Ring Video Doorbells to Gain End-to-End Encryption, But Still No Sign of HomeKit Support

Amazon is rolling out end-to-end encryption for video captured by Ring doorbells, after a successful trial in the United States (via BBC News).

new ring
Amazon's worldwide adoption of the encryption standard for Ring will mean that video footage from the doorbell cameras is stored on Amazon's servers, but the content won't be accessible to the company and only the user's device on which the video is received will be able to view the files.

Other new security features also set to be added to Ring doorbells include the ability to use two-factor authenticator apps and Captcha images. Amazon bought the US-based firm Ring for around $1 billion in 2018.

Apple offers a similar service for HomeKit-enabled third-party cameras called HomeKit Secure Video, which leverages iCloud to securely stream and store video clips from compatible indoor and outdoor cameras and doorbells, with end-to-end encryption.

HomeKit Secure Video cameras and doorbells are managed through the Home app like other HomeKit accessories. However, despite assurances given in 2018 Amazon's Ring Video Doorbell still does not support Apple ‌HomeKit‌, and there is no indication that it plans to do so in the near future.

For people looking for alternatives, Apple in December began selling Logitech's Circle View Wired Doorbell ($200), one of the first video doorbells with support for ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌.

Starting with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, which will be publicly released in September, security cameras and video doorbells that support ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ will detect and notify you when a package has been delivered.

Tag: Ring

Popular Stories

iPhone SE 4 Thumb 1

iPhone SE 4 With Apple's Own 5G Modem 'Confirmed' to Launch in March

Tuesday November 19, 2024 12:12 pm PST by
Barclays analyst Tom O'Malley and his colleagues recently traveled to Asia to meet with various electronics manufacturers and suppliers. In a research note this week, outlining key takeaways from the trip, the analysts said they have "confirmed" that a fourth-generation iPhone SE with an Apple-designed 5G modem is slated to launch towards the end of the first quarter next year. In line with previo...
airtag purple

AirTag 2 Rumored to Launch Next Year With These New Features

Sunday November 17, 2024 5:18 am PST by
Apple released the AirTag in April 2021, so it is now three over and a half years old. While the AirTag has not received any hardware updates since then, a new version of the item tracking accessory is rumored to be in development. Below, we recap rumors about a second-generation AirTag. Timing Apple is aiming to release a new AirTag in mid-2025, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman....
Magic Mouse Next to Keyboard

No, Apple CEO Tim Cook Didn't Say He Prefers Logitech's MX Master 3 Over the Magic Mouse

Sunday November 17, 2024 3:03 pm PST by
While the Logitech MX Master 3 is a terrific mouse for the Mac, reports claiming that Apple CEO Tim Cook prefers that mouse over the Magic Mouse are false. The Wall Street Journal last month published an interview with Cook, in which he said he uses every Apple product every day. Soon after, The Verge's Wes Davis attempted to replicate using every Apple product in a single day. During that...
Generic iOS 18 Feature Real Mock

Apple Releases iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 With Security Fixes

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:10 am PST by
Apple today released iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1, minor updates to the iOS 18 and iPadOS 18 operating systems that debuted earlier in September. iOS 18.1.1 and iPadOS 18.1.1 come three weeks after the launch of iOS 18.1. The new software can be downloaded on eligible iPhones and iPads over-the-air by going to Settings > General > Software Update. Apple has also released iOS 17.7.2 for...
at t turbo indicator iphone 16 pro max v0 8hrh7w5f3w1e1

AT&T Turbo Indicator Showing Up in iPhone Status Bar for Subscribers

Wednesday November 20, 2024 3:42 am PST by
AT&T has begun displaying "Turbo" in the iPhone carrier label for customers subscribed to its premium network prioritization service, according to reports on Reddit. The new indicator seems to have started appearing after users updated to iOS 18.1.1, but that could be just coincidence. Image credit: Reddit user No_Highlight7476 The Turbo feature provides enhanced network performance through ...
iPhone 17 Slim Feature Single Camera 1 Redux

