Plenty of robotic vacuums will quickly be supported in iOS 18.4
The primary beta for iOS 18.4 provides assist for controlling robotic vacuums through Apple Residence, with a number of high-profile fashions able to assist it.
The official launch of iOS 18.4 is at present anticipated to be in April, however testing on the primary beta is underway by builders. AppleInsider was capable of affirm that whereas initially not user-facing, the replace does embrace the requisite model of Matter to assist robotic vacuums.
Robotic vacuums and mops will probably be accessible in Apple Residence due to Matter, the up-and-coming good residence customary meaning to unify the varied ecosystems. Robotic vacuums have been first added to Matter in model 1.2 through the fall of 2023, however was but to be supported by Apple.
At WWDC 2024, Apple promised vacuums have been arriving in iOS 18 however have been delayed till the “finish of 2024.” The adoption was as soon as once more quietly pushed, transferring it into 2025 and now seemingly, the iOS 18.4 replace.
At the moment, the Switchbot S10 Robotic Vacuum and Mop is the one one accessible that helps Matter and the Residence app, with exceptions. If added through a Switchbot hub, it would present as an on/off change in Apple Residence, but when added immediately from the bot, will present appropriately as a vacuum cleaner as of the primary beta of iOS 18.4.
Bluesky person James Prochnow famous in a put up that he has examined the S10, and located that it’s already supported on the iPhone’s Residence app. The unit is at present accessible on the market for $1,199.
AppleInsider reviewed a smaller model of the vacuum, the K10, a yr in the past. On the time, Matter assist was not but carried out, however on/off assist was added in April of 2024.
A YouTube video demonstrating the Switchbot robotic vacuum is at present accessible from Good Residence Centre. Along with controlling the S10 through the Residence app on an iPhone, iPad, or Apple TV, the Matter compatibility means it may well additionally reply to voice instructions.
@andrewosu.bsky.social @hilli.tech simply an FYI. Vacuum assist is in iOS 18.4. (That is with SwitchBot)
— james-prochnow.bsky.social (@james-prochnow.bsky.social) Feb 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Customers can use their voice to inform the vacuum to start out or cease cleansing, to return to its to its dock, or to allow or disable the mopping perform, and to change cleansing modes. The Switchbot S10 will also be managed by voice via HomePods or the Apple TV, and customers can add the S10 and supported future robotic vacuums to HomeKit automations and scenes.
Matter 1.4 introduced additional refinements to the robotic vacuum cleaner spec, such because the Service Space Cluster. As AppleInsider is conscious, it will enable customers to set rooms and zones with the manufacture app, and set these service areas through the Residence app.
Tentatively, it seems that Apple has included this replace as properly with the Residence app. This might have been the reason for the delay on Apple’s rollout for a extra full-featured person expertise.
Whereas Switchbot does not assist Matter 1.4 in its implementation, Ecovacs and Roborock each have handed this certification on their fashions.
It is possible Roborock, Ecovacs, and others will all launch their Matter firmware updates as soon as Apple releases the ultimate model of iOS 18.4 this spring. The Matter robotic vacuum assist customary can be anticipated to be added to iPadOS 18.4, tvOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, and watchOS 11.4.