A transition launched in 2022 — and deployed in pain
It was at the end of 2022 that Apple finally flipped the switch.
With the iOS 16.2 update, the company introduced a new HomeKit architecture designed to modernize the system from the ground up. The idea: centralize all smart home logic on a physical hub, like a HomePod or Apple TV, instead of having every Apple device query each accessory individually.
On paper, that should fix everything — the sluggish Home app, the “Updating…” status delays, and those automations that blink in and out for no reason.
In practice? It was a live crash.
As soon as it rolled out, the new architecture triggered a cascade of bugs:
- accessories disappearing,
- family sharing broken,
- automations failing,
- and HomeKit Secure Video partly out of order.
The situation became so bad that Apple did something it almost never does: it pulled the update entirely, labeling it internally as a major bug.
The option quietly reappeared three months later with iOS 16.4. Since then, the new architecture has been stable, but still optional — and will remain so until February 2026, when Apple will finally shut the door on the old version.
In other words, what you’re using today with HomeKit is only tolerated temporarily.
After that date, it’s digital exile for anyone who hasn’t migrated.
Why Apple is enforcing this migration in 2026
Apple never moves without a plan. And this forced transition isn’t punishment — it’s a strategic pivot that redefines the company’s entire vision of the connected home.
1. Ending a fragile coexistence
Since 2023, two architectures have coexisted — a temporary and messy compromise that complicates technical support, slows feature deployment, and delays adoption of universal standards like Matter and Thread.
Maintaining the old system means holding the entire ecosystem back.
Apple knows it — and accepts it.
Come February 2026, the old world gets cut off for good.
2. Accelerating Matter integration
At the heart of this migration lies Matter, the new universal smart home standard supported by Apple, Google, Amazon, and others. It promises a world where all devices can talk to each other, regardless of brand.
But there’s a catch: Matter only works on the new architecture.
As long as the old one lingers, adoption stagnates — and Apple can’t fully impose its vision of a truly interoperable HomeKit.
3. Preparing for new devices — and HomeOS
This migration also lays the groundwork for Apple’s next generation of home products and software:
- A new smart display (expected in 2026);
- And HomeOS, Apple’s upcoming home-focused operating system, already central to its AI roadmap.
No HomeOS without a clean base. This new HomeKit architecture becomes the single, unified foundation upon which everything else will rest — automations, voice control, contextual intelligence, and enhanced security.
The Real-World benefits of the new architecture
Apple may have stumbled at launch, but this isn’t a patch — it’s a deep reengineering of how HomeKit actually works.
And once set up properly, the gains are significant.
1. Responsiveness, at last
Under the old system, each iPhone, iPad, or Mac communicated directly with accessories over the local network.
Result: lag, failed connections, delayed updates — all summed up by the dreaded “Updating…” message that lingered forever in the Home app.
Now, everything runs through the hub (HomePod or Apple TV):
- It continuously collects device states,
- and transmits them instantly to your screens.
The result: immediate status updates, smoother automations, and much better performance in homes with dozens of accessories.
2. Exclusive features — finally worth having
Beyond raw performance, the new architecture unlocks features that were impossible before:
- Matter compatibility: add Google, Amazon, Aqara, Eve, or Nanoleaf accessories — no more worrying about “Works with Apple HomeKit” labels.
- Custom guest access: grant personalized permissions to friends, family, or service providers — up to 29 users per home.
- Activity history: track who opened what, when, and on which device. Ideal for security or simply confirming that the robot vacuum did its job.
- Robot vacuum support: yes, you can finally include your cleaning bot in automations (“I’m leaving home → robot starts cleaning”) or trigger it via Siri.
3. A technical foundation for the future
This isn’t just an upgrade — it’s a prerequisite for everything Apple plans to do next:
- Smarter, AI-driven automations powered by Siri’s contextual intelligence,
- Cross-platform orchestration via Matter,
- Advanced features for future devices (smart display, HomeOS, etc.).
Stay on the old architecture, and you’re effectively freezing your smart home in 2022.
Technical and hardware consequences
Behind what looks like a software update hides very real hardware implications — and a few decisions that have left some users frustrated.
The iPad is out as a hub
This is the most painful change for many: under the new architecture, the iPad can no longer act as a home hub.
And no, even a brand-new M2 iPad Pro isn’t compatible.
Why? Because it lacks two essential components:
- Thread support, required for modern device communication;
- A permanent, wired network connection, which a mobile iPad simply can’t guarantee.
Apple wants hubs that are stable, always-on, and hardwired, capable of relaying data both locally and via iCloud.
The iPad is therefore out of the game — it can still control accessories, but no longer serve as the home’s brain.
The Hub becomes mandatory: HomePod or Apple TV
With the iPad retired, you now have two real options:
➤ HomePod mini (€99)
- Small, discreet, Thread-compatible, and affordable.
- Works over Wi‑Fi (so it depends on your network quality).
- Great for small setups or as a secondary hub in a mesh network.
➤ Apple TV 4K (from €169)
- The 128 GB Ethernet model is the complete version.
- Wired connection = total stability.
