Release update Ecosystems
Apple Home, November 2025: iOS 26.1 is quiet, but your upgrade clock moved
iOS 26.1 landed on 3 November with nothing new inside the Home app. The month's real Apple Home news was a reprieve: the deadline to move off the old Home architecture shifted to 10 February 2026. Here's what changed, what didn't, and the one thing to check before then.
Part of Apple Home updates, our monthly release series
Every release
2025.11 Released 3 November 2025
Update, after one check The headline: iOS 26.1 brought no new Home features, but Apple pushed the deadline to upgrade the old Home architecture out to 10 February 2026, so the one job this month is making sure you're already on the new one.
In this release 2 smaller wins · 0 integrations added · 0 removed · no breaking changes
Check first
Nothing to check. Every setup is clear to update.
The main change: a longer runway to upgrade your Home architecture
iOS 26.1 shipped on 3 November 2025, and for once the Home app sat it out. Apple's release notes cover Liquid Glass, alarms and Live Translation, with not a single line about Home, HomeKit or Matter. If you were waiting on a new Home feature this month, there isn't one.
The Apple Home news that did matter arrived alongside it. Apple moved the retirement date for the old Home architecture from "later in 2025" out to 10 February 2026. That older architecture is the one Apple has been nudging people off for a couple of years. Homes set up long ago and never upgraded still run on it. After the cut-off, Apple stops supporting it, and an un-upgraded Home can hit interruptions with its accessories and automations.
The upgrade itself is quick and lives in the Home app: open Home Settings, look for the software update prompt, and follow it through. Every iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV signed into the home needs a recent OS version first. It is worth doing well before the February date rather than on it.
Two smaller wins
The changes most people will notice day to day. Scan the tags for the areas you use.
Appearance
Home tiles are easier to read
iOS 26.1 adds a tinted Liquid Glass mode. If the translucent look in iOS 26 made your accessory tiles and Home settings hard to read, the new option restores contrast across the app.
Audio
Smoother multi-room playback
Apple Music's AutoMix transitions now work over AirPlay, so continuous playback across HomePods and AirPlay speakers grouped in your Home flows without the gap between tracks.
Breaking changes
No breaking changes this month
Nothing is removed or renamed in 2025.11. Update whenever suits you.
Should you update?
Our verdict Update, after one check
Update now, with one thing to check. iOS 26.1 is a routine, safe update with nothing Home-specific to weigh up, so there is no reason to hold off.
The one job worth doing this month has nothing to do with the update itself: open the Home app and confirm you are on the new Home architecture. If you still see a prompt to upgrade, do it before 10 February 2026. Leave it past that date and you risk losing accessories and automations that work fine today.
Source: support.apple.com
Frequently asked questions
Did iOS 26.1 add anything to the Apple Home app?
No. Apple's iOS 26.1 release notes, published 3 November 2025, include no Home, HomeKit or Matter changes. It was a system update covering appearance, alarms and Live Translation.
What is the 10 February 2026 Home deadline?
It is the new date Apple will stop supporting the old Home architecture. Homes set up years ago and never upgraded still run on it. Upgrade before then, from Home Settings in the Home app, to avoid losing accessories and automations.
Is Matter 1.5 available in Apple Home now?
Not yet. The Matter 1.5 specification was published on 20 November 2025 and adds cameras, closures and soil sensors to the standard. Apple Home will gain support in a future update; it was not usable in November.
How do I upgrade my Home architecture?
Open the Home app, go to Home Settings, and follow the software update prompt. Every iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple TV signed into the home needs a recent OS version first.
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