Logitech adds HomeKit to Circle 2 Wired, says Apple won't allow support on battery-powered model

Logitech on Thursday released a firmware update for the $180 Circle 2 Wired, making it just the second security camera currently available on the market to support Apple's HomeKit platform.

The added HomeKit to the Logitech Circle 2 Wired now allows control via Siri and the iOS Home app, including watching streams, though remote HomeKit access requires an Apple TV, iPad, or HomePod set up as a hub. More significantly the camera can now be integrated into scenes, for instance triggering lights when it detects motion outside.

To receive the update, people must get the latest version of the Logi Circle iOS app, then go into Settings, select "More Settings," and finally tap "Update Firmware."

HomeKit support won't be available on the Circle 2 Wire-Free, according to Logitech, since Apple's own standards are said to block support on battery-powered cameras. HomeKit support for the Circle 2 Wired were first announced by Logitech in June.

The only other camera with HomeKit compatibility is the D-Link Omna 180. Support is forthcoming from other parties like Netatmo and Ring, but exact release dates have so far been absent.

HomeKit will gain a number of improvements with this fall's iOS 11, such as multi-person geofencing and conditional triggers. It will also support one-time and scheduled events, as well as offsets, for instance turning lights on 30 minutes before sunset.

The Logitech Circle 2 Wired is now available to purchase direct from the company for $179.99. The product will also be available, with select accessories, at Apple retail stores and Apple.com throughout the U.S. and Europe beginning in October.

4 Comments

mooeymoose 15 comments · 12 Years

About 7 years ago

Has anyone been able to successfully add this to home kit. I can turn home kit on the device and I can see it in home kit app but I do not have an 8 digit code to complete it.

scottoldford 1 comment · 7 Years

mooeymoose said:

Has anyone been able to successfully add this to home kit. I can turn home kit on the device and I can see it in home kit app but I do not have an 8 digit code to complete it.

According to a Logitech Support Article on setting the camera up with HomeKit you'll find the code in the Quick Start Guide (QSG) and/or etched onto the camera; mine was not in the QSG, but I did find it (with some difficulty however) on the camera. Linked is the Support Article.

http://support.logitech.com/en_us/product/circle-2-home-security-camera/faq?utm_source=Circle&utm_campaign=9174667b8c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_COMET_APPLEHOMEKIT_20170907&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_57bf2a4dcb-9174667b8c-156495217#setup

HK2020 1 comment · 7 Years

I got 2 joined to HomeKit, but had to dismantle them to get the HK codes on my early Circle 2's. My quick start guide did not have the HK codes on them.

I have the dlink HomeKit camera and now this Logitech one. Each have a couple atvantages and disadvantages. The dlink however is 10x more responsive to update and let's us view it from multiple iPhones at the same time. The Logitech is sluggish and is not letting two people view at once.

I love most everything else about it but this is going to be a deal breaker.

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