Apple and LG Reportedly Team Up on Smart Lock, Doorbell and Cameras for Major Smart Home Push

Apple appears ready to make a much bigger move into the smart home, and it may be relying on LG to help build the hardware needed to do it.

Apple and LG Electronics are reportedly working together on a collection of connected-home products including a video doorbell, smart deadbolt lock, thermostat, temperature sensor and three security cameras. The devices are being developed to work with Apple's upcoming smart home ecosystem and its long-rumoured home hub, according to reports citing Bloomberg.

The partnership could significantly expand Apple's presence in a market where Amazon's Ring and Google's Nest already offer broad families of connected devices.

But don't expect Apple logos across the new hardware. The products will reportedly be sold under the LG brand, despite Apple helping with their development.

Apple and LG are reportedly developing seven smart home products

The reported lineup is much broader than just a doorbell and lock. Products identified through recent regulatory filings include an LG Video Doorbell Wired, Smart Deadbolt Lock, Smart Thermostat, Temperature Sensor, Indoor Cam Plug-In, Outdoor Cam Plug-In and Floodlight Cam.

LG has already sought regulatory approval for several of the devices through organisations including the U.S. Federal Communications Commission and UL Solutions.

Apple's involvement isn't mentioned in those filings, but the two companies reportedly collaborated on design, features and engineering. LG is expected to take responsibility for manufacturing, sales and product support. That arrangement would allow Apple to rapidly build out its home ecosystem without having to manufacture and support every accessory itself.

It's also not entirely unfamiliar territory for the companies. Apple and LG have worked closely on hardware before, including LG's UltraFine displays designed for use with Macs.

Matter and Thread could be important

The ecosystem may not be entirely locked behind Apple devices. Several of the upcoming LG products reportedly support technologies including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread and Matter.

Matter is particularly important because it was developed to reduce compatibility problems between competing smart-home ecosystems. A compatible accessory can potentially work across platforms rather than requiring consumers to rebuild their homes around one manufacturer.

The reported smart deadbolt goes further with Ultra Wideband (UWB) support. That technology could allow the lock to recognize when an authorized user approaches and automatically unlock the door. It's easy to imagine an iPhone or Apple Watch becoming part of that experience, although Apple and LG have yet to officially explain how the feature will operate.

Apple's smart home hub could arrive first

At the centre of Apple's renewed home strategy is a new smart-home hub reportedly scheduled to be introduced on October 13. The device is expected to use a roughly 6-inch square display and offer both countertop and wall-mounted configurations. Reports indicate that it will serve as a central interface for controlling connected devices while incorporating Apple's newer Siri and AI capabilities.

An updated HomePod mini and Apple TV are also reportedly planned as part of the broader smart-home push. That could finally give Apple a dedicated screen-based command centre comparable in purpose to products such as Amazon's Echo Show and Google's Nest Hub.

The LG accessories, however, shouldn't be expected on store shelves immediately after October 13. Development of those products is reportedly behind Apple's own hardware, and current information suggests consumers may have to wait several more months before they become available. Some regulatory information has also been requested to remain confidential until early 2027.

Apple could finally have a complete smart home ecosystem

Apple already has the foundations of a smart-home platform through the Home app, HomeKit, Apple TV and HomePod.

What it hasn't had is the breadth of dedicated hardware available from competitors. Amazon can combine Alexa devices with Ring doorbells, security cameras and alarms. Google has Nest cameras, thermostats, doorbells and displays. Apple users have largely depended on third-party manufacturers for comparable accessories.

The LG partnership could change that without requiring Apple to manufacture every product itself. A home hub surrounded by tightly integrated locks, cameras, thermostats and doorbells would make Apple's smart-home offering look much more like a complete ecosystem rather than a software platform connecting unrelated accessories.

And LG could benefit just as much. The company has been expanding its connected-home ambitions and acquired a majority stake in smart-home platform Homey in 2024.

For now, however, this remains a reported partnership rather than an officially announced Apple product lineup. Apple and LG have not publicly confirmed the collaboration, pricing or release dates for the accessories.

October 13 could provide the first clearer picture. If Apple does introduce its long-awaited home hub as reported, the more important story may not be the screen itself. It could be the ecosystem of locks, cameras, thermostats and other hardware being assembled around it and LG may be the company helping Apple put those pieces together.

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