HomeKit will securely store videos in iCloud, explicit router support coming

Apple is finally adding an oft-requested feature from smart home users with iOS 13 — securely storing HomeKit video in iCloud, as well as privacy additions coming to select routers.

Storing your home security videos inside of iCloud means that the video is encrypted locally in your home before being sent to Apple's servers where no one — Apple included — has access. Apple will give you a 10-day running window for recordings and it will not count towards your iCloud storage limit.

This will be free for a single camera with the 200GB iCloud storage plan and up to five cameras with the 2TB iCloud storage plan.

Cloud recording features

At launch, cameras from Logitech, Eufy, and Netatmo will support this cloud storage feature with others being added in the future.

Some of these cameras also transmit your streams up to their own cloud servers, so to help protect streaming, Apple is adding routers to HomeKit. Eero, Linksys, and service providers like Charter Spectrum will be first to include support.

AppleInsider will be reporting live throughout WWDC 2019, starting with the keynote on Monday, June 3. Get every announcement as it happens by downloading the AppleInsider app for iOS, and by making sure to follow us on YouTube, Twitter @appleinsider, Facebook and Instagram.

19 Comments

mobird 758 comments · 20 Years

About 5 years ago

Hey Apple, how about adding the Synology RT2600ac Router?

StrangeDays 12959 comments · 8 Years

This is awesome. I'd been asking why security camera companies couldn't let you use your own cloud storage (rather than their too-expensive monthly subscriptions), and here's the framework for it. Will buy. Would love to see some NAS system get in on the game, so we can use whatever-brand POE cameras, and have the NAS software integrate with HK Video.

HK Router is interesting too. My next non-Apple router (when this Extreme bites the dust) will have HK. Awesome.

jvmb 59 comments · 9 Years

StrangeDays said:

This is awesome. I'd been asking why security camera companies couldn't let you use your own cloud storage (rather than their too-expensive monthly subscriptions), and here's the framework for it. Will buy. Would love to see some NAS system get in on the game, so we can use whatever-brand POE cameras, and have the NAS software integrate with HK Video.

POE camera support would be great. I already have 5 POE camera, but there are no NVRs with a decent UX. I have been planning to turn an old Mac Mini into an NVR, but if it is built into the router that would be better.

jvmb said:

StrangeDays said:

This is awesome. I'd been asking why security camera companies couldn't let you use your own cloud storage (rather than their too-expensive monthly subscriptions), and here's the framework for it. Will buy. Would love to see some NAS system get in on the game, so we can use whatever-brand POE cameras, and have the NAS software integrate with HK Video.

POE camera support would be great. I already have 5 POE camera, but there are no NVRs with a decent UX. I have been planning to turn an old Mac Mini into an NVR, but if it is built into the router that would be better.

I'm looking to use this Synology NAS as a NVR:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075N1BYWX/

It has a NAS module for POE security cameras.

22july2013 3722 comments · 11 Years

I and my friends whose homes I setup with cameras will love this. I’m thrilled. Also it may cause those companies to get more competitive on pricing since apple gives 10 free storage days.