A number of robotic vacuums will soon be supported in iOS 18.4
iOS 18.4’s first beta introduces support for controlling robot vacuums via Apple Home, with several popular models ready to be supported.
The official release of iOS 18.4 is expected in April, with developers currently testing the first beta. The update includes the necessary version of Matter to support robotic vacuums, although it may not be immediately visible to users.
Robotic vacuums and mops will now be accessible in Apple Home thanks to Matter, the emerging smart home standard that aims to unify various ecosystems. Robotic vacuums were initially integrated into Matter in version 1.2 in the fall of 2023 but had not yet been supported by Apple.
Apple initially pledged vacuum support in iOS 18 at WWDC 2024 but faced delays until late 2024. Subsequently, the adoption was quietly postponed to 2025 and now appears to be included in the iOS 18.4 update.
At present, the Switchbot S10 Robot Vacuum and Mop is the only model available that supports Matter and the Home app, with exceptions. When added through a Switchbot hub, it will display as an on/off switch in Apple Home. However, direct addition from the bot will accurately depict it as a vacuum cleaner in the first beta of iOS 18.4.
User James Prochnow from Bluesky noted that he tested the S10 and found it already supported on the iPhone’s Home app. The unit is currently on sale for $1,199.
A year ago, AppleInsider reviewed a smaller version of the vacuum, the K10, which did not yet have Matter support but gained on/off support in April 2024.
A YouTube video showcasing the Switchbot robot vacuum is available from Smart Home Centre, demonstrating its control via the Home app on iOS devices and Apple TV. Matter compatibility enables it to respond to voice commands as well.
@andrewosu.bsky.social @hilli.tech just an FYI. Vacuum support is in iOS 18.4. (This is with SwitchBot)
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— james-prochnow.bsky.social (@james-prochnow.bsky.social) Feb 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Users can use voice commands to instruct the vacuum to start or stop cleaning, return to its dock, enable or disable the mopping function, and switch cleaning modes. The Switchbot S10 can also be voice-controlled via HomePods or Apple TV, and users can add the S10 and future supported robot vacuums to HomeKit automations and scenes.
Matter 1.4 introduced further refinements to the robotic vacuum cleaner specification, including the Service Area Cluster. This feature allows users to designate rooms and zones with the manufacturer’s app and set those service areas via the Home app.
Apple appears to have included this update in the Home app, potentially causing the delay in the rollout for a more comprehensive user experience. While Switchbot does not currently support Matter 1.4, Ecovacs and Roborock have both passed certification on their models.
It is expected that Roborock, Ecovacs, and other manufacturers will release their Matter firmware updates upon the final release of iOS 18.4 in spring. The Matter robot vacuum support standard is also anticipated to be added to iPadOS 18.4, tvOS 18.4, macOS 15.4, and watchOS 11.4.