Apple Home finally gets robot vacuum support, thanks to Matter and iOS 18.4

Apple Home is finally compatible with robot vacuums, thanks to multiple upgrades — from Apple, Matter, and robot manufacturers. Apple released iOS 18.4 yesterday, which includes support for robot vacuums via the Home app. Robot vacuum manufacturers, like iRobot and Roborock, have already released their firmware upgrades for their Matter-compatible robots to support Apple Home.

Robot vacuum compatibility for Apple Home was delayed for months after being announced last year as a feature coming with iOS 18. With iOS 18.4, however, robot vacuums are finally welcome in Apple Home. The compatibility allows iPhone users to control their robot vacuums via the Home app instead of juggling multiple apps for different devices. 

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It also makes it easier to run robot vacuums, as you can use voice control and say, “Siri, clean the kitchen,” to have your robot clean up after making dinner. You can also ask Siri to start, stop, and schedule cleaning sessions. Many robot vacuums are already compatible with Amazon Alexa, which lets you use voice control for commands, while a smaller number are compatible with Google Home. But this is the first time Siri and Apple Home are directly compatible (without using Shortcuts).

Having your robot vacuums in the Home app also means you can include these devices in your HomeKit automations. Your robot vacuums can interact with other devices in your home that were previously incompatible. For example, you can use Apple Home to create an automation to run the vacuum when you leave the house or a routine that turns on a specific smart light at 6 p.m. each day and have your Roomba begin cleaning when this light turns on. 

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The Matter 1.4 release, which came out last November, makes support for robot vacuums possible. Few robot vacuums on the market actually support Matter, but the ones that do should work with iOS 18.4 through Apple Home unless the manufacturer has to do a firmware update on the robot beforehand. 

iRobot has confirmed that the Roomba Combo 10 Max, its first Matter-compatible robot, officially works with Apple Home. Similarly, Roborock announced a major firmware update rolling out for select Roborock models through April 10 to enable their Matter integration. 

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This firmware upgrade will make the following Roborock robot vacuums compatible with Apple Home via Matter: S8 MaxV Utra, Saros Z70, Saros 10, Saros 10R, Qrevo Curv, Qrevo Edge, and Qrevo Master. They are also compatible with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. Roborock plans to upgrade the S8 Max Ultra and Qrevo Slim to support Matter over the coming weeks and months. 

Although Matter 1.4 added robot vacuum support, you may continue to notice some limitations when controlling your robot vacuum via a Matter controller, like using the Apple Home app. Matter 1.4 supports adding robot vacuums as devices and lets you start cleanings, schedule cleanings, direct your robot to clean specific rooms, cancel a session, and voice control. 

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However, if you use the Apple Home app to control your robot, more specific controls and advanced features, such as detailed mapping and cleaning customizations, may not be available. Therefore, you’ll likely still use the manufacturer’s application for some settings. 

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