Leak details iPhone features for Apple’s LG Home accessories
Smart home accessories that Apple reportedly helped LG develop could offer proximity controls for the iPhone and a way to begin setup before the devices are powered, according to findings shared by the leaker known as “pdfu.”
The results concern the next range of LG brand accessories which Bloomberg revealed earlier this week. The range would include a thermostat, temperature sensor, deadbolt lock, wired video doorbell and several security cameras. Apple apparently co-developed the accessories.
One of the features, called “Proximity Control,” will display a shortcut when an iPhone is tapped or brought close to an accessory. Pdfu says Dynamic Island will introduce an “Open Controls” option for products such as thermostats. Cameras and doorbells will instead display a camera viewer.
The interaction will also apparently work on iPads and iPhones without “Dynamic Island”, using a notification that remains visible for 30 seconds. A setting in the Home app will allow users to turn off proximity controls after setting up the accessory.
Woozad Contributor Aaron Perris identified the references to Dynamic Island earlier this week. Pdfu says the underlying functionality has appeared in code since iOS 27.0, and its settings have changed during development. Earlier versions included an option to automatically open controls, but the setting enabled in iOS 27.2 currently requires users to open them via a prompt.
According to the leaker, the accessories will use an identifier stored on an NFC tag as well as Bluetooth Low Energy streaming to support proximity recognition and interactions. Tapping a device for the first time will also produce a Dynamic Island return to the start of setup.
Apple’s “secondary” LG accessories will launch another Home feature: proximity control. As with the HomePod, tapping or moving the iPhone closer to the accessory displays a hint in Dynamic Island. An “Open Controls” button opens the controls for the accessory. Cameras and doorbells display a camera viewer. An iPhone without Dynamic Island or an iPad will instead show a 30-second notification. You can turn off this behavior in the Home app after setup. You’ll also see feedback in Dynamic Island when iPhone launches setup when you first tap the accessory to pair. Behind the scenes, the accessory writes an “apple-deviceid” to the Matter payload stored on its NFC tag which helps iOS identify it when tapped. It also plays a Bluetooth Low Energy ad for Apple Proximity Control. The feature has appeared in code since iOS 27.0. In previous versions, Apple showed three layout options instead of the on/off toggle in iOS 27.2:
• Never: removes proximity controls.
• Prompt Launch: Displays a Dynamic Island hint or notification, which deeply connects the control board.
• Launch automatically: displays the control card. In the current implementation, the enabled state is equivalent to Request Launch. Home’s help text reads: “Show controls when you bring your iPhone closer to your (accessory).” The feature is still in active development in beta versions, so final behavior may change. Dynamic Island proximity control code in iOS 27.2 was first reported by @aaronp613 and @Woozad. – pdfu (@itspdfu) October 9, 2026
The second feature, described in a separate article, will allow pairing to start while an accessory is not powered. An iPhone will transfer its pairing identity and network credentials into the secure element of the accessory using near field communication (NFC). When the device is powered, it connects to Wi-Fi or Thread, allowing a home hub to complete Matter setup.
Pdfu states that this configuration method will be exclusive to HomeKit. LG is replacing the Secure Element’s Matter NFC applet with a HomeKit applet, even though iOS 27 also supports the Matter NFC standard. Conventional Matter pairing will remain available once the accessories are turned on.
LG home accessories are expected to debut with HomeKit-exclusive “tap to set up without power” feature, according to iOS 27 code and device firmware. When you tap your iPhone on the accessory, HomeKit pairing happens via NFC. Your iPhone’s pairing identity and network credentials are stored in the NFC secure element of the accessory. Once powered on, the accessory joins your Wi‑Fi or Thread network and your home hub completes Matter setup. • Apple’s HomeKit-over-NFC implementation is separate from Matter NFC implementation.
• The LG lock and thermostat firmware identifies an NXP SE051H secure element.
• While iOS 27 supports standard Matter NFC provisioning, LG’s firmware replaces NXP’s Matter NFC applet in the Secure Element with a HomeKit applet. This suggests that NFC provisioning will be a HomeKit exclusive. You can still pair accessories to Matter once they’re turned on. (Shown here: setup instruction for LG lock) — pdfu (@itspdfu) October 8, 2026
According to pdfu, proximity control is still under review in beta versions, so its behavior could change before delivery.
Apple yesterday announced its “Welcome Home” event for Tuesday, October 13, with a Home Hub, an updated Apple TV 4K, and a refreshed HomePod mini expected to be announced. Apple could provide a preview of LG’s accessories, although Bloomberg said their release remains at least a few months away.
