Apple HomeKit and video Doorbell

[DamienZ]

I understand that some camera the essential kits are good to go to Apple home kit but I have the 2nd gen video doorbell can that go to Apple HomeKit too?

[arlo_nut]

I'm interested in this too.  I just purchased multiple Arlo 2nd Gen 2k Doorbells to replace my Nest Hellos (working with Homekit using Homebridge), as the rest of my cameras are Arlo and I have a Arlo Secure subscription. 

I was really disappointed to find out that the doorbells don't work with Homekit/SmartHubs.  I read on the Arlo KB that Arlo is currently working on a solution to make 2nd Generation Arlo Video Doorbells compatible with Arlo SmartHubs and Arlo Base Stations in 2024.  I'm considering returning these doorbells, so it would be great to understand if a solution is really being worked.

https://kb.arlo.com/000063193/Arlo-Video-Doorbell-2nd-Generation-FAQ

[JamesC]

The firmware allowing Base Station/SmartHub support and HomeKit compatibility will be available soon. I will provide an updated timeline for when this firmware will be available once we have more information to share.

JamesC

[arlo_nut]

JamesC, I appreciate your prompt response. 

[arlo_nut]

Hello JamesC.  Any update on this?  I just did a firmware upgrade on the doorbells and was hopeful that HomeKit would be a part of it.  Disappointingly, that does not appear to be the case.

[cyberjunkyfreak]

I just installed a couple of the Arlo gen 2 doorbells today and was surprised that they do not work with Apple Homekit.

[sjbtax]

I wouldn’t hold your breath on this one. We were promised an update to allow HomeKit support for years for the original Arlo Wired doorbell but to this day it has never happened. It can be connected to the hub but not appear in HomeKit. The wireless version from the time does however work with HomeKit.

[StephenB]

---

@sjbtax wrote:

I wouldn’t hold your breath on this one. We were promised an update to allow HomeKit support for years for the original Arlo Wired doorbell but to this day it has never happened. It can be connected to the hub but not appear in HomeKit. The wireless version from the time does however work with HomeKit.

---

 You got this backwards.  The wired 1st gen doorbell (AVD1001) does support homekit.  The wireless 1st gen doorbell (AVD2001) does not - and support for that feature is long overdue.

[Fischi]

Hallo zusammen, 

ist die Türklingel 2K den in Zukunft auch mit der Basisstation VMB5000r6 kompatibel und wird Home Kit nachgerüstet? Davon mache ich den Kauf gerade abhängig.

Viele Grüße

Mirco

[Fischi]

Hello everyone,

Will the 2K doorbell also be compatible with the VMB5000r6 base station in Germany in the future and will Home Kit be retrofitted? I'm making the purchase dependent on that.

Best Regards Mirco

[StephenB]

---

@Fischi wrote:

Will the 2K doorbell also be compatible with the VMB5000r6 base station in Germany in the future and will Home Kit be retrofitted? I'm making the purchase dependent on that.

---

Arlo is planning to add base station support (and I think homekit).  But they haven't said when.  It took them over a year to get these features for the Pro 5s, and several years for the AVD2001 doorbell.  So this could take them quite a while.

[shill_ds]

Any update on this? I've been seeing "soon" since January when I purchased my kit. Very disappointed in this entire platform. 

[nicknieto]

I'm waiting on an update on this too. Was very disappointed when updating my doorbell camera. HomeKit support is very much needed.

[Moondeer]

Post installation at the new house, after the new hub I thought I needed arrived, after resetting four times thinking I only needed to flip direct connect, finding out my new doorbell won’t integrate into the rest of my GD Arlo system consumed via Homekit. The doorbell is coming off and Arlo will be lucky to survive at all in this household now. First Sonos and now y’all f$&kers. 

[shill_ds]

Dude. 1000% return it. This update is never coming. They’ve been giving people the same response of “soon” since October last year. 

[Derekeh]

Bump. Any updates?

[arlo_nut]

@JamesC, please provide an update on timeline.  

[arlo_nut]

@JamesC, please provide an update on timeline

[StephenB]

---

@arlo_nut wrote:

@JamesC, please provide an update on timeline

---

Based on the history here:

1. Any date he gives you is likely to slip.  This could be due to Arlo not getting the work done on time, or it could be due to Apple taking their time in getting the cameras certified for homekit.
2. Whatever the cause, the forum will be flooded with angry feedback if Arlo misses the date. 

