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Apple may allow third-party AI chatbots on its upcoming HomeView smart home hub. The clue comes from the iOS 27.3 beta, which carries a new category named Conversational Apps. The code hints at support for services such as ChatGPT and Claude. The Verge shared the report on November 8, 2026, citing a software code investigator.
Such a move would give HomeView users access to third-party AI chatbots alongside Siri. A single smart display could work with several conversational apps. Apple has not confirmed chatbot support, and it has named no compatible services. The findings point to early development work rather than a finished feature.
The beta also shows changes in how audio is handled for these apps. It lists two-way audio routing, session management, and support for interruptions during a chat. These tools could help voice conversations feel more natural. The system could manage incoming and outgoing sound without breaking an ongoing conversation.
The investigator, known as pdfu, said the feature is "still not fully wired up." This suggests Apple is still building the technology and is not close to a launch. The beta does not list which apps will qualify for the new category. ChatGPT and Claude remain possible candidates and not confirmed partners.
The addition could give Apple's smart home plans a new direction. Siri could still manage Apple services, device controls, and daily household commands. Third-party chatbots could add other styles of conversation and wider access to information. Households that prefer different AI platforms may find HomeView more flexible.
Apple has also added anti-spoofing security to the latest beta. The feature reportedly asks for iPhone authentication after three failed verification attempts. Later lockouts bring longer waiting periods, reaching eight hours at the fourth lockout.
Apple has not confirmed chatbot support or the new security measures. The company has also shared no timeline for either one. For now, iOS 27.3 offers an early look at Apple's wider smart home plans.
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