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iOS 18.4 Could Force Users to Upgrade to Latest HomeKit Architecture

I initially had an issue or two when the new architecture rolled out, but it was mostly between two homes on different architectures. For the time since that happened things have continued to get more stable, I have also been cycling older non Thread, non Matter devices out of my home automation. I am waiting on a cheap reliable Tread based wall switch to use to get rid of the last few WiFi connections ones, but smooth sailing other than that.
 
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Is this the reason my living room lights bo longer go back to the set brightness, color etc after "I leave home turnoff" and "I return home turn on"?
 
I have about 30 devices attached to HomeKit in my home (light switches, cameras, stereo, plugs, lightbulbs, etc). My set up got massively more stable when I switched to the new architecture. I used to have lights switches that would drop off the system and would not reconnect without removing and re-attaching them. Lights that would go off and then come back on a few seconds later periodically for no reason. I suspected electrical problems, hacking, all manner of things and was constantly looking for fixes and evidence of intrusion in firewall logs. I upgraded to the new architecture and that **** is just all gone. Everything just works. I cannot recommend the new architecture enough.
 
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Stop using "Home" after the update in iOS16. Nothing worked right and got sick of the issues. Now I just use the dedicated apps for my smart devices everything works just fine.
 
Nope, not me. I don't and won't use HomeKit because I don't want to be in Apple walled garden with its nanny rules, and I want software that actually works and does not have functionality pulled out at Apple's whim in order to force people to Apple services.
 
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I got it when I upgraded iOS. It works just fine if you learn how to use it. If you're holding on to an older OS, you have a choice: upgrade or live without it.
 
xmarcuswildx said:
Only way to make HomeKit useful has been homebridge. The fact that so many devices can’t be used natively is aggravating. Works with EVERY OTHER SMART HOME SET UPS/HUBS.

Nope not Apple. Gotta basically jailbreak it to get it work.

“Something something security!”

It’s a damn light switch.
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Which light switch?
 
nt5672 said:
Nope, not me. I don't and won't use HomeKit because I don't want to be in Apple walled garden with its nanny rules, and I want software that actually works and does not have functionality pulled out at Apple's whim in order to force people to Apple services.
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Good for you now go to tie your smart house to something less safe and secure. Also, Apple uses open standards for most hardware in HomeKit, so things you buy will work with other systems.
 
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This is why I'm only buying Matter enabled devices

I want to at least have some options if Apple somehow ever screws up in this space
 
xmarcuswildx said:
Only way to make HomeKit useful has been homebridge. The fact that so many devices can’t be used natively is aggravating. Works with EVERY OTHER SMART HOME SET UPS/HUBS.

Nope not Apple. Gotta basically jailbreak it to get it work.

“Something something security!”

It’s a damn light switch.
Click to expand...
This.

I have no problem with upgrading to newer versions of the HomeKit architecture. I did the upgrade last year and yes there were a couple of bumps but nothing earth shattering. I have to say that the newer system does work better for me - and I have a lot of automations and devices.

That said, the comment about Homebridge is also spot-on. So very few companies produce things that are HomeKit compliant and I can only presume that's because of the cost of approval and the tortuous processes involved. A heck of a lot of my kit is linked via Homebridge and I have to say that project is very impressive. Homebridge does indeed "just work".
 
MacRumors said:


Apple is expected to release iOS 18.4 in early April, and when it does, users with HomeKit devices still running on the old Home app architecture may be forced to upgrade them to the latest software.

homekit-showdown-redux.jpg

Apple has offered users the option to upgrade to new Home architecture since March 2023 when it released iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, and macOS Ventura 13.3. At the time, Apple said the new architecture brings faster, more reliable performance, especially for smart homes with a lot of smart accessories installed.

However, not all users were entirely convinced of its stability, mainly because it was actually the return of the update's availability after Apple temporarily pulled it in December 2022. Apple's decision came after reports of HomeKit devices becoming stuck in an "updating" or "configuring" status, devices going missing entirely, invitations to share the Home with other users failing, HomeKit Secure Video recording not working, and more.

Apart from the above issues, many users opted not to install the update because the new architecture breaks support for the Home app on devices running older versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. However, code in iOS 18.4 beta 3 unearthed by MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris suggests Apple is going to end support for the original HomeKit architecture. Code strings include the warning "Support for your current version of Apple Home will end soon. Update now to avoid interruptions with your accessories and automations."

