Attention all smart home enthusiasts! A significant change is about to rock your world, and it's time to prepare. Apple is pulling the plug on the original HomeKit architecture, and your beloved smart home setup might be affected!
Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, a seasoned reviewer with over two decades of expertise, has the inside scoop. She's covered smart home tech for Wirecutter, Wired, Dwell, BBC, and US News, so you know this is the real deal.
Starting tomorrow, February 10, 2026, Apple will no longer support the old HomeKit. This means if you haven't updated to the new Apple Home, your smart devices might become inaccessible via the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. Ouch!
The biggest hit will be felt by those using iPads as their Apple Home Hub. In the new setup, iPads are out, and you'll need a HomePod or Apple TV to take on that crucial role. Plus, your phone and any connected devices must be running iOS 16.2 or later (or macOS 13.1/watchOS 9.2 or higher).
To avoid any disruptions, you'll need to update your Apple Home. It's a simple process: head to Settings in the Home app and follow the update steps. After February 10, Apple might even do it for you automatically!
The new Apple Home architecture, fully launched with iOS 16.4 in 2023, is a complete overhaul. Apple promises improved performance, reliability, and support for Matter, the new smart home standard they helped develop. It's a big deal, and Apple has been pushing for an upgrade since last year, when they announced the phase-out of the old HomeKit by the end of 2025. The deadline was delayed, but now it's here.
So, are you ready to embrace the new Apple Home? Or do you have concerns about the transition? Share your thoughts in the comments! It's a controversial move, and we'd love to hear your take on it.
