Apple gearing up to re-release revamped HomeKit architecture

New unearthed code suggests that Apple will soon re-release its Homekit architecture after it initially withdrew the option in December.

In December, Apple withdrew the option to upgrade Homekit to the new architecture, following reports the update wasn't working properly for users.

New code discovered by Twitter users nicolas09F9 and aaronp613 references the second iteration of Apple's new HomeKit architecture.

Definitely seems like it https://t.co/6ENJtP8pGJ pic.twitter.com/cFHQ7f1IZF
— Aaron (@aaronp613) January 24, 2023

The code suggests that Apple is gearing up for the feature's eventual re-released.

The iOS 16.3 beta also showed a message referencing a "Home Upgrade Available" "new underlying architecture that will improve the performance of your home." This is the same update message that appeared in iOS 16.2 before being pulled.

Screenshots sent in by Anthony Powell

For the previous attempt, users reported seeing devices stuck in an "updating" mode after the upgrade completed, with some devices unresponsive or failing to update fully. At the time, it was unclear what had caused the problems as there weren't any commonalities between accounts of the issue.

16 Comments

welshdog 1897 comments · 22 Years

About 1 year ago

Since 16.3 is already out, when will we see this Homekit update?

itinj24 51 comments · 5 Years

JP234 said:

Unless you're a developer, here's the best advice you'll hear on installing beta software: don't. And if you still feel the need to, do a current backup first, and take your device offline.

As a consumer/enduser, you have nothing to lose by waiting for the official release. I spent 14 years working for an Apple Specialist and then Apple Inc. and never, ever installed a beta on any of my devices after seeing people coming in crying about what happened when they did.

I’m in complete agreement with you on this. I never install any beta., ever. I feel most people on the Apple betas are just in it for the new features early and not to report bugs. In all fairness though, the new HomeKit architecture released with 16.2 was a public release.

lolliver 497 comments · 10 Years

welshdog said:

Since 16.3 is already out, when will we see this Homekit update?

Yeah, I thought I had read something about this being released with 16.3. That's obviously not the case. If it needs to come out in another point release it might not be for a while.

lkrupp 10521 comments · 19 Years

itinj24 said:

JP234 said:

Unless you're a developer, here's the best advice you'll hear on installing beta software: don't. And if you still feel the need to, do a current backup first, and take your device offline.

As a consumer/enduser, you have nothing to lose by waiting for the official release. I spent 14 years working for an Apple Specialist and then Apple Inc. and never, ever installed a beta on any of my devices after seeing people coming in crying about what happened when they did.

I’m in complete agreement with you on this. I never install any beta., ever. I feel most people on the Apple betas are just in it for the new features early and not to report bugs. In all fairness though, the new HomeKit architecture released with 16.2 was a public release.

I don’t even think they’re in it for new features. It’s for the bragging rights alone and they inevitably install it on their daily, working devices.

JP234 said:

Unless you're a developer, here's the best advice you'll hear on installing beta software: don't. And if you still feel the need to, do a current backup first, and take your device offline.

As a consumer/enduser, you have nothing to lose by waiting for the official release. I spent 14 years working for an Apple Specialist and then Apple Inc. and never, ever installed a beta on any of my devices after seeing people coming in crying about what happened when they did.

This is by far the best advice I’ve ever seen on a tech blog.