News
What happened
We’re updating which Apple platforms the Home Assistant Companion app supports, and because transparency is core to how we work, we want to be upfront about what’s changing. Starting with version 2026.8.0 of the Companion app, we will no longer support iOS 15, watchOS 8, or macOS 11. The last supported version for these platforms will be 2026.7.1. Here’s everything you need to know: Why we’re making the change At Home Assistant, we’re committed to helping you use your devices for the long haul. We know your hardware is something you rely on every day, which is why we try to keep the Companion app running on older devices for as long as possible. However, supporting older OS versions indefinitely comes at a cost, limiting our ability to adapt to modern technology. From September this year, Apple’s developer tools will officially stop supporting watchOS 8 and macOS 11, making it technically difficult for us to keep building for them. With less than 1% of our users currently running these older OS versions, this update allows us to future-proof the Companion app for the vast majority of our community. By focusing our efforts on current operating system versions, we can keep our codebase maintainable for the long term. This shift removes some long-standing constraints, since older OS versions had been limiting our ability to make UX, stability, and performance improvements, including adding features such as Apple Watch complications and more advanced widgets. What this means for you A recap of what’s changing: The last Companion app update for these platforms will be version 2026.7.1. After version 2026.7.1, the minimum supported versions for the Companion app will be iOS 16.4, watchOS 9, and macOS 12. Importantly, this doesn’t mean your older iOS devices will become unusable. You can still control your home using the Home Assistant frontend in your device’s web browser, which remains fully supported and receives regular monthly updates. The last compatible Companion ap
We’re updating which Apple platforms the Home Assistant Companion app supports, and because transparency is core to how we work, we want to be upfront about what’s changing. Starting with version 2026.8.0 of the Companion app, we will no longer support iOS 15, watchOS 8, or macOS 11. The last supported version for these platforms will be 2026.7.1. Here’s everything you need to know: Why we’re making the change At Home Assistant, we’re committed to helping you use your devices for the long haul. We know your hardware is something you rely on every day, which is why we try to keep the Companion app running on older devices for as long as possible. However, supporting older OS versions indefinitely comes at a cost, limiting our ability to adapt to modern technology. From September this year, Apple’s developer tools will officially stop supporting watchOS 8 and macOS 11, making it technically difficult for us to keep building for them. With less than 1% of our users currently running these older OS versions, this update allows us to future-proof the Companion app for the vast majority of our community. By focusing our efforts on current operating system versions, we can keep our codebase maintainable for the long term. This shift removes some long-standing constraints, since older OS versions had been limiting our ability to make UX, stability, and performance improvements, including adding features such as Apple Watch complications and more advanced widgets. What this means for you A recap of what’s changing: The last Companion app update for these platforms will be version 2026.7.1. After version 2026.7.1, the minimum supported versions for the Companion app will be iOS 16.4, watchOS 9, and macOS 12. Importantly, this doesn’t mean your older iOS devices will become unusable. You can still control your home using the Home Assistant frontend in your device’s web browser, which remains fully supported and receives regular monthly updates. The last compatible Companion app version (2026.7.1) will also remain available on the App Store, and the source code will stay accessible on GitHub for any users who want to compile the app themselves. Looking ahead This update means a stronger, more capable Companion app for everyone going forward, and it’s part of how we keep Home Assistant evolving. We appreciate your understanding and support through this change, and are looking forward to building what’s next.
Release at a glance
Key facts from the announcement.
Version
2026.8.0
Source
Home Assistant
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Changes at a glance
What's new
We’re updating which Apple platforms the Home Assistant Companion app supports, and because transparency is core to how we work, we want to be upfront about what’s changing. Starting with version 2026.8.0 of the Companion app, we will no longer support iOS 15, watchOS 8, or macOS 11. The last supported version for these platforms will be 2026.7.1. Here’s everything you need to know: Why we’re making the change At Home Assistant, we’re committed to helping you use your devices for the long haul. We know your hardware is something you rely on every day, which is why we try to keep the Companion app running on older devices for as long as possible. However, supporting older OS versions indefinitely comes at a cost, limiting our ability to adapt to modern technology. From September this year, Apple’s developer tools will officially stop supporting watchOS 8 and macOS 11, making it technically difficult for us to keep building for them. With less than 1% of our users currently running these older OS versions, this update allows us to future-proof the Companion app for the vast majority of our community. By focusing our efforts on current operating system versions, we can keep our codebase maintainable for the long term. This shift removes some long-standing constraints, since older OS versions had been limiting our ability to make UX, stability, and performance improvements, including adding features such as Apple Watch complications and more advanced widgets. What this means for you A recap of what’s changing: The last Companion app update for these platforms will be version 2026.7.1. After version 2026.7.1, the minimum supported versions for the Companion app will be iOS 16.4, watchOS 9, and macOS 12. Importantly, this doesn’t mean your older iOS devices will become unusable. You can still control your home using the Home Assistant frontend in your device’s web browser, which remains fully supported and receives regular monthly updates. The last compatible Companion app version (2026.7.1) will also remain available on the App Store, and the source code will stay accessible on GitHub for any users who want to compile the app themselves. Looking ahead This update means a stronger, more capable Companion app for everyone going forward, and it’s part of how we keep Home Assistant evolving. We appreciate your understanding and support through this change, and are looking forward to building what’s next.
Breaking changes
No breaking changes were reported in the source material.
Analysis
In detail
We’re updating which Apple platforms the Home Assistant Companion app supports, and because transparency is core to how we work, we want to be upfront about what’s changing. Starting with version 2026.8.0 of the Companion app, we will no longer support iOS 15, watchOS 8, or macOS 11. The last supported version for these platforms will be 2026.7.1. Here’s everything you need to know: Why we’re making the change At Home Assistant, we’re committed to helping you use your devices for the long haul. We know your hardware is something you rely on every day, which is why we try to keep the Companion app running on older devices for as long as possible. However, supporting older OS versions indefinitely comes at a cost, limiting our ability to adapt to modern technology. From September this year, Apple’s developer tools will officially stop supporting watchOS 8 and macOS 11, making it technically difficult for us to keep building for them. With less than 1% of our users currently running these older OS versions, this update allows us to future-proof the Companion app for the vast majority of our community. By focusing our efforts on current operating system versions, we can keep our codebase maintainable for the long term. This shift removes some long-standing constraints, since older OS versions had been limiting our ability to make UX, stability, and performance improvements, including adding features such as Apple Watch complications and more advanced widgets. What this means for you A recap of what’s changing: The last Companion app update for these platforms will be version 2026.7.1. After version 2026.7.1, the minimum supported versions for the Companion app will be iOS 16.4, watchOS 9, and macOS 12. Importantly, this doesn’t mean your older iOS devices will become unusable. You can still control your home using the Home Assistant frontend in your device’s web browser, which remains fully supported and receives regular monthly updates. The last compatible Companion app version (2026.7.1) will also remain available on the App Store, and the source code will stay accessible on GitHub for any users who want to compile the app themselves. Looking ahead This update means a stronger, more capable Companion app for everyone going forward, and it’s part of how we keep Home Assistant evolving. We appreciate your understanding and support through this change, and are looking forward to building what’s next.
Why it matters
If you run self-hosted infrastructure, homelab services, or automation stacks, this update is worth tracking before you change production.
Homelab impact
If you run related services in your homelab, review whether this update affects your current deployment. Check compatibility with your Docker Compose files, reverse proxy config, or network setup before you upgrade production stacks.
What to do next
Practical steps for operators running self-hosted stacks.
This brief covers what you need from Home Assistant's reporting. Visit the original post for release notes, changelogs, and full technical documentation.