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.
Apple is planning to debut a high-end secondary version of AirPods Pro 3 this year, sitting in the lineup alongside the current model, reports suggest.
Back in September 2025, supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo reported that Apple is planning to introduce a successor to the AirPods Pro 3 in 2026. This would be somewhat unusual since Apple normally waits around three years to make major...
Tuesday January 20, 2026 2:34 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Over the last few months, rumors around the iPhone 18 Pro's front-panel design have been conflicted, with some supply-chain leaks pointing to under-display Face ID, reports suggesting a top-left hole-punch camera, and debate over whether the familiar Dynamic Island will shrink, shift, or disappear entirely.
Today, Weibo-based leaker Instant Digital shared new details that appear to clarify the ...
Wednesday January 21, 2026 10:54 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In addition to updating many of its existing products, Apple is expected to unveil five all-new products this year, including a smart home hub, a Face ID doorbell, a MacBook with an A18 Pro chip, a foldable iPhone, and augmented reality glasses.
Below, we have recapped rumored features for each product.
Smart Home Hub
Apple home hub (concept)
Apple's long-rumored smart home hub should...
Wednesday January 21, 2026 12:31 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple is working on a small, wearable AI pin equipped with multiple cameras, a speaker, and microphones, reports The Information. If it actually launches, the AI pin will likely run the new Siri chatbot that Apple plans to unveil in iOS 27.
The pin is said to be similar in size to an AirTag, with a thin, flat, circular disc shape. It has an aluminum and glass shell, and two cameras at the...
Tuesday January 20, 2026 4:36 pm PST by Juli Clover
Apple's App Store, iTunes Store, and Apple TV service are experiencing an outage at the current time, according to Apple's System Status page.
Apple says that some users may be experiencing issues with the App Store and iTunes Store. Apple also says some users may be seeing intermittent issues with Apple TV. The Apple TV Channels feature is down too, and users may be unable to access some...
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.