HomeKit and Apple's Home app have received a number of exciting new features with iOS 18. Although these updates weren't highlighted at the WWDC keynote, they offer a variety of improvements and new possibilities for your smart home. Below you'll learn all about the new features, such as guest access, power consumption integration, and much more.
With iOS 18, iPadOS 18 and macOS Sequoia, Apple has further optimized the smart home experience. These new updates not only offer more control over your devices but also improved usability. From managing guest access to integrating robot vacuum cleaners - the new features are designed to make your home even smarter and safer.
Customize Access: Management of guest access
One of the most significant new features in iOS 18 is the introduction of Customize Access. This feature allows you to control exactly when and how people can access your HomeKit devices. With this feature, you can:
- Create schedules for guests
- Make certain devices accessible only at certain times
- Increase the security of your home by restricting access to sensitive devices such as alarm systems and door locks
However, to use this feature you need a HomeHub.
Express mode for door locks
The new Express Mode in iOS 18 makes it much easier for you to access your home. With this feature, door locks are automatically unlocked when you approach with an iPhone or Apple Watch. This means you no longer have to hold your device to the lock to open it. The requirements for this feature are:
- An iPhone or Apple Watch with an ultra-wideband chip
- An ultra-broadband lock
Support for robot vacuum cleaners
Another exciting addition is support for robot vacuum cleaners. Later this year, Apple plans to add key robot vacuum cleaner features to the Home app. You'll be able to:
- manage power control and cleaning modes
- Monitor the vacuuming and wiping status
- Check the charging status
- Integrating the robots into automations and scenes
- use Siri requests to control the robots
integration of electricity consumption
A particularly useful feature in iOS 18 is the integration of power usage into the Home app. This feature is initially only available to select customers of the Pacific Gas and Electric Company in the US, but will later be expanded to other providers. With this integration, users can:
- Monitor your power consumption directly in the Home app
- View your tariff plan
- Better manage energy savings
This feature is expected to be available to additional providers by the end of 2024.
HomeKit updates in iOS 18: Focus on convenience and security
The new features of HomeKit in iOS 18 offer a range of improvements that make your smart home even more convenient and secure. From detailed management of guest access and the practical express mode for door locks to the integration of robot vacuum cleaners and the monitoring of your power consumption - Apple continues to set the standard in smart home technology. Look out for further updates and features to follow in the future to make your home even smarter. Are you looking for new accessories? Then take a look in our Amazon Storefront - there you will find numerous products from leading suppliers, also for HomeKit and Co.! (Photo by hadrian / Bigstockphoto)
