Apple reportedly develops NFC proximity controls for HomeKit devices
Apple and LG are rumoured to be developing new HomeKit smart home features that could simplify device control. An NFC-based "Proximity Control" feature would display device controls in the iPhone's Dynamic Island when the phone is held near a device, built on the Matter protocol. This development matters because it could make smart home interactions more intuitive and streamlined for users.
According to a leak by "pdfu", a previously reliable source, the proximity control feature has appeared in iOS 27.0 code, with additional references spotted in iOS 27.2 beta. A separate leak also revealed a "tap to setup without power" pairing feature for upcoming devices. Apple is expected to announce these features at its "Welcome home" event on October 13th, where new products including a smart home hub with display, an updated HomePod Mini, and a new Apple TV may be unveiled.
- Apple and LG are developing NFC-based proximity controls for HomeKit devices.
- Controls would appear in iPhone's Dynamic Island when phone nears devices.
- Features could be announced at Apple's October 13th "Welcome home" event.
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Apple's HomeKit is the company's system for controlling smart home devices from your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch. Smart home devices such as lights, locks and thermostats can be automated or controlled remotely, but managing multiple devices currently often requires switching between different apps or manually selecting settings.
Apple and LG are reported to be developing a new HomeKit feature called Proximity Control that would use NFC technology to detect when your iPhone is held near a smart home device. When you hold your phone near a compatible device, relevant controls would appear on your phone's Dynamic Island—the small notch area at the top of newer iPhones—rather than requiring you to open an app.
The intended benefit of this feature is to make controlling smart home devices more intuitive and streamlined. The feature would be built on Matter, an industry standard protocol designed to improve compatibility between smart home devices from different manufacturers.
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Originally published by The Verge as “Apple and LG leak shows new ‘tap to control’ HomeKit features”.