Dwelling Assistant is dropping assist for iOS 15, watchOS 8 and macOS 11 in its Companion app.
Dwelling Assistant, the open-source good dwelling platform, has constructed a repute for preserving legacy {hardware} purposeful lengthy after producers sometimes drop assist, a philosophy that shapes the way it now handles its personal app.
The change lands with Companion app model 2026.8.0, and model 2026.7.1 stays the ultimate launch to assist these three ageing working techniques throughout iPhone, Apple Watch and Mac units.
That timeline follows Apple’s personal developer instruments, which can cease supporting watchOS 8 and macOS 11 from September this 12 months, making continued builds for these platforms more and more troublesome to take care of.
Fewer than one p.c of Dwelling Assistant customers at present run these older working techniques, a sufficiently small share that the replace lets the workforce focus its assets on the platforms most individuals truly use.
What this implies for current customers
As soon as model 2026.7.1 is retired, the Companion app would require at the very least iOS 16.4, watchOS 9, or macOS 12, elevating the baseline for future software program updates.
Retiring assist for the older platforms additionally removes long-standing constraints that had restricted enhancements to person expertise, stability and efficiency, together with options comparable to Apple Watch issues and extra superior widgets.
Apple Watch issues and extra superior widget assist have been requested options amongst Dwelling Assistant customers for a while, and eradicating the burden of sustaining older software program lastly frees up growth time to construct them.
House owners of unsupported units is not going to lose entry to Dwelling Assistant solely, because the web-based frontend stays absolutely supported and continues to obtain month-to-month updates whatever the working system in use.
The final appropriate launch, model 2026.7.1, will keep out there on the App Retailer, and its supply code will stay accessible on GitHub for anybody desirous to compile the app independently.
Dwelling Assistant has not confirmed a precise retirement date for model 2026.7.1, solely that it stands as the ultimate construct for iOS 15, watchOS 8 and macOS 11 earlier than model 2026.8.0 arrives.
