Apple Home is Apple's smart home platform, built into iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple Vision, HomePod, Apple TV and the new Apple HomeView. It is controlled through the Home app and Siri, and it works with HomeKit and Matter accessories.
Apple Home has no separate software to install. Accessories are added in the Home app, and a home hub (HomePod, HomePod mini, Apple TV, or Apple HomeView) provides remote access, automations and, for Thread accessories, a Thread border router. Apple's hub page says a home hub is required to add Matter accessories, while its Matter page says iOS 18 or later can add and control them without one, with a hub still recommended.
It suits households that already use Apple devices and want a managed, privacy-focused setup with Siri. It is weaker where users want to run their own server, install community integrations, or use protocols Apple does not mention on its pages, such as Zigbee or Z-Wave directly: those accessories need a bridge or hub from another maker.
Source: Apple: Home accessories
Apple's free Home app for controlling, organising and monitoring accessories, with Siri, scenes, automations and HomeKit Secure Video cameras. The App Store listing covers iPhone, iPad, Apple Vision and Apple Watch and mentions Mac. There is no Android app on any Apple page we read.
Apple's Mac User Guide describes the Home app on Mac for controlling accessories, scenes, rooms and zones. We found no separate Mac App Store link.
Official supported by the brand Community built by someone else Not found searched, nothing found Unconfirmed sources conflict or could not be opened
| Platform | Status | What it means | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware, editions and installation | |||
| Home app (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, Apple Vision) | Official | The Home app is the control app. Apple's Home page shows it on HomeView, iPad, iPhone and Apple Watch, and the App Store listing adds Apple Vision. The latest version of Apple Home needs at least iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2 or watchOS 9.2, and Apple says support for the previous version ended on 10 February 2026. | Apple: Home app App Store: Home Apple: update to the latest Apple Home |
| HomePod and HomePod mini as home hub | Official | Apple says HomePod and HomePod mini become home hubs automatically once set up. The hub must be in the home, on home Wi-Fi and powered on. Apple's Home page names HomePod (2nd generation) and HomePod mini; a HomePod mini 2 is also mentioned on that page. | Apple: set up a home hub Apple: Home on iOS Apple: Home app |
| Apple TV as home hub | Official | An Apple TV becomes a home hub when added to a room in the Home app (Settings, AirPlay and Apple Home). Apple's Home page names Apple TV 4K. Apple's Works with Apple Home page also lists Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi, Apple TV 4K (1st generation), Apple TV HD and Apple TV (4th generation) among hubs that need a separate Thread border router for Thread accessories. A new Apple TV 4K (4th generation) was announced in October 2026 with built-in Wi-Fi and Thread. | Apple: set up a home hub Apple Developer: Works with Apple Home Apple Newsroom: new Apple TV 4K |
| Apple HomeView | Official | A new Apple home device announced in October 2026 that can act as a home hub. Apple lists pre-orders from 13 October 2026, availability from 13 November 2026, $299 in the U.S., and says it is not for sale in the European Union. | Apple Newsroom: Apple HomeView |
| iPad as home hub | Unconfirmed | Two Apple pages disagree. Apple's iCloud guide for HomeKit Secure Video names iPad among eligible hubs, while the Apple Home update page says iPad is not supported as a home hub on the latest version of Apple Home. | Apple: HomeKit Secure Video (iCloud guide) Apple: update to the latest Apple Home |
| Home hub requirement | Official | A hub is needed for remote control, sharing control with others and automations. Apple's hub page says a home hub is required to add Matter accessories, while the Matter page says iOS 18 or later can add and control Matter accessories without a hub, with a hub still recommended. | Apple: set up a home hub Apple: pair and manage Matter accessories |
| Thread border router | Official | Apple lists Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi + Ethernet, Apple TV 4K (2nd generation), HomePod (2nd generation), HomePod mini and iPhone 15 Pro or later on iOS 18 as Thread-enabled Apple devices. Apple also allows a compatible third-party Thread border router. HomePod (1st generation) and Apple TV 4K (3rd generation) Wi-Fi are named as needing a separate border router. | Apple: Thread Border Router alert Apple Developer: Works with Apple Home Apple: pair and manage Matter accessories |
| Apple Home Collection (LG, Schneider Electric) | Official | A new Apple-branded accessory line of cameras, thermostats and a lock, launching in December 2026 with some items in early 2027. Apple says every device supports Thread, the lock and thermostats are Matter compatible, and pairing uses NFC from an iPhone. | Apple Newsroom: Apple Home Collection |
| Protocols and ecosystems | |||
| Wi-Fi | Official | Hubs connect to the home Wi-Fi, and iPhone can provision Matter accessories onto Wi-Fi or Thread. Apple names no Wi-Fi band on the pages we read. | Apple: set up a home hub Apple Developer: Matter support |
| Bluetooth | Official | Apple says HomeKit over Bluetooth Low Energy is an MFi accessory technology, and iPhone Bluetooth must be on when pairing Thread accessories. Bluetooth range and hub roles are not detailed. | Apple Developer: Accessories Apple: Thread Border Router alert |
| Zigbee and Z-Wave | Unconfirmed | Not mentioned on the Apple pages we read. Apple's accessory list includes bridges and hubs from other makers (for example Philips Hue Bridge and Aqara Hub M2) but does not state which radios they use. | Apple: Home accessories |
| Thread | Official | Apple describes Thread as a low-power IP-based mesh and provides the ThreadNetwork framework for configuring border routers. Thread accessories need a Thread-enabled home hub or compatible third-party border router. A Thread version (1.4) statement was not found on an official page. | Apple Developer: HomeKit and Apple Home Apple: Thread Border Router alert Apple: pair and manage Matter accessories |
