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Apple Removed HomeKit Support for Third-Generation Apple TV With iOS 10 [Updated]

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Apple is quietly phasing out HomeKit hub support for the third-generation Apple TV, meaning users who update their iPhones and iPads with iOS 10 will not be able to use the remote access feature in the Home app unless they have a fourth-generation set-top box.

Since HomeKit's announcement in 2014, iOS device owners running iOS 8.1 or later have been able to communicate with their third-generation Apple TV over iCloud remote access, which enables the set-top box to relay commands to HomeKit accessories when they're away from home.

ios10-ipad-atv-homekit-automation-hero.jpg

However, Apple has been confirming via its Twitter support account that once users update their devices to iOS 10, only a fourth-generation Apple TV or later is able to act as a HomeKit hub using the Home app to communicate remotely with the home automation platform. Apple has updated its support document on HomeKit remote access to reflect the change.

The news will no doubt come as a blow to owners of third-generation Apple TVs who use the feature, with the lack of HomeKit support in iOS 10 signaling another nail in the coffin for the older set-top box, which lacks native tvOS features like the App Store and Siri integration only available on the later model.

@lexgardner419 We want to help. iOS 10 & HomeKit hubs are now only compatible with AppleTv 4th Gen. Check this out: https://t.co/2DyWMh9Smz - Apple Support (@AppleSupport) September 16, 2016
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Apple's staggered depreciation of the third-gen device was also reflected in news last week that the company is pulling the device from its retail stores, with staff instructed to remove any remaining models from store shelves.

On Tuesday, Apple released tvOS 10 for the fourth-gen Apple TV, which added Siri support for managing HomeKit accessories, the ability to control HomeKit using third-party apps, and a whole host of other new features.

Update: Apple has published an updated support document to reflect the fact that the third-generation Apple TV works with remote access in iOS 10 (with the exception of HomeKit-enabled cameras), but does not support set-up of HomeKit automation or user permissions.

Article Link: Apple Removed HomeKit Support for Third-Generation Apple TV With iOS 10 [Updated]
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2016/09/16/apple-removed-homekit-support-apple-tv-ios-10/
Lucily my third gen Apple TV doesn't know this so I can reach my Philips Hue remotely. :-D
 
saabi said:
They didn't remove anything. Just the Home App is not for 3rd gen ATV. But it still works as HomeKit hub.
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Yep, running iOS 10 and I can turn on/off lights while away from home. I only have a gen2 and 3 AppleTVs. Not sure why the article is saying we'll lose remote access.
 
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Badly communicated but understandable decision. Having to maintain software compatibility with an older device/os just slows down HomeKit development. And a new AppleTV is typically absolutely peanuts for anyone investing in home automation.
 
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shareef777 said:
Yep, running iOS 10 and I can turn on/off lights while away from home. I only have a gen2 and 3 AppleTVs. Not sure why the article is saying we'll lose remote access.
Click to expand...

AFAIK HomeKit doesn't support Apple TV 3 as the central hub in iOS 10. Apple seems to be saying the same thing here. How does HomeKit remote access work outside of the Home app?

original.jpg
 
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Apple licensing requirements and equipment approval slows down Homekit development, not it being compatible on a wider swath of settop boxes. (Take a look at Amazon's Alexa line). ATV is just pushing signals for HK - not a lot of heavy lifting needed there.

The ATV4 may be "peanuts" for anyone investing in home automation but if they already own an ATV3 -- that worked with HK fine before iOS 10, and still works otherwise, then why should they be essentially forced to have to buy a new one?

And if they own an ATV3 and just want a taste of HK -- not ready to commit, well, this kills that. How does that help HK compat. hardware makers? No wonder Amazon is leading the race here. You can go buy a Dot for $59 and there are more devices compatible b/c of less stringent licensing requirements.

Also, Apple should have discontinued ATV3 when ATV4 was released last year if they planned on doing this rather than string people along. It really isn't understandable or classy.
 
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I just updated my 4th gen ATV because iOS 10 offers something i want, but the ATV 3 is keeping it's old firmware....why should I update and lose something...there's nothing to gain in iOS 10 for the ATV 3.
 
Didn't Apple state in WDC in June that you need ATV3 connection to be able to connect remotely. I've invested in HomeKit devices, and upgrades to iOS 10 since.
They can't just take it back. I don't want to buy an atv4 just to use something that would work on the hardware I already have.

It's not a matter of money but a matter of principle. You don't lie to your customers.


I'll skip HomeKit entirely now.
 
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Actually, if you have an iPad Air 2 or newer there's an option in the home kit app on iOS 10 to turn it into a hub... but your iPad needs to be turned on and at home for it to work.
 
tkukoc said:
Actually, if you have an iPad Air 2 or newer there's an option in the home kit app on iOS 10 to turn it into a hub... but your iPad needs to be turned on and at home for it to work.
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I've an iPad Pro 9.7" but I don't want use that as a hub. It must be home all the time then, and connected to power.
 
