iPads Will Work as Home Hubs in iOS 16, But Won't Support New Home Architecture

[MacRumors]

Though code in iOS 16 has indicated that the iPad won't work as a home hub following the update, an Apple spokesperson today told The Verge that the iPad will indeed still be able to be used as a home hub, but with a caveat - it will not support new architecture that is being introduced later this year.

The spokesperson said that Apple is planning to "introduce a new architecture," which could be referring to Matter, a new smart home standard that will allow for better interoperability between smart home devices from different companies and manufacturers. Apple is expected to introduce Matter support later this year.

iOS 16 and iPadOS 16 will continue to support iPad as a home hub with no loss in functionality. Alongside these releases, the Home app will introduce a new architecture for an even more efficient and reliable experience. Because iPad will not be supported as a home hub with the new architecture, users who rely on iPad for that purpose do not need to update the Home architecture and can continue enjoying all existing features.

Those who use an iPad for their smart home setups will need to avoid updating to the new architecture, which will be available as an upgrade in the Home app's settings in an update to iOS 16 and iPadOS 16. Customers who want to continue using an iPad will need to avoid this future update, which sounds like it is coming in an iOS 16.1 or iOS 16.2 software release.

Apple has already made it clear that iPads will not be compatible with Matter, as the iOS 16 preview page states that Matter accessories rely on an Apple TV 4K or HomePod as a home hub, with no mention of the iPad. So in conclusion, for the time being, the iPad can be used as a home hub, but things are likely to change later this year with future iOS 16 updates.

The Apple TV 4K, Apple TV HD, HomePod, and HomePod mini will all work as home hubs with the new architecture that Apple has in the works.

Article Link: iPads Will Work as Home Hubs in iOS 16, But Won't Support New Home Architecture

 

[Aluminum213]

I love apple’s strategy of purposely crippling iPadOS features, brilliant!!

 

[appleguy123]

I don't agree that that statement suggested that iPad users would have to dodge OS upgrades. It sounds like upgrading your home to Matter in the Home App will be opt in and/or require some work from the user. There also seem to be HomeKit devices that have been discontinued or not updated to support thread. I’m not aware of any official word from Apple on what will happen to these devices when we switch to Matter. When we choose to upgrade to “the new home architecture”, it may leave some of our older devices in an obsolete status. People who use the iPad as a hub are one group of people who will not opt into Matter but I doubt they’re the only ones.

 

[PsykX]

I love apple’s strategy of purposely crippling iPadOS features, brilliant!!

I gotta say I always found it strange that a mobile device could act as a Home Hub. It could cause a lot of instability.
A Hub needs to be up and running 24/7. The HomePod and the Apple TV meet this criteria.
Not even Macs meet this criteria, because you're supposed to turn off your computer after use.

 

[felipur]

I love apple’s strategy of purposely crippling iPadOS features, brilliant!!

Apple, like everyone, is moving to use Matter. Matter is based on openThread. Thread requires IEEE 802.15.4. IEEE 802.15.4 requires a different physical radio than the iPad has (or the mac or the iPhone). Apple isn't crippling anything, purposely or not. The hardware necessary just isn't there.

 

[Jana_CZ]

I gotta say I always found it strange that a mobile device could act as a Home Hub. It could cause a lot of instability.
A Hub needs to be up and running 24/7. The HomePod and the Apple TV meet this criteria.
Not even Macs meet this criteria, because you're supposed to turn off your computer after use.

What?? I can’t remember the last time I turned off my macbook, and I leave my iPad at home 99% of the time (and I don’t care that it doesn’t work as a hub in that remaining 1%). If you won’t mind, I myself am fully capable of deciding whether that kind of setup works for me or not, and so are other users. 🙄

 

[JustSomebody12]

I gotta say I always found it strange that a mobile device could act as a Home Hub. It could cause a lot of instability.
A Hub needs to be up and running 24/7. The HomePod and the Apple TV meet this criteria.
Not even Macs meet this criteria, because you're supposed to turn off your computer after use.

More than instability if it remains powered off, then the whole house stays disconnected.

 

[Chrjy]

Not even Macs meet this criteria, because you're supposed to turn off your computer after use.

Since when?

 

[antiprotest]

I gotta say I always found it strange that a mobile device could act as a Home Hub. It could cause a lot of instability.
A Hub needs to be up and running 24/7. The HomePod and the Apple TV meet this criteria.
Not even Macs meet this criteria, because you're supposed to turn off your computer after use.

Never turn off your computer after use.

 

[antiprotest]

Since when?

He's just trying to defend Apple. But his defense would have to mean that he thinks Apple was WRONG before this.

 

[antiprotest]

More than instability if it remains powered off, then the whole house stays disconnected.

