According to PCWorld, Apple has officially extended the deadline for switching to its new Home architecture from fall 2025 to February 10, 2026. This gives users nearly two extra months beyond the original cutoff date. The updated support document confirms Apple won’t drop support for the older Home platform until that specific date. The new architecture was first introduced back in December 2022 promising more reliable smart home device operation. However, the initial rollout was plagued by issues including unresponsive hubs and devices stuck in updating mode. Apple ultimately pulled that version and released a retooled update in February 2023.
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Why the extra breathing room?
Here’s the thing – Apple‘s been trying to get everyone onto this new Home architecture for nearly three years now. And honestly? They’ve earned some user skepticism. That initial December 2022 rollout was basically a disaster, with widespread reports of broken smart homes and frustrated users. So it makes sense that plenty of people are still holding out.
There are two big reasons people haven’t switched. First, the trust factor – when your lights stop working or your thermostat goes haywire, you tend to get gun-shy about future updates. Second, and this is a big one, the new architecture killed iPad support as a home hub. If you’ve been using an iPad as your central control point, switching means you’ll need to buy an Apple TV 4K or HomePod instead.
What actually improved?
The revamped version that launched in February 2023 has been much more stable according to most reports. I made the switch myself around that time and haven’t had major issues. The new architecture basically rewrites how HomeKit devices communicate with each other and with Apple’s servers. It’s supposed to be faster and more reliable, especially for larger smart home setups.
But here’s the real question: if it’s working so well now, why extend the deadline? Probably because Apple knows there are still compatibility concerns with older devices, and they want to avoid another PR nightmare. Plus, with rumors swirling about updated HomePods and Apple TVs coming soon, they might be timing this transition with new hardware releases.
So should you make the jump now?
Look, if you’re still on the old architecture, you’ve got until February 2026. That’s plenty of time. But honestly? The new system has been stable for over a year now, and most of the early bugs have been ironed out. The main consideration is whether you’re using an iPad as your hub – because that functionality is gone forever in the new version.
Apple’s clearly committed to moving everyone over eventually. They’re probably using this extension to make the transition smoother and avoid forcing people during the holiday season. My advice? Don’t wait until the last minute – test the waters when you have time to troubleshoot. But the days of the old Home architecture are definitely numbered.
