Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Macworld reports that Apple is ending support for its original HomeKit architecture today, requiring users to update their devices to iOS 16.2 or later to maintain smart home access.
- The new Home app architecture offers improved performance, guest access features, and Activity History, but now requires HomePod or Apple TV as home hubs instead of iPad.
- Users who don’t upgrade their devices and Home app will lose access to their smart home controls and features permanently.
Attention, Apple Home users: Today (February 10, 2026) is the last day that Apple will support its original HomeKit architecture. Starting on Wednesday, Apple will be rolling out a new version of Home for your smart home devices.
According to Apple, “Any device connected to an updated home that doesn’t use iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, or watchOS 9.2 or later will lose access to the updated home until you update the device. This includes people that you invite to control your home.” A HomePod or Apple TV hardware needs to be set up as a home hub if you want to share control of your home or receive Home notifications. An iPad can no longer be used as a home hub.
Apple switched to the new Home app architecture, which is visually identical but offers better performance and some new features, such as guest access, support for robot vacuum cleaners, and Activity History, way back in iOS 16.2, but rolled back the changes after initial issues. It has since been issuing warnings to users still using the old version of the app, but after today, it won’t work at all.
How to update the Home app:
- Open the Home app.
- Tap/click the “…” button.
- Select Home Settings. If you have multiple homes, pick one.
- Select Software Update.
- Tap/click Update Now and follow the prompts.
- When finished, a message will say the Home app and accessories are up to date.
About a year ago, reports indicated that Apple planned to force users to upgrade to the new Home architecture with the release of iOS 18.4, but that was delayed until this year.
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