Apple Home: Architecture upgrade could soon become mandatory

The days of the first Homekit architecture seem counted. In the beta of iOS 18.4 there are first indications that Apple could soon urge smart home users to update the Homekit architecture. “Support for your current version of Apple Home will soon end. Update now to avoid disturbances in your accessories and automations,” says the code of the preliminary version, it is said Like a user reports on X. Reference is made to a “recommended” update for Apple Home.

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New home architecture with a bumpy start

However, specific details about the update are not listed there. So far, there have been no beta testers' reports that the operating system actually indicates this note in a dialogue.

In this respect, it remains open whether another update is planned for home or the warning relates to the fact that Apple will then set support for the original Homekit architecture.

Two years ago, Apple introduced a new “basic” home architecture to ensure better performance and reliability in its own smart home devices. The start was Holprig: Due to considerable problems with the release of your own smart home for family and friends, Apple had to withdraw and improve the update. For this, the manufacturer took a good three months. In the second attempt, the architecture upgrade with most users seemed to run without side effects.

Older devices can no longer control smart home

However, the initial horror stories about locked-out smart home partners may have put into some time to carry out the upgrade at all. Other users may have remained on the old architecture in order to continue to use an iPad as a control center for their networked home – this is no longer possible with “Homekit 2”. In the meantime, only HomePods and Apple TVs are accepted as home hubs and control centers. According to the rumor mill, Apple is working on new smart home hardware with a display, which could also serve as a headquarters.

The newer Homekit architecture also requires at least iOS and iPados 16.4 and MacOS 13.3. Older devices such as the iPhone 7, which can no longer be brought to this software stand, are locked out: You can then no longer control the home via Apple Home.