Ecobee is expanding its security system integrations with new Apple Home support, all for the same monthly fee.
Users of the Ecobee Smart Thermostat who use the Ecobee Smart Security feature now can control and manage their security system, right from Apple Home.
Ecobee Smart Security leverages the brand's various sensors and cameras to create a DIY security system. You can add various cameras, motion sensors, or door sensors depending on your setup.
The existing standard plan of Ecobee Smart Security, which runs $5 a month, only supports user monitoring. The complete plan at $10 per month supports an unlimited number of cameras and includes professional monitoring.
There is no further charge for Apple Home security integration.
A history of Apple Home support
For ages, Ecobee has integrated with Apple Home to various degrees. Its flagship product, the Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium, has full Apple Home support and even operates as a Siri smart speaker.
Now you can see the temperature, your cameras, and your Ecobee security system in the Home app
Currently, Ecobee is the only company to support Siri on their device. It requires users to also have a HomePod or HomePod mini in their home, which may be a major factor as to why other speakers have yet to adopt it.
Ecobee's indoor camera supports HomeKit Secure Video for cloud recording and AI recognition. Lastly, its video doorbell also supports vanilla Apple Home, even if it lacks HomeKit Secure Video recording.
Ecobee's smart camera is affordable and can double as part of Ecobee's security system
With its latest update, that support grows. Ecobee thermostats are able to show as security systems in the Apple Home app.
Currently, our Ecobee Premium Smart Thermostat was not showing as a hub in the Home app. It may require a firmware update to enable the feature.
We've reached out to Ecobee to confirm.
Apple Home security systems
Security systems have been supported in Apple Home, formerly HomeKit, almost since the beginning. Still, there haven't been many to adopt it.
Abode and Aqara are largely the only alternatives. Ecobee now joins that list.
The Ecobee Smart Thermostat Premium is its flagship device that also acts as a hub
With Apple Home support, users can create automations and routines with their other accessories. For example, users could create a "goodnight" scene that will turn off the lights, lock the door, shut blinds, and arm the security system.
Users will also get push notifications when their security system mode changes. That would be when someone arrives or leaves or manually disarms or arms it.
Of course, the system can also be controlled with Siri, too. The voice command must be issued from an iPhone or iPad for security reasons, per Apple's restrictions.