It's not clear if the policy will immediately come into effect when iOS 18.4 is officially released next month, but the existence of the code strings is telling, suggesting that iOS 19 almost certainly won't support the old HomeKit architecture when it arrives in September.

Article Link: iOS 18.4 Could Force Users to Upgrade to Latest HomeKit Architecture
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Has anyone else had issues with their HomeKit devices, like smart light switches, rapidly turning on and off over 5 to 15 seconds? This usually seems to happen to me on the weekends around Noon PST. It makes me wonder if Apple devs are messing with the HomeKit backend servers??? It's freaky to have my 25 Leviton smart switches go berserk...
 
xmarcuswildx said:
Only way to make HomeKit useful has been homebridge. The fact that so many devices can’t be used natively is aggravating. Works with EVERY OTHER SMART HOME SET UPS/HUBS.

Nope not Apple. Gotta basically jailbreak it to get it work.

“Something something security!”

It’s a damn light switch.
Click to expand...
Luckily, Apple did announce if new products are Matter certified, they will be certified for HomeKit going forward without additional testing from Apple.
 
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I went nuts and upgraded on day 1 and surprisingly, it went smoothly. The new architecture absolutely solved longstanding response and availability issues I'd had since the beginning of the original HomeKit. Now with Matter 1.4, it's getting to the point where it'll be a seamless transition for people with a multi-ecosystem home.
 
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airwalk331 said:
This is annoying. I feel like there’s zero chance this is going keep my automations etc in line and I’ll basically have to redo everything.

I just hope all the home stuff works now. My devices never seem to know which one I’m talking to. That seems like a basic thing for this “home” ecosystem, right??
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I upgraded to it when it originally launched haven’t had a single problem
 
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Was using an ipad as a hub before the uograde and thats unsupported in the new version. Now I cant share the Home with my spouse which is frustrating. Wish I didn’t upgrade, everything was working fine.
 
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nt5672 said:
Nope, not me. I don't and won't use HomeKit because I don't want to be in Apple walled garden with its nanny rules, and I want software that actually works and does not have functionality pulled out at Apple's whim in order to force people to Apple services.
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There is nothing about using HomeKit that prevents you from using other home systems as well. I have HomeKit and Alexa setup. All the accessories are 3rd party hardware except HomePods and Apple TVs. I have a feeling you just wanted an excuse to leave a negative comment. I find HomeKit to be faster and more reliable then both Alexa and Google home
 
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Will Co said:
This.

I have no problem with upgrading to newer versions of the HomeKit architecture. I did the upgrade last year and yes there were a couple of bumps but nothing earth shattering. I have to say that the newer system does work better for me - and I have a lot of automations and devices.

That said, the comment about Homebridge is also spot-on. So very few companies produce things that are HomeKit compliant and I can only presume that's because of the cost of approval and the tortuous processes involved. A heck of a lot of my kit is linked via Homebridge and I have to say that project is very impressive. Homebridge does indeed "just work".
Click to expand...
Apple has offered the ability to be HomeKit compatible without a software only solution for years now. Also any matter device can get plugged directly into HomeKit. More and more stuff is just using matter
 
WarmWinterHat said:
How can you tell if you've upgraded or not?
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When you open the Home app you'll be prompted to upgrade to the new HomeKit architecture if aren't using it. You can also go to Home Settings>Software Update within the Home app and they'll be a message about the update there as well if you haven't upgraded.

If you get no automatic message or have no updates available under Software Update within the Home app then you are already using the new architecture update.
 
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Oh well.

The latest two betas have put badges on my Settings and Home icons telling me that I should upgrade.

What's in the new architecture? Basically, the old architecture required your phone/ipad/whatever to poll each device to find out what state it was in. The new architecture just asks your home hub, which keeps itself updated. This, theoretically, speeds things up.

Why hadn't I upgraded? Two reasons: first, I've no home hub so the new architecture does nothing different and second I have a 1st gen iPad mini (iOS 9) stuck to my wall which I occasionally use to turn lights on/off and other stuff. Now I've upgraded, that no longer works.
 
I updated my HomePod last week and in order to use the home app with full functionality I was “forced” to upgrade to the new architecture. Everything has been fine but I still don’t like the forced upgrade for simple usability.

I used to be quick to update/upgrade when new software came out. Now, unless there’s a security update or feature worth the upgrade I wait for everyone else to test it out.
 
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