Arlo Rolls Out Apple Home Support for 2nd-Gen Essential Camera Lineup

Arlo has begun rolling out Apple Home integration for its Essential Second-Generation camera lineup, reports The-Ambient.

arlo indoor essential camera
The integration allows devices like the Arlo Essential 2K Video Doorbell, 2K Indoor Camera, and 2K Outdoor XL Camera (all second-gen models) to be added to the Apple Home app. That's provided they are connected to a compatible Arlo Base Station or SmartHub.

When properly connected, users will be able to view live feeds and screenshots, receive motion and audio notifications, and use two-way audio directly from the Apple Home app. The update also brings Siri voice control functionality and the ability to view camera feeds on Apple TV, making it convenient to check who's at the door without reaching for your phone.

As noted by The-Ambient, this update should prove a big improvement for Apple Home households, where third-party camera support has traditionally been inconsistent at best. While Arlo still hasn't implemented HomeKit Secure Video support (something many users have been clamoring for), standard HomeKit integration is a meaningful step toward a more unified smart home experience.

The rollout appears to be specifically for second-generation Essential devices, so owners of first-gen or other Arlo camera lines might need to wait a bit longer (or invest in newer hardware) to enjoy the same Apple Home integration.

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Top Rated Comments

Rob__Mac Avatar
6 hours ago at 02:57 am
Eurgh. Smart hubs. Absolute bane of smart home. This is what Matter is designed to get away from - so you don't need half a dozen Apple TV sized boxes sitting in your cupboard just to run a load of proprietary bridges.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SilmarilFinder Avatar
4 hours ago at 04:36 am

I'm currently looking for a doorbell to integrate into HomeKit but, after all this time, there still seems to be so little choice, and reviews are varied, to say the least...

Does anyone have a recommendation? Currently looking at the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 - but as I say, reviews are mixed...
On paper Aqara seems really nice but (a big but) its a Chinese company and whatever data gets in, there is no way out from China. It could be used for anything from AI training to tea break entertainment.

Yes, I know most budget cameras are made in China, but Aqara is suspiciously cheap and suspiciously good. Their privacy statement is about as convincing as a ‘trust me’ from a Facebook marketplace seller.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tiptopp Avatar
6 hours ago at 03:26 am
I'm currently looking for a doorbell to integrate into HomeKit but, after all this time, there still seems to be so little choice, and reviews are varied, to say the least...

Does anyone have a recommendation? Currently looking at the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 - but as I say, reviews are mixed...
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
bchery21 Avatar
3 hours ago at 05:33 am

I'm currently looking for a doorbell to integrate into HomeKit but, after all this time, there still seems to be so little choice, and reviews are varied, to say the least...

Does anyone have a recommendation? Currently looking at the Aqara Video Doorbell G4 - but as I say, reviews are mixed...
Despite the not so favorable reviews I took a chance on the Logitech Circle View doorbell. I’ve had it for 3 years now and it works great. The only downside is that the doorbell will go offline for a few minutes if it’s hot outside and in direct sunlight. If your doorbell isn’t in direct sunlight then you won’t need to worry about that.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
DogHouseDub Avatar
3 hours ago at 06:02 am

Eurgh. Smart hubs. Absolute bane of smart home. This is what Matter is designed to get away from - so you don't need half a dozen Apple TV sized boxes sitting in your cupboard just to run a load of proprietary bridges.
I completely agree...or agreed, until HomeKit lost connection with all of my bulbs and switches, and I had to go about the house accessing and rescanning all those barcodes to get everything active again. Devices that were connected through an intermediary hub only required re-adding the hub, not each individual device. That experience and the improved connection stability via the intermediary hub led me to reevaluate my previously held opinions. However, that is based on the current state of technology and could be resolved by Matter.
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tjrchka Avatar
3 hours ago at 06:10 am

On paper Aqara seems really nice but (a big but) its a Chinese company and whatever data gets in, there is no way out from China. It could be used for anything from AI training to tea break entertainment.

Yes, I know most budget cameras are made in China, but Aqara is suspiciously cheap and suspiciously good. Their privacy statement is about as convincing as a ‘trust me’ from a Facebook marketplace seller.
Thoughts on this:

What could be helpful is Macrumors, other sites or users sharing if they are finding these Chinese made smart home devices actually “reporting back home”. Akin to Little Snitch app on Mac.

I don’t doubt the possibility but where is the evidence or proof?

I personally use the Aqara Doorbell G4. Two reasons: it’s HomeKit compatible (works with HomeKit secure video) and I can use it with AA Batteries ?. No other option was available that does both. I’m using rechargeable AA batteries (they are actually 1.5v! And can get a few months of charge). This is in on an apartment door, another reason for the need for batteries.

It works! It’s my first smart doorbell and the quality is decent. I interact with it almost entirely in Home app. There is a Hub that’s also the door chime that has to be plugged in nearby.

One red flag ? was that it required me to change my password for my network. turning off symbols $&@! Etc.

Consideration there is to create a second (guest network) and put all smart devices on that.

Does anyone have experience or knowledge of devices reporting back “home” and what data is being sent back?
Score: 1 Votes (Like | Disagree)