Apple Intelligence could soon live up to its name and further empower Apple Home automations to the point of anticipating your needs.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

As expected, the app is no longer working for some users.

Users who did not update the app by the February 10 deadline now see this message: “You’re running an older version of Apple Home that is no longer supported. Update now to continue using the Home app with your Apple devices and other accessories.”

“The members of your home will also need to update on their devices,” the message adds.

Apple said users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart home in the app entirely. In addition, users who do not upgrade will miss out on newer features like robot vacuum cleaner support, and they will not receive important security fixes and performance improvements.

It is still possible to upgrade the app to restore functionality.

Apple explains how to upgrade the Home app on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac:

• Open the Home app
• Tap or click on the three dots in the upper-right and navigate to Home Settings
• Tap or click on Software Update
• Tap or click Update Now, then follow the prompts. All of the homes that you own are updated at the same time.

If you see “This home and all accessories are up to date,” then you are on the current version of the app and no further action is required.

Notably, the newer Apple Home architecture requires a minimum of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2.

More details are available in an Apple support document.

This article, "Apple Home App Stops Working for Some Users as Update Now Required" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In an email last week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart home in the app entirely. In addition, users who do not upgrade will miss out on newer features like robot vacuum cleaner support, and they will not receive important security fixes and performance improvements.

Apple explains how to upgrade the Home app on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac:

• Open the Home app
• Tap or click on the three dots in the upper-right and navigate to Home Settings
• Tap or click on Software Update
• Tap or click Update Now, then follow the prompts. All of the homes that you own are updated at the same time.

If you see “This home and all accessories are up to date,” then you are on the current version of the app and no further action is required.

Notably, the new version of Apple Home requires a minimum of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2.

This article, "Reminder: Update Your Apple Home App Immediately to Avoid Issues" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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In an email this week, Apple warns users to update Home app to avoid hassles as support for the older version expires.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

In an email this week, Apple gave customers a final reminder to upgrade their Home app by February 10, 2026. Apple says users who do not upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart home in the app entirely. In addition, users who do not upgrade will miss out on newer features like robot vacuum cleaner support, and they will not receive important security fixes and performance improvements.

Apple explains how to upgrade the Home app on the iPhone, iPad, or Mac:

• Open the Home app
• Tap or click on the three dots in the upper-right and navigate to Home Settings
• Tap or click on Software Update
• Tap or click Update Now, then follow the prompts. All of the homes that you own are updated at the same time.

If you see “This home and all accessories are up to date,” then you are on the current version of the app and no further action is required.

Notably, the new version of Apple Home requires a minimum of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2.

This article, "Apple Gives Final Warning to Home App Users" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Three years later, Apple is now on the verge of ending support for the old version of the Home architecture, which may result in access to the entire Home platform being blocked for some users if they do not or cannot update. The deadline for updating was originally announced as fall 2025, but in early November, Apple announced that it was pushing back the deadline to February 10, 2026.

It appears Apple will be sticking with that deadline, as the company is sending out fresh reminder emails today to users who have yet to upgrade to the new version of Apple Home.

This email serves as your second reminder that support for the earlier version of Apple Home will end next month on February 10, 2026.

If you do not update to this new version of Apple Home, your access to your home within the Home app might be blocked, accessories and automations might not work as expected, and you will not receive important security fixes and performance improvements. Updating to the new version of Apple Home can also enable new features, such as guest access, support for robot vacuum cleaners, Activity History, and more.

Users can update to the new version of Apple Home within the Software Update section of Home Settings in the Home app. If you have already completed these steps, or “This home and all accessories are up to date” is shown in Software Update, then you are already on the current version and there is nothing more you need to do.

Notably, the new version of Apple Home requires a minimum of iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2, and older devices that have not been or cannot be updated will lose access to the Apple Home after updating. This requirement has not sat well with some users who may use older devices as dedicated Home control devices, so many of these users have put off upgrading their Home architecture for as long as possible, but it now appears the reprieve is coming to an end.

This article, "Apple Reminding Users of Pending Home App Upgrade Requirement" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Govee showcased Matter- and HomeKit-compatibile smart lighting this week, including new floor and ceiling lights.

(via Cult of Mac – Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)

The post Roomba Matter Support Expands to More Models appeared first on Appleosophy.

Matter integration has been available for the Roomba Combo 10 Max since earlier this year, but existing Roomba Plus 500 Combo, Roomba Max 700 Vac, and Roomba Max 700 Combo vacuums can get Matter support through a firmware update. Matter has not yet been re-added for the Roomba Combo J7 and J9.

Matter-enabled Roomba vacuums can be added to the Home app on devices running iOS 18.4 or higher, as long as a Home hub is available (Apple TV or HomePod). The Home app doesn’t support the full suite of features available with robot vacuums, but basic commands are available. Vacuums can be set to vacuum and mop an entire home, or a specific room or area with ‌Siri‌ voice commands.

Once added to the Home app, a Roomba vacuum with Matter can be set to clean automatically with automations and can integrate with other HomeKit devices. You could, for example, set the Roomba to vacuum whenever you leave the house, or at a certain time. Automations can be triggered by presence, time, sensors, or when an accessory like a light is activated.

Apple added support for Matter-connected robot vacuums in iOS 18.4 earlier this year. Several companies have since come out with Matter options, including Roborock, Ecovacs, Switchbot, and Roomba.

iRobot’s added Matter support comes as the company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier in December. iRobot has been sold to Picea Robotics, a Chinese company that already manufactures some of the Roomba devices. The acquisition is expected to be completed by February 2026, and iRobot says there will be no disruption in app functionality, product support, or customer programs.

Going forward, iRobot will remain a private company owned by Picea, and the Roomba brand will continue with new models planned for the future.

(Thanks, Max!)

This article, "More Roomba Vacuums Get Matter Support for HomeKit Integration" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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