If I were in their shoes, I'd be silent until the feature is actually released.

[ameganf]

1. As the lead of a development team, if customers are asking for something it should be the top priority. Allowing a company to keep kicking a promised feature down the road is unacceptable in a customer goodwill standpoint. Also, Apple certification process is mostly automated. So that’s not an excuse. 
2. The forum is flooded with angry customers because the feature that’s been being promised for almost a year is not present. 

Stop defending mega corporations. They aren’t your friend. Just because you like the product doesn’t mean our opinions and frustrations are incorrect. 

[StephenB]

---

@ameganf wrote:

Stop defending mega corporations. They aren’t your friend. Just because you like the product doesn’t mean our opinions and frustrations are incorrect. 

---

1. In previous posts on other discussion threads I've said that IMO Arlo shouldn't have released the Gen 2 cameras (including the doorbells) until all the features were complete.  Also that they should have been supported worldwide at launch.
2. In Post 5 above, I pointed out that it took over a year for Arlo to get homekit support for the Pro 5, and several years to get the feature for the AVD2001.
3. In Post 19, I predicted that even if Arlo gave you a date, they wouldn't hit it.  

No idea how you are reaching the conclusion that any of these comments are "defending them".  I did say (or in any way imply) that taking years after launch to  reach feature complete are acceptable.

[kris812]

I ALSO just got the Essentials 2nd gen and a Base Station. HAD NO IDEA that I wouldn't be able to record on 300-400$ of equipment without a Subscription. WHAT A JOKE! The 99 is tempting but no CVR or constant recording ability is YET another step up in pricing. At this point I'm going to sell all this IP locked cameras to some other chump on eBay or something. Completely disappointed in your product and will be buying some topa cameras at a whopping 20-50 bucks each and the tech will live forever. FIX this DVR to our bases in the next week; or me and 2 other neighbors will ALL be switching products. They will be returning theirs to the stores; I will be using mine for target practice!

[shill_ds]

Still nothing. Bought my equipment a year ago. Still no HomeKit support. Been being promised for over a year now. But it makes sense. That’s a year of subscription revenue they got from me. Horrible product. I hope potential customers see this thread. 

[kris812]

I've contacted support. Still no time frame or even what year they will fix this...

I've suggested to 3 of my neighbors (one whom just purchased 12 of these cameras to use at multiple locations) to return them as they are inside the return window at their stores. I purchased mine on eBay cheaply, but even then, I will end up using these for Target practice to get 1 final picture out of them..

That is unless Arlo can come back with a decent time frame or resolution for this. BUT reading these forums and seeing I am NOT alone assures me, ARLO products will quickly become E waste due to their locked down IP.

Other cameras easily integrate to Home Assistant or off the shelf IP DVR's. These are a total nightmare that even hacking them into HA is through the web GUI, which is delayed and a royal PITA to deal with settings.

TRUELY anyone reading this should REALLY question their purchase decision.. Even the 99$ deal would buy me SEVERAL 3+ other cameras that would serve me well for 10+ years..

[kris812]

To ADD too this. JUST opening the Dashboard I have over 13 uBlocked IP's.. Everything still works with these blocked! BUT it makes you really question where is all our data going! That was 13 more IP's than 'needed to function'.

Even though Arlo is an American company/or so they say (just a store front probably), even amazon and google is making bank off of selling your data. CAN you imagine how much video footage is worth to advertisers?? Thats the CREAM of the crop if advertisers could SEE into your home even if 1/100 people have 1 camera inside!

SO; Local storage is NOT in their business plan, and probably hasn't been for years. I mean why would Netgear cut ties with Arlo 2 years ago? It was their only camera lineup at one time (which Worked locally but Arlo is EoL those products), that makes no sense other than "investors" came and bought it. That would take a semi load of money people! And Why would they do this? To piggie back on people's ignorance that this is still a Netgear product that has the peoples trust. I'm telling you, those 2 years of data collected is worth Billions!

They EoL working products after a couple years to force more purchasing and away for Netgears old camera model of local Storage. They claim great wishes and wonderful outcomes, only to leave us wanting to buy the plan so our investment still works.

Regards: Thousands of upset customers