Apple is reportedly dropping support for using the iPad as a Home Hub.
The company has rebuilt the Home app from the ground up with iOS 16 and iPadOS 16, and though the new features are welcome, it’s thought that the company is removing the ability to use your iPad as a Hub.
A Home Hub allows you to control compatible smart home devices from a designated ‘hub’ which must be powered on and connected to your home, even when you’re not there. Some other manufacturers have created their own ‘hub’ devices that plug into a power supply and remain switched on at all times, but Apple has so far allowed users to have their iPad serve as the bridge device.
Right now, it’s possible to designate an Apple TV, HomePod, or iPad as a Home Hub, but it appears as though support for the iPad has been removed. “Only Apple TV and HomePod are supported as home hubs,” the company states in a footnote on the iOS 16 website, suggesting support for the iPad has been permanently dropped.
For those with early iOS 16 beta access, you might find that you’re still able to use your iPad as a Home Hub. But because Apple has made it clear on its website that iPads are no longer supported, it’s thought that the ability to turn an iPad into a Home Hub will be removed when the software is officially released.
There’s no word on why Apple might be dropping iPad support, but it could be because Apple’s planning to support the cross-platform smart home standard Matter when it goes live later this year. The news, however, will be a blow to those who’ve spent time setting up their Home Hub – it’ll need to be redone when iOS 16 launches.
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