During the iOS 18 unveiling at WWDC 2024, Apple announced plans to give the Apple Home app support for the core functionality of vacuum cleaners by the end of 2024 — but those plans were delayed. Now that iOS 18.2 is live, new clues indicate that the next big iOS drop of 18.3 could finally bring Apple Home support for robot vacuums. 

Along with delaying robot vacuum support for HomeKit, Apple had already delayed several Apple Intelligence features that were expected with iOS 18 — which has been generally available since September — until the launch of version 18.2 some days ago. 

Also: The best robot vacuums for 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

The Home app’s iOS 18.3 beta 1 code features a list of values referencing robot vacuums, indicating that this is the iOS version that would give Apple Home robot vacuum control. This timeline supports what’s currently visible on Apple’s HomeKit page, which indicates that the robot vacuum “feature will be available in early 2025.”

Aside from the code references, Apple explains that the Home app will support “the core functionality of robot vacuum cleaners, such as power control, cleaning mode, vacuum, mop, and charge status. They can also participate in automations and scenes, and respond to Siri requests.”

Apple HomeKit support for robot vacuums would bring this device’s basic functions to the iOS Home app. While users shouldn’t expect to customize cleaning areas or set no-go zones from the Apple Home app, they should be able to start and stop cleanings or recall the robot to the charging dock. They should also be able to create automations and schedules through HomeKit.

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HomeKit support for robot vacuums will likely be provided through Matter, a smart home connectivity protocol that introduced robot vacuum support with its 1.2 release. This would indicate that only Matter-certified robot vacuums, of which there are just a handful on the market, could connect through HomeKit.

While Apple’s Home app doesn’t support robot vacuum control, other smart home platforms do — including Google Home and Amazon Alexa. Users can ask each assistant to run the robots with their voice.