Let people communicate with and control connected accessories in their home using your app. With the HomeKit or Matter framework, you can provide users the ability to configure accessories and create actions to control them. Group those actions together into powerful automations and trigger them using Siri.
The HomeKit framework enables your app to coordinate and control supported smart home accessories from multiple vendors to present a coherent, user-focused interface. Learn how your apps on iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS can seamlessly integrate with supported accessories.
With the release of iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, macOS Ventura, watchOS 9.1, tvOS 16.1, and HomePod software 16.1 you can now use your smart home apps with Matter, the new smart home connectivity standard that enables a wide variety of accessories to work together and across platforms. Apple’s Matter implementation is designed with privacy and security in mind, ensuring users are always in control of their smart home experience, while helping further interoperability between apps and ecosystems. Learn more about open source implementation of Matter on GitHub.
Thread is a low-power Internet Protocol-based mesh networking technology. A Thread mesh network is formed by all the Thread-enabled smart home accessories forwarding packets to each other, which improves coverage and builds redundancy. The ThreadNetwork framework provides apps with a rich set of APIs to configure Thread Border Routers to use a single common thread network and manage thread credentials.
If you plan to develop or manufacture a HomeKit accessory that will be distributed or sold, your company needs to be enrolled in the MFi Program. MFi licensees get access to the HomeKit Accessory Protocol Specification, HomeKit Accessory Development Kit (ADK), certification tools, and Works with Apple Home badge artwork.
Learn more about the MFi program
Apple has added support for the Matter standard in iOS 16.1, iPadOS 16.1, macOS Ventura, watchOS 9.1, tvOS 16.1, and HomePod software 16.1. Xcode includes the certified Matter SDK in its entirety, and you’re encouraged to use this version of the SDK for your Matter ecosystem apps. Apple will work continuously to keep it up-to-date. If you plan to distribute or sell a Matter accessory, you will need to submit that accessory for certification via the Connectivity Standards Alliance certification process.
The Works with Apple Home badge can be used to visually communicate that your accessory is compatible with the Apple Home and Siri on Apple devices.
If you plan to develop or manufacture a HomeKit accessory that will be distributed or sold, your company needs to be enrolled in the MFi Program.
For Matter-certified accessories, Works with Apple Home badge guidelines are available that provide information on requirements to use the badge and how to use the badge in your packaging and marketing communications.