Apple Home: architecture upgrade could soon become mandatory
The beta of iOS 18.4 indicates the end of Apple's original HomeKit architecture. This would be a problem for users of older hardware.
Two years ago, Apple introduced the new Home architecture – after considerable teething problems.
(Image: Mac & i)
The days of the first HomeKit architecture appear to be numbered. In the iOS 18.4 beta, 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 is ending soon. Update now to avoid disruptions to your accessories and automations," reads the code in the pre-release version, as reported by a user on X. It refers to a "recommended" update for Apple Home.
New Home architecture with a bumpy start
However, no specific details about the update are listed there. So far, there have also been no reports from beta testers that the operating system actually displays this information in a dialog.
In this respect, it remains to be seen whether a further update for Home is planned or whether the warning refers to Apple discontinuing support for the original HomeKit architecture.
Two years ago, Apple introduced a new "basic" Home architecture designed to improve the performance and reliability of its own smart home devices. The start was bumpy: Apple had to withdraw the update and make improvements due to significant problems with the release of its own smart home for family and friends. The manufacturer took a good three months to do this. At the second attempt, the architecture upgrade seemed to work for most users without any side effects.
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Older devices can no longer control Smart Home
However, the initial horror stories about locked-out smart home partners may have put some people off upgrading at all. Other users are likely to have stuck with the old architecture to continue using an iPad as the control center for their networked home – This is no longer possible with "HomeKit 2". Meanwhile, 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 that could also serve as a control center.
The newer HomeKit architecture also requires at least iOS and iPadOS 16.4 as well as macOS 13.3. Older devices such as the iPhone 7, which can no longer be updated to this software version, will be locked out: They will no longer be able to control the home via Apple Home.
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