Apple to Re-Release Revamped HomeKit Architecture in iOS 16.4

Apple in its upcoming iOS 16.4 update will re-introduce the revamped HomeKit architecture it originally pulled in December due to widespread issues, MacRumors can confirm.

homekit showdown 2 thumb
Backend code indicates that Apple is ready to re-introduce the updated Home architecture that was released with the iOS 16.2 update, only to be pulled a week after launch because of bugs and installation issues.

At the time, Apple said the removal was temporary and that the upgrade option would "return soon," but new code references discovered by Nicolás Álvarez (@nicolas09F9) indicate that the architecture will indeed return with the release of iOS 16.4, beginning with the first beta that could arrive as soon as this week.

Apple says that the update improves the reliability and efficiency of communication between smart home accessories and Apple devices, and it is something that Apple has been working on since iOS 16 was announced at WWDC in June 2022.

When the Home architecture was first released, it caused some ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ devices to disappear from ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ setups or to become stuck with a "configuring/updating" status. It also resulted in invitations to share the Home with others failing, and it broke ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ Secure video recording for some users.

Popular Stories

iOS 26

iOS 26.3 and iOS 26.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday February 3, 2026 7:47 am PST by
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...
imac video apple feature

Apple Makes Its Second-Biggest Acquisition Ever

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:45 pm PST by
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....
iOS 26 Home Feature

Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users

Tuesday February 3, 2026 8:55 am PST by
In 2022, Apple introduced a new Apple Home architecture that is "more reliable and efficient," and the deadline to upgrade and avoid issues is fast approaching. In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart...
Apple Logo Zoomed

Tim Cook Teases Plans for Apple's Upcoming 50th Anniversary

Thursday February 5, 2026 12:54 pm PST by
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 ...
maxresdefault

M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro Launch Imminent as Reseller Stock Dwindles

Tuesday February 3, 2026 12:12 pm PST by
New M5 Pro and M5 Max MacBook Pro models are slated to launch in the near future, according to information shared with MacRumors by an Apple Premium Reseller. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. The third-party Apple retailer said that MacBook Pro stock is very low currently because there is an imminent new product introduction. Apple typically coordinates supply with...

Top Rated Comments

airwalk331 Avatar
39 months ago
Final_HomeKitArchitecture_final_v2x_finalfinal.pkg
Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nt5672 Avatar
39 months ago
If iCould is any example, then it will take about 5 years for HomeKit to work anywhere near what we expect.

I really wish Apple fans would refuse to put up with Apple's poor quality software releases.

Apple has the resources to get it right the first time, but for some reason they don't. Sure there may be missing features, but what they release should, outside of corner cases, just work.

It is almost like they are outsourcing software development to high schoolers and totally ignoring testing.
Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
39 months ago
I could (almost) forgive Apple for releasing an update that borked HomeKit - if they'd had a solution or rollback available within a matter of hours. However, the fact that they've so far taken weeks to fix what has been a catastrophic failure for some users has probably done irreparable reputational damage to HomeKit and home automation itself.

It also gives a very clear message on how serious Apple is about HomeKit.
Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrono1081 Avatar
39 months ago

It is almost like they are outsourcing software development to high schoolers and totally ignoring testing.
That's leetcode interviews for you, and Apple (and other big guys) do them. They favor people (generally college grads) who can answer tricky questions (since tricky questions are how you learn to code) over people who build real world, scalable systems each day for years. People doing the real work generally don't have the time to go back and review tricky questions just for interview purposes.

It's really stupid how the software dev field has become.
Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)
siddavis Avatar
39 months ago

I haven't been able to invite people to my Home since 16.2 dropped. I really hope this fixes it.
I'm in the same boat, but since 16.1. That and a whole slew of issues with Home, and I did not even update to the new architecture. None of my automations work, and all of my scenes only work halfway - always get a "failed" message.

Everything in my Apple ecosystem is a complete mess right now. I ask Siri on my Apple Watch to turn on X lights, and it tells me that I have no Homekit items set up yet. Funny, I have probably 20+ in Home. I always get notifications that I left my Airpod Pros behind even when I'm using them. Then I get notifications that an unknown Airpod Pro is with me... yeah, mine!

Don't even try to contact Apple Support. They are clueless and make promises that they simply have not intention and cannot keep. Since 16.1 and not being able to add anyone to my Home (even my son that is in my Family Share!), they told me engineers would look into it and I would get a phone call back. That was 5-6 weeks ago.

Then there's the promised "features" that either never materialize or come 6-12 months later.

Their SW releases are becoming a complete joke.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
chrono1081 Avatar
39 months ago

If one has successfully upgraded their architecture in 16.2 - no need to do it again in 16.4, right?
I don't think this is the case. 16.2 has some serious flaws. Many people had no issues but the rest of us did. I can't plug in a HomePod without it bringing down my entire network.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)