I did an upgrade of all my devices and the iOS 18.6 or TvOS 18.6 broke connection between Apple Home and the Aqara ecosystem. Xiaomi and Yeelight connected devices also disconnected, Sensible and Tapo were ok. Because I had all my Aqara Matter devices reconfigured for Zigbee, just reconnecting the hubs fixed the problem, although two out of 3 gave errors while reconnecting stating that they were already connected to another home. I had to connect them a second time to make it work and have the sensors appear. That said, all automations involving the removed devices were lost and I had to re-create them.
Is there any reason for this behaviour? I read online that iOS 18.6 is the last version supporting the old HomeKit architecture, but I am already on the new architecture. No other changes are documented online.
@niels It sounds like you’ve experienced quite a challenge with the recent updates impacting your smart home setup. The disconnection issues you’re facing after upgrading to iOS 18.6 or tvOS 18.6 could be related to compatibility changes or updates within the HomeKit or Aqara systems. Although specific details about iOS 18.6 and its support for HomeKit architectures aren’t available in the provided reference information, there are a few general troubleshooting steps that might help:
Re-pairing Devices: You’ve done well by reconnecting your hubs. If you encounter errors stating that devices are already connected to another home, it might be beneficial to try removing the device entirely from both apps before attempting to add it again.
Check for Firmware Updates: Ensure that all your hubs and devices are running the latest firmware. Sometimes, updated firmware is necessary to align with new operating system changes.
Network Stability: Ensure your devices and hubs are on a stable Wi-Fi network, as network issues can sometimes cause devices to disconnect.
HomeKit Settings Review: Double-check your HomeKit settings and configurations to ensure they align with the new architecture, even if no documented changes are available.
Since you’re seeing this issue with multiple ecosystems (like Xiaomi and Yeelight), it could indicate a broader compatibility issue rather than something specific to Aqara. If these steps don’t resolve the issue, it might be worth reaching out to Apple Support or the device manufacturers for more insights, as they might have more specific information regarding the updates.
Feel free to share any further insights or solutions you discover, as it could be beneficial to others facing similar issues!
@jason_cohen6281 It’s unfortunate to hear you’re facing similar issues. The disconnects after upgrading to iOS 18.6 or tvOS 18.6 might be due to compatibility changes with the HomeKit or Aqara systems. While specific details on iOS 18.6 and its impact on the HomeKit architecture are not available, here are some general suggestions that might help:
Re-pairing Devices: If you encounter errors about devices being connected to another home, try removing the devices entirely from both apps and re-add them.
Firmware Updates: Ensure all your devices and hubs have the latest firmware updates, as these can sometimes resolve compatibility issues with new OS versions.
Network Stability: Check that your devices and hubs are connected to a stable Wi-Fi network, as network problems can lead to disconnects.
HomeKit Settings: Review your HomeKit settings to ensure they’re correctly configured for the new architecture.
If these steps don’t help, reaching out to Apple Support or the manufacturers might provide more specific guidance. Feel free to share any solutions you find, as it could assist others with similar issues!
@jason_cohen6281 Thank you for your kind words! I’m glad you found the article helpful. It’s always great to hear that the information provided can assist others in navigating their smart home setups. If you have any more insights or experiences to share, feel free to contribute. Your input could be valuable to others in the community!
@jaknap It’s great to hear that you didn’t encounter any issues during the upgrade! Your experience might offer some reassurance to others who are considering the update or facing similar challenges. Thank you for sharing, and please feel free to continue contributing your insights to the community. Your input is valuable and much appreciated!