Apple HomeKit Appliance Compatibility (2026)

Current HomeKit support#

Every major appliance brand answers the same way on native HomeKit: no. Samsung runs SmartThings, LG runs ThinQ, GE runs SmartHQ, Whirlpool and KitchenAid share the Whirlpool app, Bosch uses Home Connect, Miele uses Miele@mobile, and Electrolux uses its own app — all of them integrate with Alexa and Google Home, none with HomeKit. This isn't a temporary gap; it reflects a structural mismatch with Apple's certification requirements rather than an oversight any single brand plans to fix soon.

Why appliances skip HomeKit#

Three reasons. First, Apple's HomeKit Accessory Protocol demands end-to-end encryption that appliance makers would have to implement on low-power control boards not built for that overhead. Second, HomeKit was designed for simple on-off devices, and an appliance's multi-step interaction — select cycle, set options, confirm, start — doesn't map cleanly onto its device model; a washer isn't a light switch. Third, any remote-start capability for an oven or gas appliance needs UL and CSA safety certification, and adding HomeKit as a third control path means re-certifying that safety system for a smaller user base after brands already invested in Alexa and Google.

The Matter path#

Matter is the industry protocol built to solve exactly this — Matter over Thread and over Wi-Fi let one device work with HomeKit, Alexa, Google Home, and SmartThings at once through a single integration. The current status: Samsung has announced Matter for select 2026 refrigerators and washers (not yet shipping), LG plans it for 2027 models, GE has no public appliance timeline, and Bosch/BSH targets Home Connect via Matter in 2027. Once brands ship Matter models, those appliances appear in the Apple Home app automatically, with an Apple HomePod or Apple TV acting as the Matter controller — no HomeKit-specific work from the brand.

Workarounds today#

Three options bridge the gap now. Homebridge, an open-source server on a Raspberry Pi or always-on computer, exposes SmartThings, ThinQ, and Whirlpool appliances to HomeKit via community plugins — unofficial, and it can break with app updates. Apple Shortcuts with Siri can trigger a brand app's automation (SmartThings and ThinQ support Siri Shortcuts), giving voice control without true HomeKit integration. Or simply keep an Alexa or Google device for appliances and use HomeKit for everything else — the most reliable current solution.

Our recommendation#

Don't choose or reject a smart appliance based on HomeKit compatibility — none supports it today, and Matter will make the question moot within a couple of years. Pick based on the brand's own app quality and reliability, and if you're an Apple household that wants voice control right now, use Homebridge, Siri Shortcuts, or a secondary Alexa or Google device in the meantime.

Frequently Asked Questions#

Do any smart appliances work with Apple HomeKit?#

As of 2026, no major brand — Samsung, LG, GE, Whirlpool, Bosch, Miele — supports HomeKit directly. They use proprietary platforms that integrate with Alexa and Google, not HomeKit.

Will Matter add HomeKit support to appliances?#

Yes, eventually. Samsung announced Matter for select 2026 models, LG plans 2027, and Bosch targets 2027. Once Matter models ship, they appear in Apple Home automatically, with wide availability expected 2027 to 2028.

How can I control appliances with Siri right now?#

Two ways: Siri Shortcuts that trigger a brand app's automation (SmartThings and ThinQ support them), or Homebridge on a Raspberry Pi exposing appliances to HomeKit via plugins. Both are workarounds, not native integration.

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