Apple is expanding its smart home strategy by collaborating with multiple partners on second-party accessories. Code researcher pdfu discovered references to Schneider Electric products within the iOS 27.2 system files, indicating a broader ecosystem beyond the previously reported LG partnership.
The HomeKit code in iOS 27.2 contains a specific list labeled _secondPartyProducts, which includes 10 accessory identifiers. Of these, 6 are attributed to LG and 4 to Schneider Electric. While some Schneider smart thermostat settings are already present in the system, they currently contain placeholder data.
These second-party products are not manufactured by Apple but are developed through deep collaboration between Apple and the respective vendors. This partnership model aims to provide these devices with system-level support that goes beyond the capabilities of standard Matter-certified accessories.
Previous reports from Bloomberg highlighted that Apple and LG are working on a range of devices, including smart door locks, thermostats, doorbells, and various indoor and outdoor cameras. These products are designed to integrate directly with Apple's smart home hubs.
