The older Apple Home architecture will live for a few more months. Apple previously planned on phasing out the architecture in late 2025.
Instead, the HomeKit architecture will stop functioning on February 10, 2026.
Apple’s old HomeKit setup gets an extended lease
After unveiling HomeKit at WWDC 2014 and pitching the new framework as a way to bring cohesiveness to the fragmented home-automation landscape, Apple failed to dominate the smart home scene.
Initially, some third-party accessory makers balked at HomeKit’s requirement to add a bespoke chip to their devices. Apple later relaxed that requirement, hoping to boost the number of smart home devices compatible with HomeKit.
More recently, the company’s rumored plans to release its own new home security devices as well as an iPad-like home hub got put on the back burner. Those setbacks reportedly came due to the delayed rollout of a smarter, AI-enhanced Siri. The smarter Siri — and possibly new Apple smart-home devices — should come next year.
Before Apple’s renewed push into smart home products, the company will force users to upgrade to the latest version of HomeKit.
Apple initially rolled out the new HomeKit architecture with iOS 16.2 and macOS Ventura 13.1 in late 2022. But it quickly pulled the change after user complaints.
The company reintroduced the upgraded Home architecture with iOS 16.4 in March 2023.
Users were greeted with the opt-in upgrade when they opened the Home app after installing iOS 16.4. Since then, Apple has supported both architectures simultaneously.
As noted in an Apple Support document updated Monday, that will change in February 2026, when the company will stop supporting the older architecture.
Support for the previous version of Apple Home will end on February 10, 2026.
Apple has not extensively detailed what’s included in the upgrade. It only mentions that the new architecture promises improved performance and reliability for controlling your HomeKit-compatible devices. Plus, it adds support for more features and smart home devices, such as robot vacuum cleaners, guest support, etc.
It also removes the ability to use an iPad as a home hub. Only an Apple TV or HomePod will work as a home hub in the new version.
Upgrade to the new Home architecture
If you haven’t already, you can upgrade to the new Home architecture from the Home app. Just tap the More button → Home Settings → select your Home → Software Update → and then tap Update Now.
Even if you don’t use HomeKit, you should upgrade to the new version as Apple will drop support for the older version by February 2026. If you have devices linked to your Home app, you must upgrade. Otherwise, those devices will stop working.
The new Home architecture is only compatible with iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2 macOS 13.1 and later.
Rajesh has been closely following and writing about the latest happenings in the world of mobile for nearly a decade now. While he prefers Android, he does not deny the superiority of Apple’s products and ecosystem.
