Apple has set February 10, 2026 as the deadline for users to update their Home app to avoid potential smart home disruptions. The company sent out final reminders last week, warning that users who fail to upgrade may experience issues with accessories and automations, or lose access to their smart home entirely in the app.

This upgrade requirement stems from Apple's 2022 introduction of a new Home architecture described as "more reliable and efficient." Users who don't update will miss out on newer features like robot vacuum cleaner support and won't receive important security fixes and performance improvements. The update process is straightforward: open the Home app, navigate to Home Settings, and tap Software Update.

Notably, the new Home app version requires minimum operating system versions including iOS 16.2, iPadOS 16.2, macOS 13.1, tvOS 16.2, and watchOS 9.2. Apple emphasizes that all homes owned by a user are updated simultaneously. With the deadline now here, users who haven't upgraded should act immediately to ensure continued access to their smart home ecosystem and avoid potential functionality issues with their connected devices.