With the release of iOS 19, the outdated version of the Home app will no longer work
By ForGeeks Apple has confirmed: with the release of iOS 19, expected in fall 2025, support for the old Home app architecture will be permanently discontinued. That means users will have to switch to a new smart home management platform if they want to continue using HomeKit after the iPhone update.
What does this mean for HomeKit users
If you’re still using an older version of the HomeKit architecture, your hardware may stop showing up in the Home app when you update to iOS 19. Apple warned about this in an updated help for users, stating that the old system will be disabled in fall 2025.
Why is Apple shutting down the old system?”
The new HomeKit architecture first appeared in iOS 16.2, but back then it caused a lot of bugs when pairing devices. In iOS 16.4, Apple tweaked the code and brought back the update, but made it unobtrusive. Users saw the unobtrusive notification in the Home app. In recent months, however, that notification has become more persistent – and now it’s clear why.
After the release of iOS 19, devices that haven’t migrated to the new architecture; may disappear from the app as soon as the user reboots the smartphone or performs a system update.
What does the new architecture bring to the table?
Besides improved stability and responsiveness, the new platform opens up access to a number of features not available on the old system:
- Invitations for guests to the smart home
- Device activity history
- Support for robot vacuum cleaners and other new types of accessories
- Wider integration with Matter
It’s also expected that later in 2025, Apple will introduce new smart home hardwarea separate homeOS operating system. The company appears to be aiming for complete unification of the platform — and abandoning the old architecture is part of that strategy.
Google and Amazon are also moving in the same direction
- Google completely redesigned the Google Home app and added full Matter support on the iPhone.
- Amazon integrated Matter into the new Echo Show devices and eero routers.
- Matter’s latest specs already include QR codes for connecting multiple devices and tap to pair
In this environment, Apple’s move is no longer risky and seems logical – unification will be the norm by 2025.
How to update the architecture of the Home app?”
- Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Click the three-dot icon in the top corner.
- Go to Home Settings → Software Update
- Click “Update Now”
All homes associated with your Apple ID will be updated immediately. Once the migration is complete, the app will show a notification that the update was successful.
The With the release of iOS 19, the outdated version of the Home app will no longer work was first published on ITZine.ru.
