On Monday, Arlo released updated 2.7.13 to add HomeKit support to its security cameras. Needless to say, this is a highly anticipated feature that Arlo users in the iOS ecosystem have been waiting for for some time. Is it worth the wait? Follow our hands-on video step for details.
Update 2/19: Arlo has added HomeKit support for the newest member of the Arlo Pro 3 family of outdoor cameras, according to Apple Insider. The other two cameras that received HomeKit support, the Arlo Pro 2 and the Arlo Ultra 4K, were updated last year. Although the Arlo Pro 3 does not have 4K video support, such as the Ultra version, it is less expensive and still comes with built-in spotlight, which is probably the most useful feature.
To update the Arlo Pro 3, you can follow the same steps as described in the post below. Make sure you run the latest version of the Arlo app and you will be able to add the Arlo Pro 3 to HomeKit to view the camera in the Home app.
Update 2.7.13 includes full support for HomeKit, including the ability to add your Arlo cameras directly to the Home app, view the cameras in the Home app, configure motion detection triggers with other HomeKit-compatible devices, quickly view scenes through interactive notifications and ask Siri to broadcast a certain room live.
Unfortunately, the upgrade only applies to users with base model numbers starting with VMB4000 and VMB4500. In other words, Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 users will gain the new functionality, but Arlo Ultra users will have to be patient while waiting for HomeKit support.
Arlo Pro 2 HomeKit advanced video support
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HomeKit is only for Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 (for now)
Since I have an Arlo Ultra (full review) camera in my network, I disconnected the old VMB4000 base station, because it became redundant once I connected the new VMB5000 base station needed for the new 4K-capable security camera. The VMB5000 includes backwards compatibility with older Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 hardware, so we felt it was pointless to keep the old hub connected.
Arlo VMB4000 Base Station
Obviously, my song changed quickly once I realized that HomeKit support was here, but I was relegated to older base station hardware. As such, I decided to reconnect the VMB4000 and simply connect all the Arlo Pro 2 cameras I had in my network, leaving the new VMB5000 with its only Arlo Ultra connected.
VMB5000 Base Station (Arlo Ultra) is not yet compatible with HomeKit
Apart from the disadvantage of having an additional hub connected to my network, such a configuration did not make a difference in use. After Arlo will add HomeKit support to the newest base station, I'll probably go back to my unique configuration and put the older VMB4000 in stock.
Activating HomeKit
Configuring HomeKit support for Arlo cameras is done in the Arlo app, so you don't have to visit the Home app to add the hub, enter access codes, etc. I found that adding HomeKit support was a little thin, but once I left, it was smooth sailing.
After installing the update, you will see a pop-up in the Arlo app that states that the Arlo cameras now work with HomeKit. You can also venture into the hub settings to access a new HomeKit panel, specifically focused on creating a HomeKit connection.
Prior to the HomeKit setup process, you will be required to grant access to your home data, which is required to run the ball. The application will go through the entire process of adding rooms to HomeKit.
Offering Arlo access to HomeKit data
After you hit the Add Rooms button on HomeKit, the app will search the network for a compatible base station. After you tap the base station, the app will choose you to select a home, followed by the room you want to add your rooms to. These rooms are imported from pre-existing HomeKit settings, so they are very simple, even if the configuration is done "outside" Home application.
Once a room is selected, you will see a pop-up asking to allow the Arlo app to add Bridge (Arlo base station) to your home. Once you tap Continue, the base station will be added to your home as a HomeKit hub.
The next step is to configure any rooms connected to the base station. The Arlo Pro 2 cameras come with two main functions - they can act as a standard camera for viewing at any time and they can also act as a motion sensor to trigger automation.
The Home app allows you to rename the view and move functions independently of each other. Users also have the opportunity to reassign rooms for certain rooms and to include preferred rooms for display in the Home tab of the Home application.
Arlo Pro 2 HomeKit support
It's so cute that I can finally access my Arlo cameras from the Home app. I can see a preview of any of the cameras that I have configured in the Home app as a favorite, allowing me to have a quick look at everything that happens locally at one point.
Preview the rooms via the Favorites tab
Of course, you can also touch any of the rooms for live viewing at any time. It should be noted that the live viewing interface of the HomeKit camera of iOS 12 is slightly more limited than what you will find in iOS 13.
HomeKit iOS 12 live camera view interface of iOS iOS
With iOS 13 you can quickly switch between configured rooms through a handy drop-down menu. Another nice thing about the live feed interface in iOS 13 is that you can easily access any other HomeKit accessories in the same room with a tap of the camera button in the bottom right corner. This is useful, for example, if you detect motion in a room and want to quickly turn on a light in the same room.
The iOS 13 HomeKit live camera interface is a bit denser
Siri support means I can simply say "Hey Siri, show me the Office room" and Siri will launch the Home application with a live view of the camera quickly.
Another great feature is interactive notifications. When a camera detects movement, a notification will be displayed that includes a live camera stream if you want to quickly view it. Similar notifications have long been available in the Arlo app, but it's nice to have such functionality within the native Home app.
Notifications provide a preview of the current scene
But the most important thing about HomeKit support with the Arlo camera is how it allows you to interact with other HomeKit-compatible devices. Previously, Arlo cameras were more or less quarantined compared to the rest of the HomeKit-enabled smart devices, which limited the potential and usefulness of these cameras.
For example, without HomeKit support, I wouldn't be able to get Philips Hue to light up when my Arlo Pro 2 camera detected motion at night. With HomeKit support now in tow, such combinations are a real possibility.
There's still room for the Arlo app
This does not mean that HomeKit support will completely fill the need for the Arlo application. There remain many functions that remain useful for Arlo application users - general configuration and optimization, the ability to use functions such as two-way radios, lack of support for other devices such as Arlo Ultra and security lights in the Home application.
The most obvious difference between the two is the inability to save or view recordings directly from the Home application. Although the Home app offers real-time monitoring, the DVR functionality is what makes a security-oriented camera system, such as Arlo, so efficient.
Apple has announced it is expanding its support for security cameras in iOS 13 with HomeKit Secure Video, a feature that is separate from generic HomeKit support. Not only will this new service include privacy enhancements, but it will also allow accepted rooms to save 10 days of iCloud registrations at no extra charge for 200 GB and 2 TB iCloud storage level subscribers.
It is possible that whether the currently obtained Arlo cameras will be compatible with HomeKit Secure Video, but I will not resist. Arlo makes money from subscriptions that include DVRs, so there may be little incentive to support HomeKit Secure Video.
Currently, there is currently a limited list of camera manufacturers - Logitech, Eufy, Netatmo and Robin - that will include support for HomeKit Secure Video in some of their current and future products. Logitech recently announced that its currently available Circle 2 wireless security camera will gain support.
9to5Mac's Take
It's been a long time coming, but HomeKit support for Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 is finally here. Such support will not eliminate the need for the full Arlo app, but the ability to quickly view real-time camera views through Siri and have the ability to integrate cameras into the rest of the HomeKit configuration is a nice first step and a welcome addition. .
Here's hoping that Arlo will be able to work with other HomeKit-supported devices, in particular, the 4K-compatible Arlo Ultra that we recently reviewed.
What are your thoughts on Arlo Pro and Arlo Pro 2 to finally get HomeKit support? Call below in the comments with your thoughts.
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