Home Assistant 2026.9.0 Brings New iOS Widgets, Apple Watch Redesign, CarPlay Controls, and Faster App Launches
Home Assistant has released a major iOS app update, bringing a fresh set of smart home features for iPhone, Apple Watch, and CarPlay users. The new Home Assistant version 2026.9.0 arrives after the 2026.7.x updates from July and August, and it introduces a wide range of improvements designed to make home automation easier, faster, and more convenient across Apple devices.
One of the biggest additions in this update is a new energy widget for the iPhone Home Screen and Lock Screen. This gives users a quicker way to monitor power consumption and keep an eye on household energy usage without opening the full Home Assistant app. For anyone using Home Assistant to track electricity consumption, solar production, or smart meter data, the new widget should make daily energy monitoring more accessible.
The update also adds a second Calendar widget, allowing users to view upcoming events directly from the Home Screen or Lock Screen. This makes Home Assistant more useful as a daily dashboard, combining smart home information with personal scheduling at a glance.
Assist, Home Assistant’s voice assistant feature, also receives attention in version 2026.9.0. A new medium-sized Assist widget is now available, and it supports more than one pipeline. This gives users more flexibility when interacting with their smart home through voice commands, especially in setups where multiple Assist configurations are being used.
Lock Screen functionality has been expanded as well. Users can now view timers and follow the progress of live activities from the Lock Screen and Dynamic Island. This is especially useful for time-sensitive automations, reminders, or smart home actions where quick visibility matters.
Apple Watch users are also getting a notable upgrade. The Home Assistant app for Apple Watch has been redesigned, giving it a refreshed experience for controlling smart home devices from the wrist. A new Labs feature adds deeper customization options, allowing users to better tailor the watch app to their preferences.
Another important addition is the ability to share health data with Home Assistant. This could open the door for more personalized automations based on wellness and activity information, depending on how users choose to configure their smart home system.
Home Assistant 2026.9.0 also introduces support for syncing Apple Reminders with the Home Assistant to-do list. This makes task management more seamless for users who rely on Apple’s built-in reminders while also using Home Assistant as a central hub for household organization.
For drivers, the update brings expanded CarPlay support. Climate and vacuum controls can now be accessed through CarPlay, making it easier to adjust home temperature settings or manage cleaning devices while on the road. This adds another layer of convenience for users who want quick access to key smart home controls from their vehicle.
Beyond the new features, the update includes several bug fixes and performance improvements. Home Assistant says issues related to widgets, Assist, and deep links have been addressed. The app should also launch faster, helping users access smart home controls more quickly.
Additional refinements have been made to settings, entity pickers, and the camera player. These improvements should make the app smoother and more reliable, especially for users with larger or more complex smart home setups.
Home Assistant for iOS version 2026.9.0 is now available through the Apple App Store. For iPhone, Apple Watch, and CarPlay users, this update delivers a meaningful upgrade with better widgets, improved automation access, enhanced customization, and faster overall performance.
