Thread Radios in iPhones: What They Really Do for Your Smart Home

In a recent interview, Vividh Siddha, Director at Apple and President of the Thread Group, revealed the two primary benefits of the Thread radios now featured in iPhones.

Thread radios, which Apple started incorporating into its devices in late 2023, are designed to enhance smart home capabilities, especially for early adopters and users of Matter, the smart home standard.

While the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max were the first to debut the new Thread radio, other Apple devices, including iPads and Macs, are following suit.

Two Key Benefits of the iPhone’s Thread Radio:

Enabling Smart Home Automations Without Extra Hardware
Thread radios on mobile devices like the iPhone allow users to set up smart home automations without needing additional hardware.

This is particularly beneficial for users who start with basic smart home devices, such as bulbs and switches, and want to expand their setup without purchasing extra equipment.

The Thread radio enables these devices to communicate seamlessly, allowing for more sophisticated automation.

Ensuring Smart Devices Function During Power Outages
Another critical advantage of the Thread radio is its ability to keep smart devices functioning even during power outages. In the event that your Wi-Fi router or Thread border router goes down, the Thread radio allows essential smart devices, such as door locks, to continue operating. This ensures that users can still access their homes or use other important smart features when the infrastructure fails.

While these benefits may not be immediately noticeable, they lay the groundwork for Apple’s broader smart home strategy, which is expected to expand with new products in the coming years.

The introduction of Thread radios in iPhones signals Apple’s commitment to improving the smart home experience, especially as new products like the HomePad and updated Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini 2 are expected in 2025.

As Apple continues to integrate Thread radios into its ecosystem, these features will likely become more prominent, further enhancing the smart home experience for iPhone users.