Apple to Re-Release Revamped HomeKit Architecture in iOS 16.4

Wednesday February 8, 2023 5:16 am PST by Tim Hardwick

Apple in its upcoming iOS 16.4 update will re-introduce the revamped HomeKit architecture it originally pulled in December due to widespread issues, GeekWebGuides can confirm.

Backend code indicates that Apple is ready to re-introduce the updated Home architecture that was released with the iOS 16.2 update, only to be pulled a week after launch because of bugs and installation issues.

At the time, Apple said the removal was temporary and that the upgrade option would "return soon," but new code references discovered by Nicolás Álvarez (@nicolas09F9) indicate that the architecture will indeed return with the release of iOS 16.4, beginning with the first beta that could arrive as soon as this week.

Apple says that the update improves the reliability and efficiency of communication between smart home accessories and Apple devices, and it is something that Apple has been working on since iOS 16 was announced at WWDC in June 2022.

When the Home architecture was first released, it caused some ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ devices to disappear from ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ setups or to become stuck with a "configuring/updating" status. It also resulted in invitations to share the Home with others failing, and it broke ‌‌HomeKit‌‌ Secure video recording for some users.

Tags: Apple Home, HomeKit Guide

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Top Rated Comments

airwalk331

48 months ago

Final_HomeKitArchitecture_final_v2x_finalfinal.pkg

Score: 27 Votes (Like | Disagree)

nt5672

48 months ago

If iCould is any example, then it will take about 5 years for HomeKit to work anywhere near what we expect.

I really wish Apple fans would refuse to put up with Apple's poor quality software releases.

Apple has the resources to get it right the first time, but for some reason they don't. Sure there may be missing features, but what they release should, outside of corner cases, just work.

It is almost like they are outsourcing software development to high schoolers and totally ignoring testing.

Score: 20 Votes (Like | Disagree)

NightFox

48 months ago

I could (almost) forgive Apple for releasing an update that borked HomeKit - if they'd had a solution or rollback available within a matter of hours. However, the fact that they've so far taken weeks to fix what has been a catastrophic failure for some users has probably done irreparable reputational damage to HomeKit and home automation itself.

It also gives a very clear message on how serious Apple is about HomeKit.

Score: 17 Votes (Like | Disagree)

chrono1081

48 months ago

It is almost like they are outsourcing software development to high schoolers and totally ignoring testing.

That's leetcode interviews for you, and Apple (and other big guys) do them. They favor people (generally college grads) who can answer tricky questions (since tricky questions are how you learn to code) over people who build real world, scalable systems each day for years. People doing the real work generally don't have the time to go back and review tricky questions just for interview purposes.

It's really stupid how the software dev field has become.

Score: 15 Votes (Like | Disagree)

siddavis

48 months ago

I haven't been able to invite people to my Home since 16.2 dropped. I really hope this fixes it.

I'm in the same boat, but since 16.1. That and a whole slew of issues with Home, and I did not even update to the new architecture. None of my automations work, and all of my scenes only work halfway - always get a "failed" message.

Everything in my Apple ecosystem is a complete mess right now. I ask Siri on my Apple Watch to turn on X lights, and it tells me that I have no Homekit items set up yet. Funny, I have probably 20+ in Home. I always get notifications that I left my Airpod Pros behind even when I'm using them. Then I get notifications that an unknown Airpod Pro is with me... yeah, mine!

Don't even try to contact Apple Support. They are clueless and make promises that they simply have not intention and cannot keep. Since 16.1 and not being able to add anyone to my Home (even my son that is in my Family Share!), they told me engineers would look into it and I would get a phone call back. That was 5-6 weeks ago.

Then there's the promised "features" that either never materialize or come 6-12 months later.

Their SW releases are becoming a complete joke.

Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)

chrono1081

48 months ago

If one has successfully upgraded their architecture in 16.2 - no need to do it again in 16.4, right?

I don't think this is the case. 16.2 has some serious flaws. Many people had no issues but the rest of us did. I can't plug in a HomePod without it bringing down my entire network.

Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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Apple to Re-Release Revamped HomeKit Architecture in iOS 16.4

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