IOS 14.6 HomeKit issues

I just heard back from Apple Support. The analyst let me know that the engineers have filed a “bug report” after their work looking at the enhanced logs. He said I should watch for software updates, although it may be some time since 14.6 was only recently released.

I feel like this is a decent outcome to at least receive acknowledgement of a bug and an indication that they will work on it. I expected them to place the blame on my network or my WiFi configuration, but sounds like they are owning it.

My theory (OK - speculation) is that Homekit uses a local cloud to share data between Home Hubs. This is because I don't need to be connected to the Internet for Homekit to work. I have an Apple TV 4K and Homepods running 14.6 that can act as hubs. I have held back on updating my iOS devices to 14.6 because of reports of problems but, in any case, I don't use the iPad as a Home Hub.

I have recently encountered intermittent Homekit problems such as some automations not working some of the time. For example yesterday morning a switch failed to come on but today it worked. Maybe one of the hubs (ATV?) is going to sleep and the handover to the other hub is not working correctly?

Oh interesting, I’m curious to understand what you saw when testing to think it may be an iCloud account issue? It sounds very interesting and would explain why only a limited number of users are complaining.

I had tested using my work iPhone that had never had a “Home” installed and a relatively new Apple ID. I installed an older plug and play WiFi access point and two smart plugs and I found the same symptoms in this test environment. It reinforced my thinking that the HomePod was the culprit but i was also thinking it could be server side processing.

im very interested to hear what you are told when support gets back to you!

Oh I see! Of all the things I tested, I did not properly test Siri on my iPhone. I had the mistaken impression that Siri on my iPhone was working properly but after reading your note I tried it and found the symptoms present…..

I understand why you suspect the iCloud account. I also think it could be related to the 14.6 upgrade but with the problem on the Server side vs. the local device.

I watched your video and am very impressed with your setup. Great job! Fingers crossed for a fast resolution.

Hi, it seems you're using non certified accessories in your Home (I saw Harmony tiles that are not HomeKit certified for sure). So from there, don't look much more : with uncertified accessories, it can corrupt your HomeKit backup on iCloud, even if you create a new home, HomeKit remembers everything, you can't fool it : I've tried to add an old iPad to my ID Apple with HomeKit disconnected in iCloud settings : I was having Home notifications on this iPad. And my Home setup remembers of accessories or scenes I've deleted long time ago and restore them every time I connect a new Apple device to my home (yeah, very strange but it does each time...)

The only way to resolve your problem : on a new Apple ID, create your Home and don't add any non certified accessories. By the way, every device MUST be on last OS to operate correctly, even your Macs. If you can't upgrade to Big Sur, you'll have to disconnect it from your Apple ID if your want a properly working Home setup. HomeKit needs to have each Apple device on the very last operating system.

Good luck !

Sorry, Kestralsanmorn, you’ve missed the mark, unfortunately. I repeated the issue using a brand new Apple ID with a brand new iPhone on a never used Home App with one Apple certified accessory.

Clearly, Jean has done the same.

Apple has reviewed my logs and determined that they have a bug to fix.

Jean , has the problem been resolved for you? On my end, it has been fixed. No more misinterpreting the current command and repeating the previous command. No updates have been made to the client so it seems like something has been updated on the server side. Hope it has been rolled out globally and you are benefiting as well!

I have am similar problem, ONLY on ios 14.6 devices.

When i say "hey siri, open the front door", Siri opens the garage door.

Is there a bugfix yet ? Or perhaps some bugfix coming in 12.7 ? Two friends of mine and me have exactly the same problem. It‘s really annoying.

it‘s there even if you delete all home hubs and completely reset your home. I tried it with Siri on iPhone (iOS 14.6)

[Edited by Moderator]