Apple’s HomeView Smart Hub Doesn’t Natively Support Apple TV or Several Other Apple Apps

Apple’s HomeView smart display hub, released in 2026, does not natively support Apple TV, Apple Books audiobooks, Apple Music Classical, or Apple News Plus. Users who want to access those services on the device must AirPlay them from a nearby iPhone, according to the HomeView spec page.

Apple has described HomeView as “the perfect way” to enjoy its audio and video entertainment apps, and Apple TV appears in at least one promotional image for the product. However, the requirement to use a paired iPhone for select apps is disclosed in small print on HomeView’s announcement page: “Select apps require a paired and compatible iPhone nearby.”

The limitation is not tied to the device’s hardware. HomeView runs on Apple’s A18 chip — the same processor found in the iPhone 16. Instead, the constraint appears to be rooted in how HomeView’s software is designed. The platform functions more like CarPlay than iOS, iPadOS, or Apple TV OS, requiring a connected iPhone for many of its features. HomeView also does not include an App Store, which is typical for smart home hubs.

By comparison, competing smart display products handle streaming differently. Amazon’s Echo Show can natively stream Prime Video, and Google’s Nest Hub devices support YouTube natively — neither requires a phone connection for those services.

The absence of native support for Apple’s own entertainment apps could matter for users who purchase HomeView expecting a standalone experience. The CarPlay-like software model does, however, mean that third-party apps supporting video or audio projection through the platform may work from day one without additional development work.

The Verge has contacted Apple to ask why these apps are not natively supported and whether that may change in the future. Apple had not responded at the time of publication.