Apple to End Support for Old HomeKit Architecture by February 2026
January 9, 2026
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Apple has announced that support for the previous version of the Apple Home app will officially end on February 10, 2026. This marks an extension from the earlier timeline, which indicated support would cease in fall 2025, giving users a few extra months to transition.
Transition Requirements
To avoid disruptions with their smart home accessories and automations, users must upgrade to the new HomeKit architecture by next February. The revamped architecture was introduced in March 2023 alongside iOS 16.4, meaning Apple has supported both the old and new systems for the past two years.
Previous stability issues, which initially discouraged some users from upgrading, have since been resolved, making the transition smoother.
Implications of Support Termination
Once support ends, the Home app will no longer function on devices running older versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS. Minimum supported versions include:
- iOS 16.2
- iPadOS 16.2
- macOS 13.1
- tvOS 16.2
- watchOS 9.2
Devices running older operating systems will lose access to their HomeKit-enabled accessories and automations.
New Features and Benefits
The updated HomeKit architecture brings several enhancements:
- Guest access
- Support for robot vacuum cleaners
- Activity History
- Faster, more reliable performance, especially for homes with numerous HomeKit and Matter accessories
Updating Your HomeKit System
To update, open the Home app, tap the More button, select Home Settings, then choose Software Update. Apple also states that users who do not manually update may be automatically upgraded to the latest Apple Home version.
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