or click on the three dots in the upper-right and navigate to Home Settings
  • Tap or click on Software Update
  • Tap or click Update Now, then follow the prompts. All of the homes that you own are updated at the same time.
If you see "This home and all accessories are up to date," then you are on the current version of the app and no further action is required.

Notably, the new version of Apple Home requires a minimum of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2.

Article Link: Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users
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There's no "Software Update" visible in my version of the Home App on IOS 26.2, on my MacBook Pro Tahoe 26.2. Does this mean I'm updated? My only home hub is a AppleTV (4th Gen? 128mb)
 
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skitidetdu said:
A big catch22 for me, my wife will be excluded since she is using an older phone that can't update the Home app so she won't be able to control the eve's we have. And to invite anyone I have to get an iPad/homepod...
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Ahhh! I use an iPhone 12 Pro. Could this be the reason I do not see the update option?
 
I use the Home app on devices with versions as old as iOS 10, and I regularly control my accessories from Macs running Catalina and older. I’ll rather stay on the old architecture until it ceases to work years down the line from being abandoned, than risk irreversibly making all those older versions unusable.
 
TFrank2 said:
Now if only Apple could release new home focused products…
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Omg yes. 😑 I have been waiting to upgrade Home app from my iPad to any new home product for years. I’ve been working under the assumption that they had delayed the upgrade requirement to coincide with new product release but that seems pretty much impossible now. So Home app will just be broken for me it seems. This is so incredibly annoying. I can’t be the only person in this position.
 
MacRumors said:


In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching.

iOS-26-Home-Feature.jpg

In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart home in the app entirely. In addition, users who do not upgrade will miss out on newer features like robot vacuum cleaner support, and they will not receive important security fixes and performance improvements.

Apple explains how to upgrade the Home app on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac:
  • Open the Home app
  • Tap or click on the three dots in the upper-right and navigate to Home Settings
  • Tap or click on Software Update
  • Tap or click Update Now, then follow the prompts. All of the homes that you own are updated at the same time.
If you see "This home and all accessories are up to date," then you are on the current version of the app and no further action is required.

Notably, the new version of Apple Home requires a minimum of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2.

Article Link: Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users
Click to expand...
Well after avoiding updating it for months I finally did - and now my Logi Circle doesn't work in it. Ugh. Go to hell Apple
 
macfacts said:
iPod touch is already discontinued.
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Yes. But things like lights and heat in your house should not need to be updated, ever. You expect a light switch to still work even after 30 or 40 years, Yes some fail bu for the most part, Gamma's 50-year-old bedroom light switch still works and does not need new firmware. People kind of expect this when it comes to lights and heat.
 
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I still don’t see why folks don’t upgrade their stuff. Apple has been pretty forthcoming about home app updates.
 
ChrisA said:
Yes. But things like lights and heat in your house should not need to be updated, ever. You expect a light switch to still work even after 30 or 40 years, Yes some fail bu for the most part, Gamma's 50-year-old bedroom light switch still works and does not need new firmware. People kind of expect this when it comes to lights and heat.
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shouldn't put all your "eggs" in apple's basket.
 
555gallardo said:
I'm curious, why people choose to skip the new Home architecture?
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Initially there were some kinks. (Years ago at this point.) Though it is stable now. But that may have deterred some people.

Some may use HomeKit, but so little, it just isn't on their radar much.

Some may be feeling 'update exhaustion" which is only getting worse as we have more and more devices.

And of course some may have hardware that the new architecture doesn't support.
 
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BP9906 said:
I still don’t see why folks don’t upgrade their stuff. Apple has been pretty forthcoming about home app updates.
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You can only imagine. Some guy on here was crying about how his 10 year old Apple Watch would be incompatible with Home if he updated.
 
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TechAndOSWorld said:
I use the Home app on devices with versions as old as iOS 10, and I regularly control my accessories from Macs running Catalina and older. I’ll rather stay on the old architecture until it ceases to work years down the line from being abandoned, than risk irreversibly making all those older versions unusable.
Click to expand...

This will likely render your modern devices incompatible. Tough choice.
 
ChrisA said:
Yes. But things like lights and heat in your house should not need to be updated, ever. You expect a light switch to still work even after 30 or 40 years, Yes some fail bu for the most part, Gamma's 50-year-old bedroom light switch still works and does not need new firmware. People kind of expect this when it comes to lights and heat.
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True, but Gamma's light switch also doesn't DO 99% of the things a modern smart switch does. So it isn't really a valid comparison. That's like comparing a Radio Flyer to a car, because they both transport people and things. (Small people.)

I'm not disagreeing with you, though... haha The "it just works" nature of the stuff smart devices are replacing is a real high bar, and there's no question they haven't reached it. And may never because the old stuff is just so dead simple. As long as they keep the "benefit ratio" high enough, though, I'm ok with it.
 
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bluecoast said:
Mexican Standoff:

I'll update my home app & architecture, if you bring out decent new Home products, Apple.

Who's going to blink first?
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Best thing you can do for Homekit is add a Hubitat, or a Homebridge or Home Assistant install. Then you can ise Home more as just a remote controller, instead of a brain.
 
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KENESS said:
True, but Gamma's light switch also doesn't DO 99% of the things a modern smart switch does. So it isn't really a valid comparison. That's like comparing a Radio Flyer to a car, because they both transport people and things. (Small people.)

I'm not disagreeing with you, though... haha The "it just works" nature of the stuff smart devices are replacing is a real high bar, and there's no question they haven't reached it. And may never because the old stuff is just so dead simple. As long as they keep the "benefit ratio" high enough, though, I'm ok with it.
Click to expand...
It's not even that, the switches and accessories still work, just not the legacy clients.
 
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