Apple's Old Home Hub Support: A Final Extension
Apple users, take note! You've got a little extra time to keep using your iPad as a Home hub. The company has extended the deadline for the old HomeKit architecture, giving you a few more months before the transition is mandatory. The new deadline is February 10, 2026, so you have until then to decide whether to upgrade.
The refreshed Apple Home architecture has been available for a couple of years now, adding support for the Matter smart home standard. However, the update has been optional so far. One of the key reasons for the old architecture's longevity is its support for iPads as Home hubs. You can still use your iPad to control your smart home on the new architecture, but you'll need a separate hub device, like a HomePod or Apple TV.
The iPad's display makes it function similarly to a touchscreen smart display, like Amazon's Echo Show or Google's Nest Hub Max. Apple doesn't currently have a device to fill this gap in the new Apple Home architecture. Rumors suggest that a smart home display hub might be launched in spring 2026, which is just after the iPad's Home hub support ends.
So, if you've been holding off on updating, you now have a little extra time to consider your options. Will you stick with the old architecture and your trusty iPad, or will you embrace the new and potentially future-proof your smart home setup?
