Apple HomeView is now available, bringing a dedicated screen for controlling the home, listening to music and keeping in touch with family. But unlike an iPhone or iPad, it doesn’t have a conventional App Store, so which apps can you actually use on it?
The device comes with 15 built-in apps covering communication, entertainment, everyday information and smart-home controls. They appear in HomeView’s app interface and are installed directly on the device.
The selection covers most of the things Apple expects a shared home screen to handle. Home can control compatible lights, cameras and thermostats, while FaceTime and Messages provide ways to stay connected. Find My helps locate devices and shared family members, and Safari can turn online recipes into guided cooking instructions. Music, Podcasts and Intercom round out the more household-focused features.
Four additional Apple apps are supported through a paired iPhone rather than installed natively on HomeView: Audiobooks, Apple Music Classical, Apple News and Apple TV. Their availability depends on compatible software and the connected device, with some services also restricted by country or subscription. That distinction is important, because seeing an app on HomeView doesn’t necessarily mean it runs independently.
HomeView can also display supported third-party audio and video apps from a paired iPhone or iPad, using compatibility with Apple’s CarPlay app framework. Spotify is one example, but it would be misleading to assume every iPhone streaming app, including services such as Netflix or YouTube, will automatically work.
Apple has built HomeView around quick access, Siri AI and a shared household experience rather than a full library of downloadable apps. Personal information in apps such as Calendar and Messages is shown only when HomeView recognizes and authenticates the appropriate user. The Apple Post first covered the absence of an App Store before the device was announced.
For a broader look at the smart display’s features, setup and supported markets, read our complete HomeView guide. We’ve also highlighted 10 lesser-known HomeView features, including its recipe tools and customized display faces.
HomeView launched on November 13, starting at $299 in the United States and £299 in the United Kingdom. For buyers deciding whether it can replace an iPad in the kitchen or living room, the answer comes down to its purpose: HomeView covers common household tasks, but it isn’t designed to run every app on an iPhone or iPad.