FabianApple introduced a new HomeKit architecture this year with iOS 16.4. Apart from the fact that the iPad can no longer be used as a home hub, not much has changed in terms of handling the system. However, there is a big change in the interaction with Philips Hue.
Pairing with HomeKit is now only possible if you use a home hub in the same network. In the Apple world, this is either a HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV. Without this, the HomeKit connection can no longer be activated.
HomeKit activation only via the code on the bridge
If you want to activate HomeKit for a Hue Bridge, you can no longer do this via the Smart Home section in the Hue app – only Matter activation is still available there, which then also brings the Hue devices into the Apple Home app.
To use the classic HomeKit connection between Philips Hue and Apple Home, you need to add a new device in the Home app and then scan the HomeKit code from the bottom of the Hue Bridge.
The advantages of Matter can currently be counted on two fingers anyway: Third-party devices show up in the Home app and you can theoretically use more than one Bridge with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. However, Jennifer's experience report on theverge.com shows that switching to Matter could also have a negative effect.
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Unfortunately the Phillips Hue Bridge will no longer connect to the Apple Home app without an Apple Home Hub. They have made it where you have to have a hub from Apple and a hub from Phillips’ to make them sync with Matter now. This is redundant and stupid.