iOS 18.4 will force users to upgrade to the latest HomeKit architecture

AppleInsider

Apple is set to discontinue support for the older version of its HomeKit architecture, meaning that users will be forced to upgrade with the release of iOS 18.4.

Users of iOS 18.4 will likely be required to upgrade to the newer HomeKit architecture.

On Monday, Apple released the third developer beta of iOS 18.4. While the operating system itself doesn't include any surface-level changes, its code indicates that a significant change could soon affect users of the Apple Home app.

Back in November 2022, with the launch of iOS 16.2, Apple introduced an updated version of its HomeKit architecture, which delivered significant speed and performance upgrades for HomeKit accessories. The new and improved HomeKit architecture caused problems for some users, which is why it was withdrawn in December 2022 and re-introduced in February 2023 with the release of iOS 16.4.

The upgrade itself was entirely optional, and many users chose not to upgrade to the latest HomeKit architecture to ensure the continued operation of their existing HomeKit accessories. As 9to5mac reports, however, this arrangement could soon change, as code from the third developer beta of iOS 18.4 indicates that Apple wants to make the new HomeKit architecture a mandatory upgrade.

Specifically, strings within the operating system contain new warnings, informing users that they need to "update now to avoid interruptions" as support for the older HomeKit architecture "will end soon." This ultimately means that all users will likely be forced to upgrade the HomeKit architecture in their Apple Home app, rendering older smart home accessories inoperable.

The change might roll out as part of the iOS 18.4 update, which will be available to the general public in April. Though the planned Apple Intelligence upgrades for Siri were delayed, iOS 18.4 will introduce a variety of other meaningful changes, including an Apple Vision Pro app, new emoji characters, and more.



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ihatescreennames

I held off from upgrading to the new HomeKit architecture for quite a while. I had heard about people having difficulties with it and didn’t want to bother. I figured the longer I waited the better off I’d be. I finally did it in the fall of 2024. It was relatively painless and I’ve had no issues with the new architecture. 

loopless

I don't think there is any evidence that the new HomeKit architecture will make "older smart home accessories inoperable". Nothing in my home , which included some fairly old accessories , had any issues.

I switched over fairly early to the new  architecture and my only issue at the time was with my family joining my "Home" via invitations. 

HomeKit seems very solid now.

clexman

loopless said:

I don't think there is any evidence that the new HomeKit architecture will make "older smart home accessories inoperable". Nothing in my home , which included some fairly old accessories , had any issues.

I switched over fairly early to the new  architecture and my only issue at the time was with my family joining my "Home" via invitations. 

HomeKit seems very solid now.

I came here to say the same thing.

daven

Are any AppleTV or HomePod versions unsupported by the new system?

mike1

When I upgraded, after the reintroduction, the performance and reliability of my complete setup improved significantly. Far fewer "No response" messages than in the past.

dewme

Hmm, when articles like this mention “the code” I really think they’re taking about spelunking for strings in binary files. I don’t think Apple would allow access to their proprietary source code or put operating system strings into plain text files. If Apple really wanted to make these string spelunkers have to do a little more work Apple could encrypt them or obfuscate them so causal dumpster divers couldn’t get at them so easily. 

I’m not a stickler for typos, but when I read “code” I think source code. The artifacts that are generated from the compilation process aren’t “the code” in the same sense as the source code, intermediate level, assembly, or machine level code. It just so happens that many of the common binary formats on most platforms allow strings to be embedded in readable format in part of the files. They’re just string tables.

edited March 12