Information extracted from iOS 27 code and software for prototype devices reveals two anticipated features for LG-branded home accessories that operate within the Apple Home ecosystem: controlling the device by bringing an iPhone close to it, and beginning the pairing process before power reaches it.
According to previous reports, the lineup includes a thermostat, a temperature sensor, a smart door lock, a wired video doorbell, and several security cameras. The information indicates that Apple helped LG develop these products, but their release is still expected to be several months away.
Quick Control Without Opening the Home App
The first feature is called Proximity Control. When an iPhone touches or is brought close to the accessory, the Dynamic Island will display a prompt containing an option to “Open Controls” for products such as thermostats. Cameras and doorbells, meanwhile, will reportedly display an image viewer instead of the traditional control card.
On iPhone devices without Dynamic Island and on iPads, the result will appear in a notification that remains visible for 30 seconds. Users will also be able to disable the behavior after completing accessory setup from within the Home app.
Traces of the feature have appeared in iOS code since version 27.0, while the way its settings work has changed during the beta releases. Earlier versions included “Never,” “Ask Before Running,” and “Run Automatically” options, whereas the option currently enabled in iOS 27.2 amounts to requesting that the user open the controls after the prompt appears, rather than opening them automatically.
How Does the iPhone Recognize the Accessory?
According to information attributed to the leaker known as pdfu, recognition will rely on a combination of an identifier stored in an NFC tag and a Bluetooth Low Energy broadcast. The Matter payload stored on the tag includes a value called apple-deviceid, while the accessory announces support for Apple Proximity Control interaction over Bluetooth Low Energy.
A visual interaction is expected to appear in the Dynamic Island when the accessory is touched for the first time and the pairing process begins. However, these details are not final, as the feature is still being modified across the beta releases.
Setting Up the Device Before Powering It On
The second feature allows pairing to begin while the accessory is not connected to power. When an iPhone touches the device, the HomeKit process will transfer the pairing identity and network data over NFC to a secure element inside the accessory. After it is powered on, the device can connect to a Wi-Fi or Thread network, after which the home hub can complete Matter setup.
Software for the lock and thermostat indicates the use of the NXP SE051H secure element. LG also appears to have replaced the Matter NFC applet in this element with a HomeKit applet, making the pre-power-on setup method specific to HomeKit integration, while traditional Matter pairing will continue to be supported after the devices are powered on.
What Changes in Practice?
If these features make it to the final products, they will reduce the number of device setup steps and provide access to their functions without requiring users to search for them inside the Home app. However, the source does not yet confirm the launch date, prices, or final compatibility details, and the behavior of Proximity Control may change before shipping. The effectiveness of pre-setup also remains dependent on the presence of a Home hub capable of completing the network connection and configuring Matter after the accessory is powered on.