Apple has marked iOS 16.2's Home architecture update as a major issue by adding it to an internal list of issues typically only reserved for widespread and noteworthy problems, indicating the update caused widespread and systemic issues to users' HomeKit devices and setup.
Earlier this month, Apple released iOS 16.2, which included an option for users to update their Home app to a new, more "stable" architecture. Apple previewed the new architecture in June, and it was offered as a user-initiated option for users as an update to the Home app following iOS 16.2's release.
Despite Apple claiming the update would improve the Home app experience, a significant amount of users reported their HomeKit devices, scenes, and setups were broken after the update. The widespread issues caused by the update forced Apple to ultimately pull the upgrade, saying it would return in the future.
Now, MacRumors has learned Apple has added the Home app update to a database of both hardware and software issues internally, a rare move for a software-related problem. The list, used by Apple, Apple Stores, and authorized service providers, typically only includes widespread issues faced by customers, including mostly hardware problems.
Apple claims the update improves the Home app to offer "faster, more reliable performance," alongside slight adjustments to the Home app design. It's unclear when Apple will fix the issues with the update and make it available to users again. Until the update is fixed, the company has provided instructions that users who are experiencing issues after the update should follow.
Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by Joe Rossignol
While the iOS 26.3 Release Candidate is now available ahead of a public release, the first iOS 26.4 beta is likely still at least a week away. Following beta testing, iOS 26.4 will likely be released to the general public in March or April.
Below, we have recapped known or rumored iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 features so far.
iOS 26.3
iPhone to Android Transfer Tool
iOS 26.3 makes it easier...
Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently acquired Israeli startup Q.ai for close to $2 billion, according to Financial Times sources. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone maker Beats in 2014.
This is also the largest known Apple acquisition since the company purchased Intel's smartphone modem business and patents for $1 billion in 2019....
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple turns 50 this year, and its CEO Tim Cook has promised to celebrate the milestone. The big day falls on April 1, 2026.
"I've been unusually reflective lately about Apple because we have been working on what do we do to mark this moment," Cook told employees today, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. "When you really stop and pause and think about the last 50 years, it makes your heart ...
Wednesday February 4, 2026 12:29 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple on Tuesday previewed 12 new shows and films that will be premiering on the Apple TV streaming service throughout 2026.
The new series:
Imperfect Women — March 18, 2026
Margo's Got Money Troubles — April 15, 2026
Widow's Bay — April 29, 2026
Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed — May 20, 2026
Cape Fear — June 5, 2026
Lucky — July 15, 2026
The new films:
Eternity — ...
Wednesday February 4, 2026 7:44 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today began selling certified refurbished iPhone 16, iPhone 16 Plus, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Pro Max models on its online store in the U.S., with prices discounted by 12% to 22% compared to Apple's current or former pricing for the devices.
Here were Apple's starting prices when the devices launched in September 2024:
iPhone 16: $799
iPhone 16 Plus: $899
iPhone 16 Pro:...
Something is broken re: Apple software development. I do not know how they architect/manage their different systems, but it appears to be broken (e.g. my experience of ever more bugs affecting MacOS releases). Not sure Apple mgmt cares since little seems to change.
I guess im one of the lucky ones who hasn't had any issues with the homekit upgrade and I have several devices in my home app. Fingers crossed things stay working!
Before Update: "Hey Siri, turn on the Den." Den lights turn on, AppleTV turns on itself and TV.
After Update: "Hey Siri, turn on the Den." Randomly starts playing Billboard Top 20 rap songs I didn't know existed nor desire to listen to on my HomePod mini stereo pair. Lights remain off. I have to make a scene that turns on these lights because asking to turn them on individually is kinda backwards, ESPECIALLY SINCE THEY'RE GROUPED TOGETHER in the room called DEN.
What's funny is I haven't listened to anything popular in over 10 years, and rap is not even a genre I consider music and thus never listen to it. So, I am wondering why I lost light control but gained "Hey, maybe they wanna listen to something they never listen to? Let's shove Billboard at them!"
Which doesn't make any sense. What appears to be happening here is lazy development with no real focus. Design by committee!
"People wanna have music just shoved at them when they turn on lights! Here, watch Tom Hanks make another movie about an emotionally stunted man! Here's some more content!"
Also, what's up with not having the ability to granularly add Home devices into Control Center? Isn't that its name? I get myQ being lazy and breaking up with HomeKit, but I would like to add just my Den to Control Center, not a random collection of whatever it thinks I need. Is it my phone or the AI Siri Suggestion's phone because I'm starting to wonder if Apple is eventually just gonna rent me the phone like I rent an apartment.
It’s been just awful since the update. HomePods don’t work, or are in and out, timers don’t work, AirPlay sometimes works, sometimes doesn’t. Siri more useless than ever. I’m just ignoring them until this is fixed.
