Apple may announce a partnership with home security company ADT alongside its rumored smart home hub, based on several clues surrounding new ADT technician roles. The companies could reveal the arrangement during Apple’s “Welcome home” media experience in New York on Tuesday, October 13.

Neither Apple nor ADT has confirmed a partnership. The available evidence could ultimately reflect unrelated hiring and planning activity, so the arrangement remains speculation.

Why ADT’s new technician roles are drawing attention

Since around July, ADT has advertised “Low Voltage Technician” positions in multiple U.S. cities. Some people hired for the jobs have reportedly spent much of their time shadowing existing technicians while waiting for more information about their duties.

Several of the new employees and their managers have also signed nondisclosure agreements connected to the roles. That level of secrecy is unusual for ordinary technician work and has led to speculation that the positions involve a confidential product or service.

ADT has supplied the new hires with iPhones for work, while the company’s other technicians generally use Android phones. The difference could indicate that the employees will work with Apple-related equipment or software, although it does not establish a partnership by itself.

Possible connection to Apple’s smart home hub

Some of the technicians reportedly told managers they were waiting for details about work involving home automation and in-home installation services. ADT is expected to provide more information about the roles later this month, after an earlier plan to explain them in September was delayed.

That timing has fueled speculation that ADT could help customers install Apple’s rumored wall-mounted smart home hub or related accessories. Apple is also expected to introduce a group of third-party smart home products developed with partners including LG.

The rumored hub could combine smart home accessory controls with home security features, photo galleries, calendar information, music playback and FaceTime video calling. Reports have described two possible designs: a tabletop model with a speaker base and a wall-mounted version.

Could ADT provide security monitoring?

It is not clear whether any Apple-ADT relationship would include professional home security monitoring or focus only on installation and smart home services.

ADT announced an integrated smart home security system with Google in 2023. However, the company later dropped support for some interactions with Google Nest devices. People familiar with the arrangement have reportedly said the Google agreement either expired during this year or is due to expire next year, and will not be renewed.

If that information is accurate, ADT could have an opportunity to form a new relationship with another major technology company. Apple’s upcoming event may clarify whether the technician hiring activity is connected to its smart home plans or simply a coincidence.