Home instead of HomeKit: Is Apple changing its smart home branding?
HomeKit is the name of Apple's smart home interface, Home is the name of the app that controls it. A renaming has now been discovered in the tvOS 26 beta.
The Home app on the iPhone – here in an earlier iOS version.
(Image: Apple)
- Ben Schwan
Is Apple planning to rename or clarify its smart home system? In the fifth developer beta of tvOS 26, which was released last week, Apple has removed references to HomeKit and instead uses the term Apple Home. Apple may want to reduce confusion of terms here, although both terms have been used since 2014.
What HomeKit and Apple Home stand for
“HomeKit” stands for the technical basis behind Apple's smart home system. The framework is found both in the compatible devices themselves in the form of their firmware and in the (occasionally occurring) respective apps for iPhone, iPad, or Mac that can be used to control them. “Apple Home” in turn reflects the entire ecosystem and is also used as a brand on the device packaging (“Works with Apple Home”).
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Even more confusing: the central control app for Apple's smart home ecosystem is also called Apple Home (or Home app). The latter does not yet exist in tvOS; instead, devices have so far been controlled via the Control Center. However, Apple has long been expected to give its Apple TV multimedia box a “real” Home app.
Rebranding thanks to new Home device?
In tvOS 26 Developer Beta 5, “HomeKit” has now been replaced with “Apple Home” in several places. This applies to the central settings menu, for example, as well as to sub-items. For example, a warning dialog about connecting to iCloud and Apple's smart home system states: “Your Apple TV will not connect to iCloud and Apple Home unless you create a default user.” Previously it said “HomeKit” instead of “Apple Home.”
It is conceivable that Apple is carrying out this clean-up to prepare for the release of a new Home device that has been long awaited. It should enable simple control of Apple Home using tablet-like hardware. There are also reports of new HomePod models that will have a screen for the first time. However, it is also conceivable that both devices will be combined: as a control device and speaker dock. However, it is unclear whether the devices will be released this year. They are probably dependent on new functions for Siri, which Apple has had to postpone.
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