Apple today confirmed that the iPad will no longer be able to be used as a home hub following the launch of iOS 16, iPadOS 16, macOS Ventura and HomePod 16 software this fall.
As MacRumors now reported, Steve Moser discovered in the iOS 16 code that the iPad is no longer supported as a home hub. This information is displayed in the Home app after updating to iOS 16.
A home hub is required to use features like receiving accessory notifications and letting others control your home. You won't be able to view shared homes until those homes are also updated to the latest HomeKit. iPad is no longer supported as a home hub.
If Apple stops supporting the iPad as a HomeKit hub, users will need a HomePod, HomePod mini, or Apple TV to use the features of a hub, such as remotely accessing accessories with Siri and using location-based automation features.
iPadOS 16: Removal of Home Hub feature could be related to Matter
Apple's iOS 16 preview webpage hinted that the iPad cannot be used as a home hub. However, this has only now been officially confirmed, as it was still possible to set up an iPad as a home hub in the first iPadOS 16 beta. The wording of the code in the second beta of iOS 16 suggests that Apple is removing home hub functionality from the iPad. The company has not explained why the iPad will no longer function as a home hub. But it could be related to Apple's upcoming cross-platform implementation of the Matter smart home standard. Matter will be introduced later this year and will allow HomeKit users to add more smart home accessories to their HomeKit setups. Whether your device is compatible with the new software, you can find out here. (Photo by DenPhoto / Bigstockphoto)