'iPhone 17 Air' Rumored to Surpass iPhone 6 as Thinnest iPhone Ever

Monday November 18, 2024 1:07 pm PST by
In a research note with Hong Kong-based investment bank Haitong today, obtained by MacRumors, Apple analyst Jeff Pu said he agrees with a recent rumor claiming that the so-called "iPhone 17 Air" will be around 6mm thick. "We agreed with the recent chatter of an 6mm thickness ultra-slim design of the iPhone 17 Slim model," he wrote. If that measurement proves to be accurate, there would be ...
bug security vulnerability issue fix larry

Make Sure to Update: iOS 18.1.1 and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 Fix Actively Exploited Vulnerabilities

Tuesday November 19, 2024 10:52 am PST by
The iOS 18.1.1, iPadOS 18.1.1, and macOS Sequoia 15.1.1 updates that Apple released today address JavaScriptCore and WebKit vulnerabilities that Apple says have been actively exploited on some devices. With the JavaScriptCore vulnerability, processing maliciously crafted web content could lead to arbitrary code execution. The WebKit vulnerability had the same issue with maliciously crafted...

Top Rated Comments

NightFox Avatar
44 months ago

I don't know why anyone would use a 'security service' like this. A presentation at DEFCON proved that these types of systems are worthless, as it is so easy to jam the wireless bandwidth they depend on. Just say no? SimpliSafe was proven especially susceptible to that form of attack. Encrypted or not, if the signals don't get out, there is nothing to trigger the system, and report an incident.

EDIT: PLUS DEFCON has shown glaring flaws in many security systems, including faking video on connected cameras for one brand. You could be looking at a recorded video, as people are carrying your stuff out the door.
A video doorbell isn't intended to secure your home against a sophisticated multi-layered attack. It's meant to let you see who's ringing the bell, see if your Amazon delivery has turned up and capture footage of some low-life looking for an easy way into your house to finance his habit.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zombierunner Avatar
44 months ago
Yes it will be encrypted so only Ring/Amazon staff can see your videos.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
canyonblue737 Avatar
44 months ago
HomeKit is not coming. It's become a meme and a joke among Ring users like myself after being promised for 4+ years.

At this point the reasons are one of the following:

1. Amazon is simply trolling Apple and its customers.
2. Because it was promised they want to avoid lawsuits when they admit it is NOT coming. Newer Ring products don't promise HomeKit in the future, so perhaps "legally" as long as they say HomeKit is coming someday for the older products they never have to actually deliver as they never promised "when." Eventually those products will long since be end of life and hopefully for Amazon and Ring... forgotten.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
44 months ago
I gave up any hopes for HomeKit support as soon as Amazon bought Ring, despite their previous commitments. I can get a degree of unofficial compatibility via HomeBridge plugins, but no HomeKit Secure Video. Ultimately I can't see any reason why Amazon/Ring would throw away their subscription income by offering HSV support.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jk1221 Avatar
44 months ago

How many door bell support HSV now? I’m keeping Logitech’s in my cart but it would be nice to see something new.
None that I can think of.

My biggest gripe with Homekt. It's been out for years and there is still slim pickings for hardware in many categories- in many 1 or 2 vendors so they control the pricing really without competition.

Especially for cameras when you get into HKSV due to the certification needed from Apple and restrictions on hardware.

And when it does come out it is often much more expensive than the alternatives since Apple wants their licensing fee for certification; which is also tough hardware-wise and not all hardware supports all Homekit features (versus there own app) which makes it even weirder.

Homekit really has been a bust IMO, minor one since there is some stuff out there, but still a bit of a bust. Maybe Matter will change that, it is hard to say. I doubt Apple will play nice with HKSV unless certified by them though.

Anything I buy at this point cannot be Homekit only, just in case. I don't want to be locked in.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QuarterSwede Avatar
44 months ago

Can anyone explain what prevents someone from stealing your 200$ doorbell?
Other than a security screw, nothing. They will replace it for free if some one does though so it’s not really an issue.

https://ring.com/warranty

If your Ring camera or doorbell product is stolen at any time after your purchase, Ring will replace the stolen device at no charge to you.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)