- Full Thread support.
- Superior performance for complex automations and HomeKit Secure Video storage.
💡 Note: only the 128 GB Apple TV 4K (2022) includes both Ethernet and full Thread support.
The 64 GB model — cheaper, yes — isn’t equivalent.
Mandatory Software Updates
Starting February 10, 2026, only devices running at least the following versions will work with the Home app:
- iOS 16.2
- iPadOS 16.2
- macOS 13.1
- tvOS 16.2
- watchOS 9.2
Anything older will:
- lose access to the Home app,
- stop controlling accessories,
- and no longer receive shared invitations.
Even more: if you migrate one device to the new architecture, all your others must follow, or they’ll be automatically excluded from your shared home.
Choosing the right hub
In Apple’s ecosystem, the hub is now the strategic core of the connected home.
It runs automations, handles remote commands, manages secure video feeds, and keeps all devices and users in sync.
Choosing poorly means building a home that’s sluggish, unstable — or half-functional.
🥇 Apple TV 4K (128 GB, Ethernet): the gold standard
If you want stability, performance, and long-term reliability, this is the one to buy. Why?
- Ethernet connection: fast, stable, 24/7 ready.
- Full Thread support: vital for low-power devices like sensors, locks, and thermostats.
- Ample storage (128 GB): useful for Secure Video, complex scenes, and future AI features.
- tvOS interface: direct access to Home settings, camera feeds, notifications, and system updates.
💬 It’s no longer a “media box” — it’s a home server disguised as one.
🥈 HomePod mini: a solid backup, but limited
At €99, the HomePod mini is an affordable entry point for simpler homes.
- Thread built-in, Wi‑Fi-based.
- Great mesh repeater for extending coverage.
- Always-on Siri control in every room.
But be aware:
- No Ethernet = fully dependent on Wi‑Fi reliability.
- Not ideal for large homes (20+ accessories or complex scenes).
- Sometimes flaky for security-related automations (locks, alarms, etc.).
🧠 The ideal combo
The setup recommended by most power users:
- 1 Apple TV 4K (Ethernet) as the main hub
- 1–2 HomePod minis as mesh extenders (bedrooms, upstairs, etc.)
That gives you:
- Perfect Thread coverage,
- Stable automations,
- And Siri available locally, everywhere.
How to migrate without breaking everything
Migrating to the new HomeKit architecture looks easy — but there are a few traps worth knowing first.
🧭 The 5 migration steps
It all happens in the Home app, from any up-to-date Apple device (iPhone, iPad, or Mac):
- Open Home
- Tap “…” → Home Settings
- Choose Software Update
- Follow the on-screen instructions
⚠️ Important: this process is irreversible. Once migrated, there’s no way back — not even a factory reset.
🔄 Global and immediate migration
Contrary to what many think, migration applies to your Apple ID, not just one device or home. That means:
- If you own multiple homes (main + vacation), they’ll all migrate.
- Everyone in your household must be updated (iOS 16.2+).
- Incompatible devices lose access after migration.
So yes — if Grandma still uses an old iPad on iOS 14 to open the blinds, she’ll need to update or be removed.
🧪 What if you do nothing?
Apple has confirmed that migration will become automatic after the February 10, 2026 deadline.
Early iOS 18.6 betas even suggest this could happen silently in the background, without explicit consent.
So if you procrastinate:
- You’ll either lose access abruptly,
- Or Apple will migrate you automatically — and unannounced.
Either way, it’s better to do it yourself, on your own schedule, and with all devices ready.
A bigger picture: Apple’s Smart Display, Siri AI, and HomeOS
This transition doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It’s part of a broader, long-term strategy to reinvent Apple’s smart home approach — with new hardware, new software, and deeper AI integration.
🔮 A Smart Display for 2026
Rumors are solid: Apple is developing a hybrid smart display / home hub, slated for spring 2026. Expected features include:
- 7‑inch touchscreen
- Wall-mounted or tabletop versions
- A18 chip (same as iPhone 16 Pro)
- Built-in Siri and central smart home control
- Smart photo frame function à la Nest Hub or Echo Show
- Estimated price: $349
It could serve both as a visual control interface and as the primary hub, effectively replacing the old “iPad on a shelf” setup.
🧠 HomeOS and Next‑Gen Siri
This device will also introduce HomeOS, Apple’s long-rumored dedicated operating system for the smart home, first spotted in code leaks back in 2021.
Alongside it: a next‑gen Siri, powered by Apple Intelligence — capable of:
- Handling multi-step commands,
- Understanding context,
- Adapting to user habits,
- And proactively suggesting automations.
The new HomeKit architecture is the essential groundwork for all of this.
Matter, Thread, and centralization aren’t buzzwords — they’re the infrastructure of Apple’s future “ambient intelligence.”
🧩 A strategic (and controlled) lock-in
By removing the iPad, forcing the migration, and introducing proprietary new devices, Apple is tightening its ecosystem once again.
Yes, it’s a strategic lock-in, but also a push for coherence: a smart home that actually works, without hacks, without lag, and without ten-year-old protocols holding it back.