Ritte said:
I've an iPad Pro 9.7" but I don't want use that as a hub. It must be home all the time then, and connected to power.
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Correct, I was just throwing that info out there for those with atv3 and losing support.
 
Telos101 said:
AFAIK HomeKit doesn't support Apple TV 3 as the central hub in iOS 10. Apple seems to be saying the same thing here. How does HomeKit remote access work outside of the Home app?

original.jpg
Click to expand...
I've been trying to figure this out for days. Damned if I know what I'm doing wrong. Everything's updated. ATV4. iOS10. iDevices switch. Everything works swimmingly in house, leave and it's a big ol' nothing.
 
Ritte said:
Didn't Apple state in WDC in June that you need ATV3 connection to be able to connect remotely. I've invested in HomeKit devices, and upgrades to iOS 10 since.
They can't just take it back. I don't want to buy an atv4 just to use something that would work on the hardware I already have.

It's not a matter of money but a matter of principle. You don't lie to your customers.


I'll skip HomeKit entirely now.
Click to expand...

read people, its just not home app compatible, it never was !
 
Ritte said:
I think Apple stated in WDC that home app could be accessed remotely by an ATV3 or ATV4.
Click to expand...

That might be the case but I am referring to the comments here where people actually tested this setup and confirmed they still have remote access through atv3 - they won't have access to atv3 through the home app though.

I would recommend for a 100 other reasons to upgrade to atv4 either way - the atv3 is not worth keeping in my opinion.
 
MacSince1985 said:
Yet, it was still for sale in Apple stores last week. So it can still be considered a recent product.
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No. that assumption would be wrong. One is named Apple TV 3. And the other is named Apple TV 4. Since everything Apple sells, except Macs, has a numerical indication of generation. It would be silly to think the ATV3 is a new product
 
saabi said:
Lucily my third gen Apple TV doesn't know this so I can reach my Philips Hue remotely. :-D
Click to expand...

Neither does mine ;-)

My 3rd gen AppleTV shows up as Connected under HOME HUBS in the Home settings in the Apple Home app. I can access my all accessories remotely (or when disabling wifi and bluetooth on my iDevices). Also, my 3rd gen AppleTV does seem to execute home kit triggers, but not reliably, unfortunately. I cannot setup detailed authorisations for other users, like remote access or the ability to change the configuration. I had homekit setup under iOS 9 and haven't reset my homekit configuration since the iOS 10 upgrade, so it might be a migration side effect.

I also noticed a change in homekit rules, next to the obvious change that they're no longer local to your iDevice, but shared through iCloud: they now only allow for one trigger. While pre-iOS 10 apps (e.g. Elgato's Eve, Matthias' Home) still allow specifying multiple triggers, only the first one is visible in the Apple Home app. Checking back in the other app, the other triggers are indeed removed. Apple's Home app doesn't allow specifying conditions, but it will list them, when entered through another app, and they are taken into account when triggering rules.
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Chupa Chupa said:
Apple licensing requirements and equipment approval slows down Homekit development, not it being compatible on a wider swath of settop boxes. (Take a look at Amazon's Alexa line). ATV is just pushing signals for HK - not a lot of heavy lifting needed there.

The ATV4 may be "peanuts" for anyone investing in home automation but if they already own an ATV3 -- that worked with HK fine before iOS 10, and still works otherwise, then why should they be essentially forced to have to buy a new one?

And if they own an ATV3 and just want a taste of HK -- not ready to commit, well, this kills that. How does that help HK compat. hardware makers? No wonder Amazon is leading the race here. You can go buy a Dot for $59 and there are more devices compatible b/c of less stringent licensing requirements.

Also, Apple should have discontinued ATV3 when ATV4 was released last year if they planned on doing this rather than string people along. It really isn't understandable or classy.
Click to expand...

Besides pushing signals, the Homekit Hub also runs homekit Automation (rules) as of iOS 10.
 
2010mini said:
No. that assumption would be wrong. One is named Apple TV 3. And the other is named Apple TV 4. Since everything Apple sells, except Macs, has a numerical indication of generation. It would be silly to think the ATV3 is a new product
Click to expand...
You assume everyone buying Apple products knows the history and naming conventions. That's not even close to being true. It could be easily assumed the 3 and 4 are differing levels of the same product. Nothing silly about it.

What's silly is thinking a product, purchased as late as last week, will lose some of it's functionality with a software update. To be clear, it's Apple's prerogative to whatever they want with their software. However it is pretty crappy to retroactively notify customers of changes that remove functionality. A simple heads up would have been a better thing to do.
 
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About beta 7 my 3rd gen Apple TV started reporting 'failed' when I would use the Home app to use my iDevice switches. Noticeable was a new long pause at the end of the activation cycle like the Home app was waiting for a response it used to be getting that it now wasn't.

The switches still work though. Typing right now with wifi and BT off and toggling the hall light on an iDevice using the Home app, it just reports it 'failed' when it hasn't.

I am still going to hold off buying a 'long in tooth' 4th gen as long as this 3 still works and hope the 5th gen is out for the holidays.
 
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