Last Chance To Update Apple Home: Your Smart Home May Stop Working Today

Last Chance to Update Apple Home: Your Smart Home May Stop Working Today

Last updated: 2026/02/10 at 9:44 AM

News Room Published 10 February 2026

The original Apple Home app is being discontinued today, and if you’re still using it, you may need to update to the latest version as soon as possible. Feb. 10 is the cutoff date for the tech, introduced in 2016 and built on an older HomeKit standard.

If you have an existing Apple smart home setup or device, such as a HomePod or Apple TV, you may have received emails urging you to update to the latest version. In a final push, Apple reminded users to upgrade last week.

If you put it off, you may find your smart home accessories begin to experience issues as early as today. Even if your gadgets continue to work as expected, you’re set to lose out on security updates and performance improvements.

The latest version of Home was introduced in 2023 alongside iOS 16.4, which brought with it support for the smart home connectivity standard Matter. Until now, Apple has allowed users to continue to use its older platform.

If you switch, you’ll find it’s a better experience with features like hands-free iPhone unlocking for smart locks, support for robot vacuums, activity history, and even guest access to help them control your devices.

Recommended by Our Editors

To update, open the Home app on your iPhone or iPad. Find the settings option, then select Software Update > Update Now. The prompts will guide you through updating your smart home gadgets and your phone’s app. If you’re already set up with the latest version, you’ll see a message explaining that your accessories are up to date.

This version of Apple Home requires iOS 16.2 or iPadOS 16.2. That means you’ll need an iPhone 8 or later to use this on your smartphone. If you don’t have a more modern device, you may need to upgrade to keep using your smart home gadgets without any issues.