LG Builds Doorbells, Locks and Cameras for Apple's Home Hub

MacRumors reports, citing Bloomberg, that Apple is working with LG Electronics on smart home accessories designed for the upcoming home hub and other Apple home products.

Documents LG submitted to the Federal Communications Commission and UL Solutions list seven devices:

• a wired video doorbell
• a thermostat
• a smart deadbolt lock
• a temperature sensor
• an indoor security camera
• an outdoor security camera
• a floodlight camera

Apple is not named in the filings, according to MacRumors, and LG asked the FCC to keep the details confidential. LG will build and brand the products, but Bloomberg says Apple helped develop them. MacRumors describes this as a "second-party supplier" arrangement, a way for Apple to expand its smart home lineup without taking on the full cost of making and supporting a wide range of accessories. Apple can still shape the design, tailor features and oversee engineering, largely out of public view.

When to expect them

Apple is expected to introduce the rumored home hub, a new Apple TV 4K and a new HomePod mini on Oct. 13. The LG accessories are a few months away, MacRumors says.

Several of the LG devices support Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Thread and Matter. The deadbolt also adds UWB support for close-proximity auto-unlocking.

LG is not a familiar name in smart home gear, but it bought a majority stake in the smart home platform Homey in 2024. MacRumors notes LG may be aiming at Samsung SmartThings, Amazon Ring, Google Nest and similar brands.

The take

None of this is a reason to wait on a doorbell, a lock or a camera you need today. The filing says what the devices are and which radios they use, not whether LG's floodlight camera sees better in the dark than the one on your porch. What does it do that yours doesn't? The documents don't say. Buy what works now. If the home hub and these accessories are good, they will still be on sale later.

• Apple
• Bloomberg
• Home Hub
• LG
• Matter
• smart home