Old HomeKit architecture: Apple plans forced change
The new platform for Apple's smart home technology has been around since 2022. But not all users have switched over yet. That is set to change soon.
Home-App, hier in iOS 16.
(Image: Apple)
New HomeKit architecture? Was there something? Yes, with iOS 16.4, users were supposed to move to an improved basis for Apple's smart home system. However, not everyone did. With iOS 18.6, it now looks like the end of the old system is nigh. However, there were already indications in earlier iOS 18 versions that Apple was beginning a forced migration.
Partially automated changeover
As Apple now writes in the latest beta of iOS 18.6 in internal code details discovered by Macrumors, the end of the old HomeKit version will now come "in the fall". "Support for your current version of Apple Home will end this fall. Some devices will be updated automatically at that time, others will need to be updated manually. You can update now to avoid disruption to your devices, automations, and important notifications," the sentences read.
This would be the first time that Apple has announced a forced switch to the new HomeKit architecture. Previously, this always had to be initiated manually. The note shows that this will remain partly the case, but it is conceivable that devices that have not been updated will then lose their compatibility. iOS 26 will be released in the fall, so it is conceivable that this will also mark the ultimate switch to the new HomeKit architecture. It offers some improvements, including in terms of control speed – but it was not a huge success in terms of reliability.
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Rollout went wrong at first
Apple initially had great difficulty bringing the new HomeKit architecture to users. The first version was released at the end of 2022, but caused massive disruption to some smart home networks. It then took until March 2023 for Apple to fix the bugs and start a new attempt.
With the new architecture, the company promises, among other things, a faster response to devices if there are many of them in the network, provides an activity history and other innovations. iOS 16 or macOS 13 are the minimum requirements.
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