Roomba Adds Matter Support for HomeKit Integration
If you’ve been waiting to control your Roomba with Siri or automate cleaning through Apple’s Home app, your wait may be over. iRobot has rolled out Matter support to several additional Roomba models via firmware updates, deepening its integration with Apple’s smart home ecosystem. This move allows users on iOS 18.4 or later to add compatible vacuums directly to the Home app—no third-party hubs required—as long as they have a HomePod or Apple TV acting as a Home hub.
More Roomba Models Now Matter-Compatible
While the Roomba Combo 10 Max has supported Matter since early 2025, iRobot has now extended this capability to three existing models: the Roomba Plus 500 Combo, Roomba Max 700 Vac, and Roomba Max 700 Combo. Owners of these devices will receive a firmware update automatically, unlocking native HomeKit functionality without needing new hardware. Notably absent from the update is the popular Roomba Combo J7 and J9 series—iRobot hasn’t confirmed if or when those will gain Matter support.
How Matter Transforms Your Roomba Experience
With Matter integration, your Roomba becomes a true member of your Apple smart home. Once added to the Home app, you can issue voice commands like “Hey Siri, vacuum the living room” or “Start mopping the kitchen.” Though Apple’s implementation doesn’t expose every advanced feature—like detailed mapping or no-go zones—it covers the essentials: room-specific cleaning, full-home cycles, and status monitoring. For many users, that’s more than enough to streamline daily upkeep.
Automate Cleaning Like Never Before
One of the biggest perks of Matter-enabled Roombas is their ability to participate in HomeKit automations. Imagine your vacuum kicking into gear the moment your iPhone geofence detects you’ve left for work. Or picture it activating at 10 a.m. every Tuesday, just after your cat’s morning zoomies scatter litter everywhere. You can even tie it to other smart devices: dim the lights, and your Roomba starts a quick refresh. The flexibility makes clean floors feel almost effortless.
Why Matter Matters for Apple Users
Apple added Matter support for robot vacuums in iOS 18.4—a significant but understated update that opened the door for seamless cross-brand compatibility. Unlike proprietary integrations that often lag or break after iOS updates, Matter offers a standardized, secure, and future-proof connection. That’s especially reassuring for Apple-centric households that prioritize privacy, reliability, and simplicity over flashy but fragmented smart home apps.
Roomba Joins a Growing Matter Vacuum Ecosystem
iRobot isn’t alone in embracing Matter. Competitors like Roborock, Ecovacs, and SwitchBot have also rolled out Matter-enabled robot vacuums throughout 2025. This industry-wide shift signals growing confidence in Matter as the smart home lingua franca. For consumers, it means more choice without being locked into a single brand’s walled garden—especially valuable as Matter support expands to mopping, self-emptying bins, and even AI obstacle avoidance.
A Surprising Move Amid Financial Turmoil
The timing of this update is noteworthy. Just weeks before the firmware rollout, iRobot filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early December 2025. The company has since been acquired by Picea Robotics, a Chinese manufacturer already involved in Roomba production. Despite the upheaval, iRobot insists that app services, cloud features, and customer support will continue uninterrupted through the transition, which is expected to finalize in February 2026.
What This Means for Current and Future Owners
If you own one of the newly supported models, keep your Roomba app updated—you’ll likely see the Matter option appear within days. New buyers should check packaging or product specs for the “Works with Matter” badge. While older J-series models remain unsupported, iRobot hasn’t ruled out future updates. In the meantime, the company’s commitment to maintaining existing infrastructure—even amid ownership changes—offers much-needed reassurance.
Setting Up Your Matter-Enabled Roomba
Getting started is straightforward. Ensure your iPhone or iPad runs iOS 18.4 or later and that you have a HomePod or Apple TV set up as a hub. Open the Roomba app, install any pending firmware, then follow the in-app prompt to add your device to the Home app. From there, you can rename it, assign it to a room, and begin creating automations. The whole process takes under five minutes—no QR codes or complex pairing required.
Limitations to Keep in Mind
While Matter brings Roomba into Apple’s fold, it doesn’t replicate the full iRobot app experience. Advanced scheduling, cleaning history, maintenance alerts, and custom zone cleaning still require the native Roomba app. Think of HomeKit integration as a convenient supplement—not a replacement—for power users. Still, for everyday tasks and voice control, it’s a major quality-of-life upgrade.
Smart Homes Get Smarter
This rollout reflects a broader trend: smart home devices are finally converging around open standards. Matter’s promise—interoperability without compromise—is becoming reality, one vacuum at a time. As more appliances adopt the protocol, users gain flexibility, security, and simplicity. For Apple loyalists who’ve longed for deeper smart home integration without juggling half a dozen apps, Roomba’s update is a welcome step forward.
What’s Next for Roomba Under New Ownership?
With Picea Robotics at the helm, speculation abounds about Roomba’s future roadmap. Will we see Matter support extended to older models? New hardware designed from the ground up for Apple’s ecosystem? While answers remain unclear, this firmware update suggests that—despite financial distress—iRobot is still invested in delivering value to its existing user base. In an era where smart home trust is fragile, that consistency matters more than ever.
