Apple officially ends the support for the previous version of Apple Home this year, and the company encouraged the user to update the new HomeKit architecture at this time to update the new Homekit architecture in order to avoid interruptions with accessories and automation.
So far, Apple has warned that the support for the current version of Apple Home will soon end and asked users to upgrade. However, it seems that some houses that still have to go to the updated architecture are automatically transferred.
In the latest beta of iOS 18.6 there is code that says that automatic upgrades come.
The support for your current version of Apple Home ends in autumn. Some houses are automatically updated at this time, others have to be updated manually. You can now update to avoid interruptions with your accessories, automation and critical warnings.
Earlier versions of this message have not mentioned the possibility of an automatic upgrade. For Apple, however, it makes sense to ensure that homekit users who do not check the settings for the home app do not experience any interruption in service if iOS 26 fails this autumn. Apple does not clarify the criteria for the automatic upgrade, so it is not clear who has to carry out the manual update.
Apple presented the updated homekit architecture for the first time in December 2022, but the users met problems with missing devices, invitations for the home sharing that did not work, and problems with the safe Homekit video, so Apple provided the update. In March 2023 it was rolled out together with iOS 16.4 and since then.
The new homekit architecture does not work on devices in which older versions of iOS, iPados and MacOS are carried out. This autumn, some users cannot control their homekit setups for Apple products that are unable to carry out at least iOS 16 or MacOS SONOMA.
The upgrade of Apple homekit offers support for guest access, robot vacuum cleaners and activity history. It also offers faster and more reliable performance for smart homes with many installed homekit and matter accessories.
If you have not updated to the new architecture, it can be installed in the Home app by tapping the button more, selecting the home settings and selecting software -upgrade.