Apple is collaborating with LG Electronics to develop a range of smart home accessories designed to integrate with its upcoming home hub and other Apple home products, according to Bloomberg, as reported by MacRumors. The lineup includes a wired video doorbell, a thermostat, a smart deadbolt lock, a temperature sensor, an indoor security camera, an outdoor camera, and a camera equipped with a floodlight.
These products appear in documents that LG submitted to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and UL Solutions. The filings do not mention Apple, and LG requested that their details remain confidential. According to the report, LG will manufacture the devices and sell them under its own brand, with Apple contributing to their development.
What changes in practice?
The partnership gives Apple a way to quickly expand its smart home ecosystem without bearing the full costs of designing, manufacturing, and supporting a broad range of accessories. At the same time, Apple can influence the design, features, and engineering while keeping its role out of public disclosure. This arrangement resembles an original design manufacturer model, in which the product remains under the manufacturing partner’s name while being connected to the core platform experience.
Available information indicates that several LG devices will support Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, Thread, and Matter, which are important connectivity and interoperability technologies for linking smart home accessories to multiple platforms. The lock will also support UWB, enabling it to unlock automatically when someone approaches, according to the capabilities mentioned in the report.
Availability date and competitive context
Apple is expected to unveil the home hub, along with a new Apple TV 4K and a new HomePod mini, on October 13, 2026. However, LG’s accessories will not be ready for launch on that date and are expected to be released a few months later.
LG is not traditionally known as a company specializing in smart home accessories, but in 2024 it acquired a majority stake in the Homey smart home platform. Its entry into this category may indicate an effort to compete with the Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Ring, and Google Nest ecosystems, among others.
Why does this matter?
If these products are confirmed, Apple’s expansion into the smart home sector will be based partly on an ecosystem of devices carrying a third-party partner’s brand, rather than solely on Apple devices. This could accelerate the development of an ecosystem covering security, environmental control, and home access, but the current filings do not fully establish the level of integration with Apple, pricing, or the markets where the products will be available. The confidentiality request submitted to the FCC also means that design details and final specifications remain limited, and the source contains no official confirmation from Apple of the partnership.
Apple and LG work together in other areas as well; Apple uses components from LG Display, and the companies previously collaborated on 4K and 5K UltraFine displays designed for Mac devices. The final launch timing and the extent to which the devices will depend on Apple services remain open questions until an official announcement is made.