Update 22-12: Apple pulled the new architecture for Home due to user complaints about crashing smart home devices. This means that it is no longer possible to upgrade your home for the time being.
iOS 16.2 is finally out, but it contains a new feature that you shouldn’t just activate. You should pay attention to this.
New iOS 16.2 feature
Apple has with iOS 16.2 quite heavy interim update released. For example, there’s an all-new app, Freeform, where you can brainstorm live with friends and family on a blank canvas. Apple Music also now has a new Sing feature, which turns a large part of your music library into real karaoke. In short: it’s not just a security update!
But there’s also a new feature in iOS 16.2 — and iPadOS 16.2, watchOS 9.2, and macOS 13.1 — that you should watch out for. This has to do with the Home app, which you use to control your smart home devices (HomeKit). If you activate the new feature, you can simply lose control of your lamps, thermostat, smart plugs and more.
You should pay attention to this
But what is this new feature? This is a “new underlying architecture” for Home. In other words: a major code change, which should ensure that the Home app runs faster and more efficiently. The problem with this architecture is that it doesn’t backward compatible and. If you move your home, Apple devices that you haven’t yet updated will no longer be able to operate your smart home equipment.
You’ll automatically be notified about the new architecture when you update to iOS 16.2, but you can also find the feature yourself in the Home app. In the app, tap the ball with three dots in the top right and go to “Home settings”. Scroll down and select “Software Update”. You will see a notification at the top: “Update for Home available”. When you tap Learn more and continue, you’ll see which Apple devices you still need to update to work with the new architecture. So don’t tap “Update Anyway” — you’ll lose control of your smart home on all those devices.
When can I activate the feature?
After you’ve updated all your devices to version 16.2, or in the case of Mac to 13.1 and for Apple Watch to 9.2, you’re ready to apply the new architecture. A device can’t handle the latest update because it’s no longer supported? So it’s super important to just stick with the old Woning architecture. This way you can continue to manage your smart home with your old device.
Learn more about iOS 16.2
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