Smart home PSA: Apple’s “new architecture” for Home app becomes mandatory today

For those who haven’t upgraded, Apple’s support document describes what you need to do: Make sure each device you plan to use the Home app on is running a supported operating system (“iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, or watchOS 9.2 or later”), open the Home app, and tap the update prompt. Apple says some users “may be automatically upgraded to the latest version of Apple Home” but did not specify under what circumstances an automatic change would occur.

Apple has never gone into explicit detail about what the updated Home architecture does, but the additions the company has made to its Home ecosystem (formerly HomeKit) over the past couple of years generally only work with the updated architecture and app. According to Apple’s support page, this includes “guest access, robot vacuums, and activity history in the Home app.”

For features that require a “home hub,” like sharing control of a home with other Apple users, receiving notifications, or adding accessories compatible with the Matter smart home standard, moving to the new architecture will also require you to have a HomePod (full size or mini) or a modern Apple TV box on your network. The old version of Home/HomeKit allowed iPads to function as home hubs, but they can’t be used that way with the new architecture.