HomeKit Finally Embraces Robot Vacuums: Which Models Actually Work?

While it might not be as exciting as finally teaching your dog to fetch, the latest upgrade in robot vacuums is kind of a big deal—especially if you’re into a smart home that actually listens. Apple’s HomeKit integration now extends to robot vacuums through Matter, and suddenly your dusty living room can play nice with Siri, your Apple Watch, or even your front door lock. It’s not sci-fi anymore—you can whisper “Hey Siri, clean the kitchen” and actually hear the hum of obedience. For real.

Hey Siri, clean the kitchen—and actually hear the hum of obedience. Robot vacuums now play nice with your Apple ecosystem, no sci-fi required.

Robot vacuum compatibility used to feel like a wishlist dream, but now select Roombas—like the Plus 500 Combo, Max 700 series, and the Combo 10 Max—are jumping on board thanks to a quiet firmware drop discovered by eagle-eyed Reddit users.

Even cooler? You don’t need magic, just iOS 18.4 and a Home hub (Apple TV or HomePod). Once set up, automations work like charm: trigger cleaning when you leave the house, or pair it with lights dimming at bedtime for full “I’ve got my life together” vibes. The combo models even mop, so yeah, your floors might end up cleaner than your coffee table.

It’s worth noting iRobot’s been sold to Picea Robotics—with a February 2026 close—but fans aren’t panicking. Updates keep coming, and “zombie Roombas” still get love. You can even integrate these devices into your existing smart home setup, where multi-user access allows everyone in your household to command the vacuum.

But Apple’s push via Matter 1.2 means power control, cleaning modes, and charge alerts are now universal across brands. Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, QV 35S, ECOVACS, Switchbot—all are joining the party. Over 50 brands now support HomeKit, making robot vacuum compatibility way broader than before.

Still, Apple’s push via Matter 1.2 means power control, cleaning modes, and charge alerts are now universal across brands. Roborock S8 MaxV Ultra, QV 35S, ECOVACS, Switchbot—all are joining the party. Over 50 brands now support HomeKit, making robot vacuum compatibility way broader than before. This expansion follows iRobot’s bankruptcy filing, allowing more brands to adopt Matter standards without ecosystem roadblocks.

But let’s be real: the Home app won’t replace the original apps. Want room mapping or no-go zones? Go back to iRobot’s app.

But for basic commands—start, stop, schedule, mop—it’s surprisingly solid. And hey, if your vacuum runs when you say “I give up, just do it,” then that’s a win. Especially on taco night.