Users eagerly anticipating the new features of Apple’s upcoming iOS have a reason to be excited as the beta version of iOS 18.1 has started to show support for Adaptive Lighting for smart bulbs that are compatible with the Matter smart home standard. One of the most notable developments is that Nanoleaf’s Essentials Matter lights – among the first smart bulbs to leverage the Adaptive Lighting feature within Apple Home – are now functioning seamlessly with this upgrade.
Adaptive Lighting has been a hallmark of the Apple Home experience since iOS 14 and is known for its dynamic adjustment of light color and temperature to mirror the natural light patterns of the day. Previously, only a select number of manufacturers had the privilege of integrating this feature into their products. However, the latest iOS 18.1 beta seems to be signaling a change, with Matter-compatible devices now beginning to regain the functionalities they had lost during their initial Matter upgrade.
Several users pointed out that Nanoleaf’s smart bulbs, upon updating to be compatible with Matter, had initially lost the ability to use Adaptive Lighting, an issue that also affected Philips Hue products after users switched to the new Matter bridge. This progression in the iOS beta indicates that the compatibility issue is being addressed, much to the delight of smart home enthusiasts who are looking for a more seamless and integrated user experience.
Nanoleaf’s partnership with Apple is becoming increasingly prominent as they venture into bringing Adaptive Lighting to products compatible with Matter. With Nanoleaf’s CEO confirming ongoing trials, the successful implementation in the iOS betas suggests that it’s not just Nanoleaf that will benefit from Apple’s advanced lighting technology, but potentially other smart bulb manufacturers as well once iOS 18 officially launches.
As for the current state, the Nanoleaf Essentials series and Philips Hue lights look set to be the pioneers in Matter products that can make full use of Apple’s Adaptive Lighting technology. These devices have been interoperable with Apple Home for some time, and this update means that users who haven’t yet migrated their Hue lights to Matter can now do so with more confidence. Similarly, those already in possession of Matter-compatible devices, such as Nanoleaf’s A19 bulbs or LED strips, will be able to experience the enhanced functionality offered by Apple’s Adaptive Lighting.
It is worth noting, however, that for now, the extension of Adaptive Lighting to Matter smart bulbs is exclusively beneficial for customers using Apple’s HomeKit platform. Other platforms that support Matter, like Samsung SmartThings and Google Home, currently do not offer Adaptive Lighting, although future updates from the Connectivity Standards Alliance could change this.
As technology continues to evolve and smart home ecosystems become more integrated, the expansion of features like Adaptive Lighting to new standards promises to elevate the user experience significantly. The positive trend exhibited by the iOS 18 beta gives a glimpse of the potential integrations awaiting smart home users in the near future.
