Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
iMore
iMore
Technology
Gerald Lynch

Apple Home will soon unlock your front door for you automatically, and give guests time-limited access to your smart home security devices

Apple
A front door with an iPhone in front of it.
WWDC 2024
(Image credit: Apple)

1. iOS 18 — what's next for iPhone?
2. iPadOS 18 — will Apple finally unleash the power of iPad?
3. macOS 15 — what's new for Mac?
4. Apple Intelligence — what will it be able to do?

We’ve all been there — scrambling for our keys at our home’s front door with arms full of shopping bags, babies, pets, rubbish bags, drunken friends. Delete as appropriate, but getting that key into that lock sometimes is harder than it sounds.

At WWDC 2024 Apple announced a new feature for its smart home controlling Home app that might save you some of that hassle. A new ‘hands-free unlock’ option will let the app speak to compatible door locks and, with your permission, automatically unlock them when you’re within six feet of the door. 

Apple is yet to reveal which locks will be compatible with the new feature, but we’d hope it’ll include some of the best HomeKit door locks. The feature will roll out as part of the wider iOS 18 update, expected to land alongside the iPhone 16 in September — though you can download the iOS 18 beta right now if you want to gamble with a potentially buggy pre-release software build.

Guest access for your trusted visitors

That’s not the only new thing coming to the Home app. If you’ve got visitors heading to your Jetsons-like smart home, you’ll soon be able to give them time-limited access to your pad’s security features.

Guests will be able to control locks, garage doors, and security systems with your permission, on either individual event-based occasions, or as part of an ongoing schedule — perfect if you have regular house visitors like cleaners, dog walkers, or babysitters.

A few smaller updates round out the Home app’s new feature set, including energy monitoring with some utility companies, starting with Pacific Gas & Electric Company in California, robot vacuum cleaner control complete with Siri voice command activation, and the ability to activate Spatial Audio features on third-party speakers with using AirPlay to stream compatible music and movie soundtracks to those devices. 

Looking for a great HomeKit lock? Don't miss out on the Level Lock+ :

More from iMore

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
I tried the viral microwave makeup sponge cleaning hack and won't be doing it again – here's what works better instead
The method was inefficient, potentially dangerous, and my sponge looked the same as before
Homes & Gardens
Homes & Gardens
Rufus Wainwright: ‘I had a great party trick, but it once blew up in my face’
The singer-songwriter on his most memorable fan, his love of Chappell Roan, and his close friend and nemesis Jake Shears
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Will there be an Arcane season 3? Here's what the creators have said about what's coming next
A look ahead to League of Legends' on-screen future
Total Film
Total Film
I Tried Lab-Grown Salmon. Here's What It Tasted Like.
Cultivated meat is getting better and better. That's why states keep trying to ban it.
Reason
Reason
Beatles songs "imprinted" on Paul Reiser
On "Everything Fab Four," he discusses his new comedy special, working with Michael McDonald and visiting Liverpool
Salon
Salon
Best tinted serums to get your skin glowing
The ultra-lightweight base product packed with skin-loving ingredients
Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play