Downgrading HomeKit back to old architecture

Here's the answer to the question above I want to share with you. Even apple support didn't know this answer. After "upgrading" homekit, on some of your devices the Home app will not work. I found a solution in another forum, that I want to post here.

On you Ios device, got to : http://appldnld.apple.com/iOSProfiles/KeepLegacyHome.mobileconfig

install the profile
go to settings - HomeKit - rest
press the red button, or choose "Reset configuration". (it will reset all of your Homes and you’ll need to do everything from scratch)
Wait 10-15 minutes without touching devices with your Apple ID (as it also resets all server side settings)
Open home and create a new home. It will be with old architecture. If you want to check if it was downgraded you can check if it’s possible to add an iPad as a hub (with new architecture it’s not possible, or, more obvious, to check if there is an upgrade banner in the Updates menu)

And you'll be up and running again on all your devices.

Posted on Jun 17, 2023 4:30 PM

Top-ranking reply

l2iddick

Level 1

12 points

Posted on Jan 15, 2024 11:23 PM

This solution worked for me.

For those who are not sure how to do it.

Open the URL via your phone or tablet (IOS Device), and then go to Settings --> install the profile.

First, close the Home app and make sure it is not running in the background. then from the phone setting find Homekit, and click on reset. if you have an older Apple device that uses the same iTunes account, it's better to do it on the older device (at least worked in my case). once you reset the Homekit. go back to the home app and add a new home.

In my case I am using Phillips Hue Bridge at home, I didn't have much trouble since the Phillips app kept the Bridge and devices for me I just needed to add the bridge and then all sensors/lights/devices started showing up. all needed to do was categorize them again in Apple Home which didn't take more than 20 min.

Good luck and thanks @Frenkieboy for the help.

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49 replies

Frenkieboy Author

Level 1

31 points

Apr 28, 2024 10:36 AM in response to Smaxber

Yes, no problem. It's only used to do the downgrade

Apr 28, 2024 12:01 PM in response to MaddogLee

You and I both, and everyone else impacted by this vendor lock-in abhorrent move!

Frenkieboy Author

Level 1

31 points

Jun 26, 2023 3:16 PM in response to Amfroid

I'm not sure what this update really does. But it messed up my sharing as well. I ran the profile on my iPhone 13 pro. After that I still couldn't get the automation to work properly. It worked twice, then alle my hue lights were erased again. After that I ran the profile on my iPad pro too. I reset the Hue app somehow, and exported everything again from the hue app (settings>speech assistants>Siri and Apple home). I set my iPad as home hub, although I also have an Apple TV 4th gen. Since then everything works again. Hope this is off some help

Frenkieboy Author

Level 1

31 points

Oct 15, 2023 3:10 AM in response to Josh-Schiller

I just did a quick search for a solution to your problem, only to find out that this reset is still a big hassle for a lot of users. And Apple is no help at all.

Is the profile installed on your device ? Check Settings > General > VPN >Downloaded profiles. If yes remove and try again.

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Downgrading HomeKit back to old architecture