PSA: Apple Ending Support for Old HomeKit Architecture in Fall 2025, Upgrade Before Then - MacRumors
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PSA: Apple Ending Support for Old HomeKit Architecture in Fall 2025, Upgrade Before Then

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Apple will officially end support for the previous version of Apple Home in the fall of 2025, according to an updated HomeKit support document. Apple says that users will need to update to the new HomeKit architecture by then to avoid interruptions with accessories and automations.

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The updated ‌HomeKit‌ architecture was initially introduced in March 2023 alongside iOS 16.4, iPadOS 16.4, and macOS Ventura 13.3, but there were some issues with stability that may have prevented some users from upgrading. In fact, it actually came out briefly in December 2022, but there were issues with missing devices, home sharing invitations that didn't work, problems with HomeKit Secure Video, and more, so Apple removed it until 2023.

Since then, Apple has fixed the ‌HomeKit‌ architecture and the problems have been addressed, but it is worth noting that the architecture breaks support for the Home app on devices running older versions of iOS, iPadOS, and macOS.

Users will have to upgrade by the end of 2025, though, in order to keep using ‌HomeKit‌. The upgrade does bring some tangible features like guest access, support for robot vacuum cleaners, and Activity History. Apple says it also provides faster, more reliable performance, especially for smart homes with a lot of ‌HomeKit‌ and Matter accessories installed.

The upgrade can be installed in the Home app by tapping on the More button, choosing Home Settings, and then tapping on Software Update.

Tags: Home, HomeKit Guide

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Top Rated Comments

oldmacs Avatar
oldmacs
13 months ago

Good thing Apple will be releasing new HomeKit support for older iOS devices. :rolleyes:
When people defend Apple arbitrarily dropping support for hardware, saying "it's not like the device will just stop working", this is another great example of how these devices are rendered unusable through the services that stop working.
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lurker-Monkey Avatar
Lurker-Monkey
13 months ago
It doesn’t Matter.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
WilliApple Avatar
WilliApple
13 months ago
I was an early adopter of the HomeKit architecture and got to say, I notice no difference from the old one. You guys are safe to upgrade now to the new one if you’re holding off for whatever reason.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
crisneat Avatar
crisneat
13 months ago
That’s the contradiction that stands out to me:

Apple promotes itself as environmentally conscious, remember the whole Mother Nature skit during the iPhone event? but then makes decisions like this that push perfectly functional devices into obsolescence.

By ending support for the older Home architecture in 2025, they’re essentially forcing users to upgrade not just the Home app, but potentially entire devices if they’re running older iOS/macOS versions. That includes older iPads or Macs people might still use as HomeKit hubs. So what happens to those? They get tossed or shelved, not exactly eco-friendly.

It feels like the drive for performance and ecosystem control is overriding their sustainability message. It’s not just about updating software anymore, it’s about making sure all your devices are new enough to stay in the loop.

That’s a lot of e-waste.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
CarlJ Avatar
CarlJ
13 months ago
Just in case anyone is concerned, this is not a switch over to Matter or some other new communications protocol for the devices themselves, it's simply rearranging things so that most communication goes through a home hub of some sort, so that the hub will keep track of what is on/off/etc, and when your iPhone/iPad/etc. needs to know, it asks the hub and gets all the answers at once, rather than asking each individual device in turn.

I was a bit concerned a few months ago when this came up, wondering if some very old HomeKit switches would have problems with the change, but it all worked fine (yes, apparently there were some issues when the new architecture rolled out, but those seem to have been cleared up long ago).
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
JosephAW Avatar
JosephAW
13 months ago
Good thing Apple will be releasing new HomeKit support for older iOS devices. :rolleyes:
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
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