A near-future feature could let iPhones show quick controls for LG-made HomeKit accessories right from Dynamic Island.
Apple may bring a new Proximity Control feature to its second-party HomeKit accessories made with LG. When you bring your iPhone near such devices, a Dynamic Island notification could offer quick controls or a camera viewer. The setup relies on an NFC tag with an apple-deviceid and Bluetooth LE signals. You could turn this off in the Home app. If launched, expect a slow rollout over several months rather than an immediate, wide release.
For everyday users, this could mean faster interactions with smart home gear and a smoother setup flow, especially if you use multiple LG-made HomeKit devices. Watch for official word from Apple about availability and supported models.
A tech rumor wades closer to reality today: Apple is reportedly readying a feature for its new line of second-party HomeKit accessories co-developed with LG. The feature, called Proximity Control, would let nearby accessories pop up quick controls in the iPhone’s Dynamic Island when you bring your device close to them. That means a thermostat could offer a simple Open Controls button, while cameras and doorbells could show a live viewer.
What makes this noteworthy is that it would be a first for Apple’s approach to third-party devices built in collaboration with another giant in the smart home world. The code references and posts circulating suggest the feature relies on a specific workflow: an “apple-deviceid” is stored in the Matter payload on the accessory’s NFC tag to help iOS recognize it when tapped. In practice, you’d see a notification pop out from the Dynamic Island as you approach the accessory and start pairing or setup. It also broadcasts a Bluetooth Low Energy advertisement that signals Apple Proximity Control to your iPhone.
Apple could show off these second-party accessories at its upcoming “Welcome home” event, though Bloomberg has previously reported that these devices may not ship for at least a few months. The LG lineup referenced includes a thermostat, a deadbolt, indoor and outdoor cameras, and a flood light camera. Whether all of these will support Proximity Control at launch remains unclear, and Apple has not confirmed the feature yet.
iOS 27.2 beta 3 includes new HomeKit code suggesting nearby smart-home accessories could show controls in the Dynamic Island.
A new method explicitly references showing Dynamic Island controls through HomeKit’s proximity manager.
This is an AI mockup of what it may look like: pic.twitter.com/szddeb2nCg
— Aaron (@aaronp613) October 6, 2026
If this feature ships, it would streamline how you interact with smart home gear. Instead of opening an app to adjust a thermostat or check a doorbell’s live feed, you could get quick controls directly from Dynamic Island when you’re nearby. It would also reinforce the idea that these second-party accessories work tightly with Apple’s home system, potentially reducing the friction of setup and daily use.
At least some LG-made HomeKit devices are expected to participate, including a thermostat, a deadbolt, and several cameras. However, it isn’t clear which models will ship with the feature first or whether the capability will extend to other manufacturers that join Apple’s second-party program.
There’s reportedly an option in the Home app to turn Proximity Control off if you’d rather not have these pop-up controls. That gives users a straightforward way to customize how much of a hands-off experience they want with their HomeKit ecosystem.
For non-technical readers, the takeaway is simple: if you use HomeKit with LG-made devices, you could soon get faster, glance-friendly ways to interact with those devices without hunting through apps. It could save a few seconds here and there when you’re adjusting a thermostat, checking a camera’s view, or unlocking a door. But it also adds another feature that could complicate setup if you’re juggling multiple ecosystems or privacy preferences.
Apple’s official details aren’t public yet. The company could reveal more at its next event or in official documentation, and initial devices may still be several months out. If you’re curious, keep an eye on Home app updates or the company’s announcements about LG partnerships and the “second-party” accessory program.
A potential feature that shows quick controls for LG-made HomeKit devices in Dynamic Island when your iPhone is near the accessory.
LG-made HomeKit devices like a thermostat, a deadbolt, and several cameras are most likely to support it first, with broader availability unclear.
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