We released the original Home Routines app in early 2010 as a “one time purchase” paid app, and have kept it online with updates ever since. We have been delighted over the years to hear from folks who bought the app over a decade ago and are still using it to manage their households!
Most of the updates in the past decade have been to stay in line with the changing requirements of iOS and the app store, though, and it was definitely due for a refresh. Our “refresh” turned into a massive project. Tim rewrote the whole app from scratch with the updated development tools, and we kept adding new ideas.
Nevertheless we decided to offer this new version as a free app, to make it as accessible as possible. It does everything the old, paid app does, for free!
We did add a subscription for some cool new features, in the hope of funding ongoing income so we can release regular updates and improvements and continue with a new phase of the app.
On this page:
Some Questions:
Will the new app overwrite and replace my previously purchased app?
No, this one is totally separate. The update will not affect your old app.
Can I keep using the old one?
Yes, you can keep using the old one, though we encourage you to try out the new version!
Can I import the data from the old one?
Yes – when you install the new app, it will detect that you have existing Home Routines data, and offer to copy it across to get you started in the new app. You will be able to choose which lists to copy across, and if you want to also copy across your zones.
If you skip past this when you first install, you will be able to find it again on the Settings page of the new app.
The data will move only one way (from the old to the new app) and doesn’t copy back again.
Will the Classic app keep working?
The app on your device will keep working as long as it still meets the App Store’s requirements. We won’t be adding any major updates or new features to it, though.
Will the My.HomeRoutines sync keep working?
We will also keep this working as long as we can with the current server.
The new app stores all data in your iCloud account instead.
Where is Home Routines Classic in the App Store?
We have deleted the app from the App store in order to avoid confusion, but you will be able to get it from the Purchase History area of the app store.
More help: