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| Home Assistant’s app has been updated to version 2026.4.0 |
It’s been a quiet couple of months for Home Assistant fans on iPhone, but the wait is officially over. The open-source smart home juggernaut has just pushed out version 2026.4.0 of its iOS app — the first update since the February 2026 releases (2026.2 and 2026.2.1) that brought a shiny new entity picker and a slew of under-the-hood tweaks.
And while this isn’t a massive milestone release, the four changes included are turning heads — especially for CarPlay users, Apple Watch enthusiasts, and anyone who’s been craving enterprise-grade security for their DIY smart home setup.
Let’s break down exactly what’s new, what’s still in “Labs,” and where you can grab the update right now.
CarPlay Gets a Fresh Coat of Paint (Literally)
If you’re one of the many Home Assistant users who rely on CarPlay to control your garage door, lights, or thermostat while driving, this update is for you. The 2026.4.0 release brings improved user interface for CarPlay — but only for those running iOS 26 or newer.
That’s right, Apple’s next major mobile OS (expected later this year) isn’t even out yet, but the Home Assistant team is already future-proofing. According to the official release notes, the CarPlay UI has been refined for better glanceability and easier touch targets. However, the developers are keeping mum on specifics. No before-and-after screenshots, no detailed changelog — just a quiet “trust us, it’s better.”
For now, users on iOS 25 or older won’t see any CarPlay changes. But if you’re on the iOS 26 beta (or plan to upgrade this fall), expect a smoother, less cluttered dashboard for controlling your smart home from the driver’s seat.
Three New Features — Two of Them Are “Labs” (But Safe to Use)
Beyond the CarPlay tweak, version 2026.4.0 introduces three entirely new capabilities. Two are labeled as “Labs” features — meaning they’re still in active testing but considered stable enough for daily use without major bugs.
1. Kiosk Mode (Labs)
This one’s clearly aimed at users who run Home Assistant on wall-mounted tablets or dedicated displays. The new Kiosk mode appears to integrate with the popular Fully Kiosk Browser integration, allowing you to lock down the app to a single dashboard, hide status bars, and prevent accidental exits. Perfect for that iPad you stuck on the wall to control your whole house.
2. Mutual Transport Layer Security (mTLS) — Also Labs
Security nerds, rejoice. Home Assistant now supports mutual TLS authentication for the iOS app. Unlike standard TLS (where only the server verifies the client), mTLS requires both sides to present certificates. This adds an extra layer of protection for remote access — especially useful if you’re exposing your Home Assistant instance to the internet without a VPN or Cloudflare tunnel. It’s overkill for most casual users, but for power users and homelabbers, it’s a welcome addition.
3. Folders on Apple Watch (Stable)
Finally, something for the wrist. The Apple Watch app now supports folders, letting you organize your smart home controls just like you do on your iPhone. If you’ve got a Series 11 46mm GPS model (currently going for $359 on Amazon — check the latest price here), you can now group lights, thermostats, sensors, and scenes into custom folders. No more endless scrolling through a flat list of 50+ entities. Just tap a folder, and boom — everything you need is right there.
Note: Folder support works on any Apple Watch running watchOS 10 or later, not just the Series 11. But if you’ve been eyeing an upgrade, that Amazon deal isn’t half bad.
Where to Download and What About Android?
You can grab Home Assistant iOS app version 2026.4.0 right now from the Apple App Store.
👉 Download Home Assistant for iOS on the App Store
Just hit “Update” if you already have the app installed, or download fresh if you’re new to the party. The update size is around 45 MB, and it requires iOS 15 or later (though CarPlay improvements need iOS 26+).
As for Android users? The release notes don’t mention a corresponding 2026.4.0 update for the Home Assistant Android app. Historically, the iOS and Android versions sometimes get out of sync, but given that this release includes iOS-specific features like CarPlay and Apple Watch folders, an Android update might come later — or might skip straight to a future version. No word from the developers yet, so Android fans will need to be patient.
What’s Still Missing? (And What’s Coming Next)
The lack of detailed CarPlay release notes is a little frustrating — but it’s not unusual for Home Assistant’s open-source, volunteer-driven ecosystem. The “Labs” label on mTLS and Kiosk mode also suggests these features could see breaking changes before they’re promoted to stable.
Still, this update feels like a solid quality-of-life release. The previous 2026.2 update focused heavily on the entity picker (that dropdown you use to select devices in automations and scripts). Now, version 2026.4.0 rounds out the experience with better mobile-specific workflows.
Given the version numbering (2026.4.0 in early April), we can probably expect a 2026.5 or 2026.6 release by late spring — possibly with more Android love and full stabilization of the Labs features.
Final Verdict: Should You Update?
Yes. Even if you don’t use CarPlay, Apple Watch, or mTLS, updating is always a good idea for security patches and performance improvements. The new Kiosk mode alone is worth it if you run a wall-mounted dashboard. And if you’re on the iOS 26 beta, the CarPlay improvements will be a nice bonus.
For everyone else — especially Android users — keep an eye on the Home Assistant forums and GitHub. This update is iOS-only for now, but the core team rarely leaves Android behind for long.
Have you installed 2026.4.0 yet? Noticed any hidden changes? Let us know in the comments below — and don’t forget to grab the update from the App Store while you’re at it.
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| The release notes for Home Assistant app version 2026.4.0 for iOS |