| 433/868 MHz and infrared | Not found | Not mentioned on the Apple pages we read. | Searched, no source |
| Matter (controller) | Official | Matter support arrived with iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, macOS Ventura, watchOS 9.1, tvOS 16.1 and HomePod software 16.1. Apple Home supports Matter accessories in the Home app, Siri, Control Center and HomeKit apps. Matter accessories can be added without a hub on iOS 18 or later. | Apple Developer: HomeKit and Apple Home Apple Developer: Matter support Apple: pair and manage Matter accessories |
| Matter version | Unconfirmed | Apple's pages do not state which Matter specification version Apple Home supports. The only version statement found is that Siri room cleaning for robot vacuums needs a vacuum supporting Matter v1.4, English (U.S.) only. | Apple: Home app Apple: pair and manage Matter accessories |
| Matter bridges and categories | Official | Bridges are listed among supported Matter types, with air conditioners, lights, locks, outlets, switches, thermostats, blinds and shades, and sensors. Works with Apple Home also lists air purifiers, fans and robot vacuum cleaners. iOS 18.4 added control of Matter robot vacuums in scenes and automations. | Apple: pair and manage Matter accessories Apple Developer: Works with Apple Home Apple: About iOS 18 updates |
| Matter multi-ecosystem pairing | Official | Matter accessories paired in another app can be added to the Home app, and paired accessories sync through iCloud Keychain. Apple names no other ecosystem on the pages we read. | Apple: pair and manage Matter accessories Apple Developer: Matter support |
| HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP) | Official | HAP is Apple's original accessory protocol. MFi licensees get the HAP specification, HomeKit ADK and certification tools, and a noncommercial specification version is linked from Apple's developer site. Apple's open-source HomeKit ADK repository is archived since 28 October 2025. | Apple Developer: HomeKit and Apple Home Apple Developer: Accessories GitHub: apple/HomeKitADK |
| Works with Apple Home | Official | A badge for Matter-certified accessories showing compatibility with the Apple Home app and Siri. It requires CSA Matter certification and interoperability testing, and Apple's review of the test results. HomeKit accessories need MFi Program membership. | Apple Developer: Works with Apple Home |
| KNX and MQTT | Not found | Not mentioned on the Apple pages we read. | Searched, no source |
| Siri | Official | Siri can control lights, thermostats and other accessories and run scenes. HomePod uses Siri for home control. Siri AI is in beta from iOS 27 in English and some other languages and is not initially available in the EU. | Apple: scenes and automations Apple: control your home on HomePod Apple: iOS 27 |
| Google Home, Alexa and SmartThings | Not found | Not named on the Apple pages we read. | Searched, no source |
| Philips Hue | Official | Apple's accessory list shows Philips Hue Bridge as supported, for Hue bulbs, light fittings, switches and sensors. | Apple: Home accessories Works with Philips Hue |
| Home Assistant and Homey | Not found | No Apple page we found mentions either platform. | Searched, no source |
| Apps, integrations and developer access | |||
| Official apps | Official | Home app on iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, Apple Vision and Mac. Apple's App Store listing is free and says some features need Apple Intelligence, a home hub or iCloud+. | App Store: Home Apple: Home app Apple: Home on Mac |
| Accessory ecosystem | Official | Apple says over 50 brands worldwide offer products on its accessories page, as shown on the page we read. The list may not be exhaustive. | Apple: Home accessories |
| Automations and scenes | Official | Automations can trigger on time, location (people arriving or leaving), or an accessory turning on, off or detecting something. Location triggers need Share My Location on the primary iPhone or iPad, and a Mac cannot trigger them. A home hub should be set up first. | Apple: scenes and automations Apple: Home on iOS |
| Siri home control | Official | Apple gives examples such as turning on lights, setting a scene or asking whether a door is locked. HomePod software 27.2 or later is the version covered in Apple's HomePod guide. | Apple: control your home on HomePod |
| HomeKit Secure Video and iCloud | Official | Needs a supported iCloud+ plan (the subscriber can be in Family Sharing), a compatible HomeKit camera and a home hub. Apple lists 50 GB for one camera, 200 GB for up to five and 2 TB for unlimited cameras, and 10 days of event history. Footage is stored encrypted in iCloud. | Apple: HomeKit Secure Video (iCloud guide) Apple Newsroom: Apple Home Collection Apple: Home on iOS |
| iCloud and account requirements | Official | Keep iCloud Keychain and two-factor authentication on. Devices must use the same Apple Account with Home turned on to view HomeKit Secure Video. Only the home owner can add a hub. | Apple: set up a home hub Apple: HomeKit Secure Video (iCloud guide) |
| Apple Home architecture update | Official | Apple says support for the previous version of Apple Home ended on 10 February 2026. Updating adds guest access, robot vacuum support and Activity History, and requires a home hub for sharing and notifications. | Apple: update to the latest Apple Home |
| Developer frameworks | Official | HomeKit, MatterSupport and ThreadNetwork frameworks, plus EnergyKit for grid forecasts. Xcode includes the certified Matter SDK. Matter accessories to be sold need CSA certification. | Apple Developer: HomeKit and Apple Home Apple Developer: Matter support |
| Community integrations | Unconfirmed | Apple's pages do not mention community bridges such as Homebridge; none were verified on an official page. | Searched, no source |
Checked 11 November 2026 against the brand's own pages, app store listings and each project's own page. “Not found” means we searched and found nothing, not that it is impossible. Compatibility changes often. Spot an error? Tell us and we will fix it.