Since iOS 26, you can use adaptive temperature for thermostats in the Home app. This feature automatically adjusts the set temperature of a supported thermostat when at least one person is home or when the last person leaves.
Thanks to this function, the temperature is automatically changed when no one is at home to save energy. On the other hand, the thermostat is switched on as soon as someone in the family is (almost) home.
Adaptive temperature for thermostats
Adaptive Temperature in iOS 26 is a feature in the Home app that automatically adjusts your thermostat based on your presence. For example, the thermostat switches between heating and cooling modes, adjusts when you’re away or back, and uses smart arrival time predictions via iPhone data. All this helps save energy and optimize comfort.
Available thermostats and supplies
Thermostats that support Adaptive Temperature in iOS 26 must be compatible with and fully support Matter. Have you connected a thermostat to your smart home using Matter? Then this function will most likely work, ask the manufacturer of your thermostat for further explanation.
In addition, using Adaptive Temperature requires a home hub, such as an Apple TV or HomePod, which enables automation via the Home app.
Set adaptive temperature
- Open the Home app and go to the ‘Home’ tab
- Place your finger on the tile of your thermostat
- Choose ‘Accessory settings’
- Tap ‘Adaptive temperature’
- Enable the option of the same name
Of course you can also set this up on a Mac. Secondary click (right mouse button) on the tile of your thermostat and open the settings.
You can then manage a function and set the temperature range for the ‘Home’, ‘Sleeping’, ‘Away’ and ‘Extended Away’ statuses. Then enable one or more of the following options:
- Switch between thermostat modes: When this option is enabled, your thermostat will switch between ‘Heating’, ‘Cooling’, ‘Auto’ and ‘Off’ based on your temperature preferences. If the option is disabled, your thermostat will remain in its current mode.
- Presence detection: Compatible occupancy sensors and ‘Adaptive Temperature’ allow the temperature to be adjusted according to the use of the room.
- Predict arrival: Use Daily Routines, Apple Maps, Calendar, etc. to predict arrival times and automatically set the thermostat based on the temperature range you’ve chosen for when you’re home.
Activity status of the property
To use adaptive temperature, the thermostat in the Home app is instructed to adjust the temperature based on the activity status of the home: “Home” status (when at least one person is home), “Away” status (when no one is home), or “Extended Away” status (when the “Away” status lasts longer than 24 hours or if every member of the home is a certain distance away). Your location is not shared with the thermostat or with Apple. However, the activity history is recorded in the Home app. Click here for more information about your privacy.