Apple’s Home App Upgrade: Final Reminder for Users
▼ Summary
– Apple is ending support for its old Home architecture on February 10, 2026, and users who do not update risk losing access to their home and features.
– The company is sending reminder emails to users who have not yet upgraded to the new version of Apple Home.
– Failure to update may block access to the Home app, disrupt accessories and automations, and prevent important security and performance updates.
– The update enables new features like guest access, robot vacuum support, and Activity History, and is performed in the Home app’s Software Update section.
– The new architecture requires newer operating systems, meaning older devices that cannot update will lose access to Apple Home after the upgrade.
Apple is issuing a final reminder to users who have yet to adopt the new Home app architecture, with a firm deadline now set for February 10, 2026. This update, initially released with some difficulties in late 2022 and early 2023, is essential for continued access to the smart home platform. Failure to update by the cutoff date could result in users being blocked from their home setup, experiencing malfunctions with accessories and automations, and missing out on critical security patches and performance enhancements.
The company is now sending out emails to those still on the old system, marking a second warning about the impending support termination. The consequences of not updating are significant, potentially locking users out of their Home app entirely and leaving their smart home devices inoperable or insecure. Conversely, making the switch unlocks several new functionalities, including guest access permissions, support for robot vacuum cleaners, and Activity History features.
Completing the upgrade is a straightforward process handled within the Home app itself. Users need to navigate to the Software Update section within Home Settings. If the interface indicates that “This home and all accessories are up to date,” then no further action is required. However, for those who have postponed the update, the time to act is now.
A major point of contention for some households involves the system requirements. The new architecture mandates a minimum of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, or watchOS 9.2. This presents a compatibility hurdle for older devices that cannot be updated to these operating system versions. Many users who employ such older iPads or iPhones as dedicated home control hubs have delayed the upgrade for this very reason. Unfortunately, with the deadline firmly in place, these older devices will lose their ability to interface with the Apple Home platform after the architecture update is applied, forcing users to consider hardware upgrades if they wish to maintain control.
(Source: Mac Rumors)