But...but what if it stays...ON? 🤯

 

[MallardDuck]

Well, it couldn't be any less stable or reliable than it is today . I can see why people might use an old ipad as a home hub, but can't blame apple for this....anything that might make it actually reliable and usable is worth it.

 

[apparatchik]

I gotta say I always found it strange that a mobile device could act as a Home Hub. It could cause a lot of instability.
A Hub needs to be up and running 24/7. The HomePod and the Apple TV meet this criteria.
Not even Macs meet this criteria, because you're supposed to turn off your computer after use.

Yes, my take is that at the time, before the Home Pod and the Home Pod Mini, the only device able to be used as a Home Hub was the latest Apple TV. Thus they decided to also allow the iPad to work as one.

Going forward there seems like a new full sized Home Pod will make a comeback as will a new Matter-compatible Apple TV. In short there might be new functionality coming along the new standard that makes the iPad not suitable anymore to work as one.

 

[Michael Scrip]

RE: mobile devices as home hub

So if someone takes the iPad to work... then nobody can turn on the smart lights in the home?

🤨

 

[Naraxus]

Of course. Gotta get that upsell in somehow don't ya Timmy

 

[chucker23n1]

I gotta say I always found it strange that a mobile device could act as a Home Hub. It could cause a lot of instability.
A Hub needs to be up and running 24/7. The HomePod and the Apple TV meet this criteria.

I can kind of see this, but iPads don't turn off. They only go into standby.

Also, if that's the reason, what about desktop Macs? An iMac is surely the perfect Home hub. It's stationary, and it's often near other home stuff.

Not even Macs meet this criteria, because you're supposed to turn off your computer after use.

Computers haven't been designed to be "turned off after use" for a long, long time.

 

[rexhunt]

This is for all the people early adopters who mounted iPad's to the walls in their house's to control the home automations in their house. I assume someone pointed out that it would not have been a good idea to burn the people who had pro installers build this sort of setup into there house when there is a new standard that breaks down barriers to entry to new ecosystems right around the corner.

 

[zv470]

It’s also likely the original homepod won’t be supported… no thread support.

 

[zv470]

This is for all the people early adopters who mounted iPad's to the walls in their house's to control the home automations in their house. I assume someone pointed out that it would not have been a good idea to burn the people who had pro installers build this sort of setup into there house when there is a new standard that breaks down barriers to entry to new ecosystems right around the corner.

Wall mounted iPads can still run the new home app with Matter support (as long as they can run v16) They just won’t act as a hub. Not a huge deal as people have HomePod mini or the new Apple TV.

 

[PsykX]

Computers haven't been designed to be "turned off after use" for a long, long time.

I know it doesn't damage the hardware or anything, but I have a problem with leaving my computer up and running for nothing. I think a lot of people leave it on all the time, but I also think the majority turns it off like I do.

Also, the disk activity is suspended on Macs by default. I believe acting as a hub requires disk usage somehow, no matter how small amounts of data are for doing such task. Or does it all happen in the RAM !?

 

[PsykX]

What?? I can’t remember the last time I turned off my macbook, and I leave my iPad at home 99% of the time (and I don’t care that it doesn’t work as a hub in that remaining 1%).

I never leave my iPad on. I don't use it very often, so if I make the mistake of leaving it on, the next time I'll grab it, it's going to be at 1% battery. Happened too many times before.

If you won’t mind, I myself am fully capable of deciding whether that kind of setup works for me or not, and so are other users. 🙄

I know it's not that complicated, but Home Automation is already unstable as it is, especially HomeKit. I usually find the dozens of 3rd-party apps that I have, much quicker and much more reliable than HomeKit. If you add a simple variable in the equation, it's gonna mess it up even more. It's the kind of thing that has to "just work". Right now, it doesn't.

 

[Chrjy]

I think a lot of people leave it on all the time, but I also think the majority turns it off like I do.

Not according to Craig....

 

[Unggoy Murderer]

Never turn off your computer after use.

Well, it depends? If someone uses their computer once a week, switch it off and save a little bit of power draw. If they use it all the time then sleep mode is right for them.

 

[hektor6tygr]

RE: mobile devices as home hub

So if someone takes the iPad to work... then nobody can turn on the smart lights in the home?

🤨

I think a hub just enables automations and away-from-home control! Without the hub you’re just using wifi and Bluetooth to control the accessories.

 

[Michael Scrip]

I think a hub just enables automations and away-from-home control! Without the hub you’re just using wifi and Bluetooth to control the accessories.

Ah I see.

So if the iPad is at home and you're out... you can control stuff remotely while you're out.

But if iPad is gone... and someone is still at home... they can control stuff from their phone in the house.

I get it.