Leak: Apple-LG HomeKit Accessories to Add 'Proximity Control'

Apple's second-party smart home accessories co-developed with LG will support a new "Proximity Control" feature, according to a leak from @itspdfu. The feature surfaces controls in the Dynamic Island when an iPhone is tapped or brought near an accessory.

For accessories such as thermostats, tapping or bringing an iPhone close pops a notification out of the Dynamic Island with an "Open Controls" button. For cameras and doorbells, the Dynamic Island notification shows a "camera viewer" instead, according to the leak. The Dynamic Island also displays feedback when the iPhone launches setup after the accessory is first tapped to pair.

On the technical side, the accessory writes an "apple-deviceid" in the Matter payload stored on its NFC tag, which helps iOS identify it when tapped. It also broadcasts a Bluetooth Low Energy advert for Apple Proximity Control. The feature can seemingly be turned off in the Home app, according to the leak.

Earlier reporting on the LG collaboration

Bloomberg reported earlier this week that Apple is working with LG on smart home products including a thermostat, deadbolt lock, indoor security camera, outdoor security camera, and flood light camera. According to Bloomberg, Apple likely won't release these accessories for at least a few more months, and they could still be shown off at next week's "Welcome home" Apple event.