After an extended beta test and a fake start on a public release, Eufy has officially started extending HomeKit Secure Video support to eufyCam 2 and eufyCam 2c. This update means that you can now access and record motion events directly in the Home app via iCloud.

Eufy has been running HomeKit Secure Video in eufyCam 2 since March, but there have been several shutdowns and the launch has since begun. Eufy confirmed 9to5Mac that the update is official for everyone starting today and that the launch will be completed in the next 2-3 weeks.

This means that it may take a few days to access your devices, but you can continue to check in the Eufy app for the following updates:

• Firmware version - 2.1.0.4h
• Subsystem version - 1.3.0.9

Video HomeKit Secure requires an iCloud storage plan, although the recorded recordings do not count toward the iCloud storage limit. The 200 GB plan ($ 2.99 per month) allows you to access a room via HomeKit Secure Video, while the 2TB plan ($ 9.99 per month) allows up to 5 rooms.

Safe video requirements for HomeKit:

• iPhone, iPad or iPod touch running iOS 13.2 or iPadOS 13.2 or later
• iPad, Apple TV or HomePod used as a home hub
• 200 GB ($ 2.99 / month) for one room or 2TB ($ 9.99 / month) iCloud storage plan for up to 5 rooms

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For Eufy cameras, adding a monthly subscription is actually a downgrade. By default, EufyCam 2 and EufyCam 2c register the included SD card to the Eufy base station. This means that all videos are stored locally, rather than on Eufy servers, but it means that you can view the materials in the Eufy application.

Currently, I have two eufyCam 2c cameras mounted on the outside and I am a big fan of them. The wireless design was the biggest factor in my decision to choose eufyCam 2c over other outdoor camera options. When I made my purchase earlier this year, there was also the future promise of HomeKit Secure Video, although I never learned to buy a smart home accessory based on a future promise.

I've covered HomeKit Secure Video here a few times 9to5Mac. When a camera supports HomeKit Secure Video, you can manage all settings directly in the Home application. This includes room status light, night vision light, recording preferences and more.

You can set different recording preferences depending on whether you are at home or away. There are four different settings to choose from:

• Off: No one can transmit and nothing is recorded. This camera cannot detect activity and will not trigger vending machines or send notifications.
• Detect activity: This camera can detect activity to trigger automations and send notifications, but no one can transmit or record anything.
• Flow: Guests in this house can view the live stream of this room, but nothing is recorded. This camera can also detect activity to trigger automation or send notifications.
• Streaming and Allow: Guests in this house can view the live stream of this room. The activity detected by this camera will be recorded and can also be used to trigger automations or send notifications.

Finally, the HomeKit Secure Video with eufyCam 2c works much as you would expect. The movement is recorded and accessed through the Home application, as well as push activity notifications. You can specify whether you want to record when people, animals and / or vehicles are detected.

You can use eufyCam 2 and eufyCam 2c exclusively with HomeKit Secure Video or use it in combination with the Eufy application. In the last configuration, theoretically it would be to record in two places: iCloud and Eufy Base Station. This can be useful if you want to have a backup, but I personally see little reason for that.

One thing I follow over time is how HomeKit Secure Video affects the life of the eufyCam battery. Eufy offers a 180-day battery life for eufyCam 2c and a 365-day battery life for eufyCam 2. The Eufy application uses a variety of different controls to optimize battery life, so it will be interesting to see if the Home application can reproduce this optimization.

For many people, especially those who are not deep in the HomeKit ecosystem, it might make more sense to use the Eufy application without a subscription to manage videos. Personally, my goal is to get as many smart home accessories as possible in the Home app and the HomeKit ecosystem, so HomeKit Secure Video is a happy addition.

Now that HomeKit Secure Video is officially launching on eufyCam 2 and eufyCam 2c, they are even easier to recommend than before, due to the added versatility. The eufyCam 2 wireless system starts at $ 299 for two rooms and the base station. Usually the eufyCam 2c retails for $ 220, but is currently on sale for $ 186.99.

Read more about HomeKit Secure Video:

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