Apple HomeKit in iOS 18: These new features are coming this fall
Apple is continuing to work on its smart home platform. Some interesting innovations are planned for iOS 18 and the like.
Home app - here still in iOS 16.
(Image: Apple)
Apple is preparing a number of new features for its HomeKit smart home system, which will be available on devices with iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS 15. The functions include support for new hardware as well as improved setting options for the HomeKit home. The system will also be able to collect data from electricity and gas grids for the first time, albeit initially only in the USA.
Define favorite home hub, integrate guests
For the first time, it will be possible to define a "favorite home hub" within iOS 18. Home hubs are devices that connect the HomeKit network to the internet and are necessary for remote control. These can be HomePod devices and Apple TV boxes, but no longer iPads- at least with the new Home architecture. As reported by beta testers of iOS 18, the Home app now contains a selection menu that allows the "Preferred Home Hub" to be selected. This is then addressed by default. This can be helpful if one of the Home Hubs has better Wi-Fi coverage than the other, but HomeKit tends to use the Home Hub with poorer coverage. At the moment, however, the function only works with Apple TV devices, as Apple has not yet provided beta firmware for the HomePod (1 and 2) and HomePod mini.
Another new feature is called "Customize Access". This allows you to specify when a HomeKit guest can access certain devices such as door locks, garage openers or alarm systems. A new express mode for door locks is activated as soon as you come near them - so you no longer have to hold your Apple Watch or iPhone up to the lock. However, this only works if both the cell phone and watch as well as the lock have ultra-wideband (UWB) radio. The latter are still very rare.
More devices supported - plus electricity and gas
Apple now supports more devices for HomeKit control. These include robot vacuum cleaners including cleaning modes and mop mode. (It is to be hoped that more Matter data will also be passed on in future). Another new feature is the integration of data from the electricity and gas grid.
In the USA, providers such as PG&E supply consumption information directly to the Home app. This allows you to view your current consumption. It is not yet clear whether the feature will also come to Europe.
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