Apple plans to launch new Home products this year and even new homeOS software. But it seems those aren't the only changes coming, as the company has confirmed via a support document that iOS 19 will end support for its legacy Home app architecture, requiring an update.
Two-year-old Home update will soon be required for all users
All the way back in iOS 16.2, Apple shipped a major overhaul to how its underlying Apple Home technology worked.
At the time, this change was said to make HomeKit devices “even more efficient and reliable.”
However, the rollout created some unforeseen issues for a subset of users, so Apple pulled the changes until they re-emerged in iOS 16.4.
For the past two years though, the revised Apple Home system has seemingly delivered on its promise.
It has also—for now—been entirely optional.
You may have seen a notification in the Home app encouraging you to update your Apple Home. For a while the prompt was discrete, but in-app messaging has sought to stress greater urgency recently.
Now we know why: iOS 19 will no longer support the legacy Home system. That means users need to update soon, or else their Home app accessories may stop working upon installing new iPhone software.
Apple's 'Update Apple Home' website says:
Support for the previous version of Apple Home will end in the fall of 2025. Update now to avoid interruptions with your accessories and automations.
In addition to the promise of improved reliability with your Home accessories, several recent new Home features are exclusive to the new update. For example, guest access, robot vacuum cleaners, and Activity History.
How to update to new Apple Home version
The process of updating your Apple Home is simple. Just follow the steps outlined below:
- Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
- Tap or click the More button (three-dot icon)
- Select Home Settings
- Select Software Update
- Tap or click Update Now, then follow the prompts; if you have multiple homes, they will all be updated at once
Apple says that after updating, you'll see the following message: “This home and all accessories are up to date.”
Have you held off updating your Apple Home version? Why is that? Let us know in the comments.
