Apple HomeView supports a growing selection of third-party apps, including Spotify, Audible and other services that work with CarPlay, despite launching without a dedicated App Store. However, not every iPhone app can run on Apple’s new smart home display, and some services are available only through widgets.
Rather than allowing apps to be installed directly, HomeView displays compatible audio and video apps from a nearby, paired iPhone. Apple confirms in its developer documentation that existing CarPlay audio and video apps can also work on HomeView without requiring developers to modify them.
The approach means familiar services can appear on the 7-inch display without a separate HomeView app, although support varies by app and some features require an iPhone. Here’s what is known about third-party app compatibility following HomeView’s November 13 launch.
Which third-party apps work on Apple HomeView?
Spotify is among the clearest examples of a third-party app available on HomeView. It offers access to music and podcasts through its CarPlay-compatible interface, while Audible and Overcast are other audio services with CarPlay support that can be used through the same system.
Early real-world testing also provides a wider picture. In an AppleInsider review, Andrew O’Hara reported seeing Spotify, Sofa, MLB, NYTimes and CarTV on his HomeView. This is a snapshot of one reviewer’s setup rather than a complete official compatibility list, and app availability may differ depending on the paired iPhone and installed software.
Apple also provides a selection of its own apps directly on HomeView, including Music, Podcasts, FaceTime, Calendar, Messages, Safari and Home. Other Apple experiences, such as Apple TV, Apple News, Audiobooks and Apple Music Classical, are available from an iPhone. These are distinct from third-party apps and do not require users to search for an App Store on the display.
Do Netflix, YouTube and other video apps work on HomeView?
Apple’s system supports eligible video apps, but that does not mean every video-streaming service has a working HomeView interface. Netflix, YouTube and Disney+ should not be treated as confirmed HomeView apps simply because their iPhone versions play video. They need compatible support through Apple’s CarPlay-based system, and availability may change as developers update their apps.
The limitation is worth considering for anyone hoping to use HomeView as a small television. It is primarily a shared home display rather than an iPad replacement, a distinction explored in our HomeView review.
Third-party widgets bring more apps to HomeView
Widgets offer another way to access information from apps that do not have a full HomeView experience. Small iPhone widgets can appear on the device’s customizable faces, allowing users to check useful details without opening a separate app.
During testing, AppleInsider reported displaying widgets from Oura, Awair, CARROT Weather, X and Dexcom. These provided information such as sleep data, air quality, weather, trending stories and glucose readings. That makes HomeView useful for more than just music and video, even when an app itself is unavailable.
There are limitations. Some widgets may display information but not respond when tapped, while others can have layout issues or hide information. AppleInsider encountered problems with widgets from Ring, SwitchBot, FedEx and Kia, illustrating why the presence of a widget does not guarantee that all of its controls will work on HomeView.
How to get third-party apps on HomeView
There is no separate HomeView App Store to browse or install software from. Instead, users need a compatible iPhone with the relevant app installed and set up, and certain experiences require the phone to remain nearby. The HomeView interface then makes supported experiences available through its connection to the iPhone.
For step-by-step advice, see how to use iPhone streaming apps on Apple HomeView. You can also read our HomeView setup guide if you are configuring the device for the first time.
HomeView’s app selection is therefore more restricted than an iPhone or iPad, but support for existing CarPlay apps and small widgets gives it access to a broader range of services than its built-in app collection alone suggests. As developers improve compatibility, the list of working third-party experiences could expand without Apple adding a traditional App Store.
