Smart home accessories that Apple reportedly helped LG develop could offer iPhone proximity controls and a way to begin setup before the devices have power, according to findings shared by the leaker known as "pdfu."
The findings concern the upcoming LG-branded accessory range that Bloomberg revealed earlier this week. The lineup reportedly includes a thermostat, temperature sensor, deadbolt lock, wired video doorbell, and several security cameras. Apple apparently co-developed the accessories.
One of the features, called "Proximity Control," will surface a shortcut when an iPhone is tapped against or brought close to an accessory. Pdfu says the Dynamic Island will present an "Open Controls" option for products such as thermostats. Cameras and doorbells will instead display a camera viewer.
The interaction will also apparently work on iPads and iPhones without a Dynamic Island, using a notification that remains visible for 30 seconds. A setting in the Home app will let users switch proximity controls off after configuring the accessory.
MacRumors contributor Aaron Perris identified the Dynamic Island references earlier this week. Pdfu says the underlying feature has appeared in code since iOS 27.0, with its settings changing during development. Earlier versions included an option to open controls automatically, but the enabled setting in iOS 27.2 currently asks users to open them through a prompt.
According to the leaker, the accessories will use an identifier stored on an NFC tag alongside a Bluetooth Low Energy broadcast to support recognition and proximity interactions. Tapping a device for the first time will also produce Dynamic Island feedback as setup begins.
Apple's "second-party" LG accessories will debut another Home feature: Proximity Control. As with HomePod, tapping or bringing iPhone near the accessory shows a hint in the Dynamic Island. An "Open Controls" button opens the accessory's controls. Cameras and doorbells show a camera viewer. An iPhone without a Dynamic Island or an iPad will show a 30-second notification instead. You can disable this behavior in the Home app after setup. You'll also see feedback in the Dynamic Island as iPhone launches setup when you first tap the accessory to pair it. Behind the scenes, the accessory writes an "apple-deviceid" in the Matter payload stored on its NFC tag that helps iOS identify it when tapped. It also broadcasts a Bluetooth Low Energy advert for Apple Proximity Control. The feature appears in code since iOS 27.0. In earlier versions, Apple showed three presentation options instead of the on/off toggle in iOS 27.2:
• Never: Suppresses proximity controls.
• Ask to Launch: Shows Dynamic Island hint or notification, which deep links the control card.
• Launch Automatically: Shows control card. In the current implementation, the enabled state is equivalent to Ask to Launch. Home's helper text reads: "Show controls when you bring your iPhone near your [accessory]." The feature is still in active development across beta releases, so the final behavior may change. The Dynamic Island proximity control code in iOS 27.2 was first reported by @aaronp613 and @MacRumors. — pdfu (@itspdfu) October 9, 2026
The second feature, described in a separate post, will allow pairing to start while an accessory is unpowered. An iPhone will transfer its pairing identity and network credentials into the accessory's secure element using near-field communication (NFC). When the device receives power, it will connect to Wi-Fi or Thread, allowing a home hub to finish Matter setup.
Pdfu says that this setup method will be exclusive to HomeKit. LG replaces the secure element's Matter NFC applet with a HomeKit applet, even though iOS 27 also supports standard Matter NFC. Conventional Matter pairing will remain available once the accessories are powered on.
LG home accessories are set to debut with HomeKit-exclusive "tap to set up without power" feature, according to iOS 27 code and device firmware. When you tap your iPhone on the accessory, HomeKit pairing happens over NFC. Your iPhone's pairing identity and network credentials are stored in the accessory's NFC secure element. Once powered on, the accessory joins your Wi‑Fi or Thread network, and your home hub completes the Matter setup. • Apple's HomeKit-over-NFC implementation is separate from Matter NFC Commissioning.
• Firmware for the LG lock and thermostat identifies an NXP SE051H Secure Element.
• While iOS 27 supports standard Matter NFC commissioning, LG's firmware replaces NXP's Matter NFC applet in the secure element with a HomeKit applet. This suggests that NFC provisioning will be a HomeKit exclusive. You can still pair the accessories over Matter once they're powered on. (Shown here: Setup instruction asset for the LG lock) — pdfu (@itspdfu) October 8, 2026
Proximity Control is still being revised across beta releases, according to pdfu, so its behavior could change before shipping.
Apple yesterday announced its "Welcome home" event for Tuesday, October 13, with a home hub, updated Apple TV 4K, and refreshed HomePod mini expected to be announced. Apple could provide a preview of LG's accessories, although Bloomberg says their release remains at least a few months away.
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