What is HomeKit Secure Video?

HomeKit Secure Video is a feature introduced with iOS 13.2 that allows compatible third-party security cameras and doorbells to use Apple's iCloud service for secure streaming and storage of recorded video clips. This feature prioritizes privacy by encrypting video footage end-to-end and processing video analysis locally on a designated home hub rather than in the cloud. Users receive activity notifications directly through the Home app, which include thumbnails for a quick preview of detected events.

Requirements for HomeKit Secure Video

For HomeKit Secure Video to function, a user must have an iPad, HomePod, or Apple TV set up as a home hub within the home. This hub connects the cameras to the internet and performs local analysis to determine if a camera has detected a person, animal, vehicle, or other object. This local processing is key to maintaining end-to-end encryption and reducing bandwidth usage.

The feature is tied to an iCloud storage subscription. To record and store video clips, users need a paid 200GB iCloud plan, which supports one camera, or a 2TB plan, which supports up to five cameras. Importantly, recorded video footage does not count against the user's iCloud data limits, and up to ten days of clips are saved. Live video streaming does not require any iCloud plan.

How HomeKit Secure Video Works

When a camera detects motion, it sends a signal to the home hub. The hub then analyzes the footage locally—using machine learning models provided by Apple—to identify what triggered the event. The encrypted video is then securely uploaded to iCloud for storage. Users can view live feeds and recorded clips through the Home app on iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch. Notifications can be customized to show thumbnails and specify which types of objects (people, pets, vehicles, or packages) trigger alerts.

Compatible Cameras and Doorbells

Several third-party manufacturers have adopted HomeKit Secure Video, including Netatmo, Logitech, Anker's eufy brand, Eve, and Aqara. These companies offer a range of indoor, outdoor, and doorbell cameras with varying resolutions and features.

Eve Cam

Eve Systems released the Eve Cam, an indoor camera with a 1080p resolution, 150-degree field of view, infrared motion sensor, and night vision up to five meters. It underwent a 2025 update that added USB-C connectivity and improved night vision, though resolution remained at 1080p. Priced at $150, it integrates seamlessly with HomeKit Secure Video and offers a solid balance of privacy and performance.

Logitech Circle View

Logitech offers the Circle View Camera, a wired indoor/outdoor camera with 1080p HD video, a 180-degree diagonal field of view, and HDR. The Circle View Wired Doorbell is also available, featuring head-to-toe HD video, color night vision, and a 160-degree field. Both devices support HomeKit Secure Video and are sold through Apple and other retailers.

Anker eufyCam 2 Pro

Anker's eufy brand introduced the eufyCam 2 Pro, a wireless outdoor camera with 2K resolution and a 140-degree field of view. It includes a home base station for local storage and processing, and received firmware updates to add HomeKit Secure Video support. The two-camera kit is priced at $349.95 and offers battery-powered operation.

Aqara Family

Aqara has become a major player in the HomeKit Secure Video ecosystem with several products. The G2H Camera Hub (2020) is an indoor camera that also serves as a Zigbee hub. The Video Doorbell G4 (2023) is the first battery-powered HomeKit Secure Video doorbell, featuring 1080p video, facial recognition, and a 162-degree lens. In 2025, Aqara launched the G410 doorbell with 2K resolution, mmWave presence detection, and Matter compatibility. The Camera E1 offers 2K pan-and-tilt functionality for just $60, making it an affordable option. Aqara also showcased the Panel Hub S1 Plus at CES 2025, a touchscreen hub that integrates various smart home sensors.

Netatmo Smart Indoor Camera

Netatmo released a firmware update for its Smart Indoor Camera in February 2020 to enable HomeKit Secure Video. This camera offers 1080p recording and integrates with Netatmo's weather and security ecosystem. It was one of the earliest devices to support the feature.

Belkin Wemo Smart Video Doorbell

Belkin's Wemo brand debuted a $250 wired video doorbell in January 2022 with HomeKit Secure Video support. It features a 120-degree field of view and works with existing doorbell wiring. The doorbell became available through Apple's stores later that year.

Notable Updates and Events

In iOS 15, Apple expanded HomeKit Secure Video by adding package detection, allowing cameras to notify users when a delivery arrives. This was part of the broader iCloud+ service that also included privacy-focused features like Private Relay. Later software updates resolved glitches such as thumbnail refresh failures in the Home app, which affected some users in early 2022.

At CES 2023, Aqara announced the G4 doorbell and the U100 smart lock with Apple Home Key support. Eve introduced the Outdoor Cam, a floodlight camera with HomeKit Secure Video, in 2022. Other brands like Ecobee added support through firmware updates for their SmartCamera. By mid-2026, Aqara continued to expand its lineup with the G410 doorbell and G100 camera, both supporting Matter and 2K resolution.

Privacy and Security Considerations

HomeKit Secure Video is designed with privacy as a core principle. Video footage is encrypted on the camera and transmitted only through the home hub, which processes analysis locally. Apple states that it does not have access to the video content. The encrypted clips are stored in iCloud, where they are protected by the user's Apple ID credentials. This architecture contrasts with many cloud-based security cameras that send raw video to remote servers for analysis.

Popular Models Overview

For users seeking a balance between features and cost, the Aqara Camera E1 offers 2K resolution and pan/tilt capabilities at a low price point. The Eve Cam remains a strong choice for indoor privacy-conscious users. For outdoor and doorbell needs, the Logitech Circle View and Belkin Wemo provide reliable wired options. Wireless users can consider the eufyCam 2 Pro or Aqara G4 doorbell. High-end options like the Aqara G410 bring advanced detection and Matter compatibility.

Apple's ecosystem ensures that all these devices offer consistent setup, notification handling, and integration with scenes and automations in the Home app. As more manufacturers adopt Matter, interoperability with other smart home platforms will improve, although HomeKit Secure Video remains exclusive to Apple devices.

The growing selection of cameras and doorbells supporting HomeKit Secure Video provides users with a secure, privacy-focused way to monitor their homes. With ongoing updates and new product releases, the feature continues to evolve, offering greater resolution, intelligent alerts, and deeper integration with Apple's smart home infrastructure.

Source: Macrumors News