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Start by removing people who no longer need access, then secure the Apple Account and devices used to manage your home. If you already have a compatible HomeKit router, review each accessory’s network setting—but use the strictest option that still allows its needed features, updates, and integrations to work.
1. Review who can control your home
In the Home app, open Home Settings and review the people who have access. Remove anyone who no longer needs it. Apple distinguishes residents, who can have access to all accessories, from guests, whose access can be limited to eligible security accessories and scheduled times. Remote and guest access require a home hub. Apple’s iPhone guide to inviting people says Home Guest access requires iOS 18 or iPadOS 18 or later.
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Guest access is not a general way to let visitors control every light, speaker, or other smart-home device. It is a narrower option for supported doors, locks, and security-system accessories; you choose which eligible accessories a guest can use and when.
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2. Protect the Apple Account and device you use to administer Home
Enable two-factor authentication for the Apple Account used with iCloud, and keep its trusted phone numbers and devices current. Apple describes two-factor authentication as “an additional layer of security for your Apple Account.” When you first sign in on a new device or on the web, Apple requires your password and a six-digit verification code sent to a trusted device or phone number. Apple’s account security guide explains the feature.
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- Home Monitoring with Instant Notifications: Keep a close eye on your home with the indoor cam Eve Cam and get notifications on your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch when something is up
- Maximum Privacy and Data Security: Protect your privacy with maximum data security Eve Cam exclusively supports Apple HomeKit Secure Video; End-to-end encryption ensures only you can view live and recorded video
- Smart Motion Detection and Automation: Record every motion automatically or distinguish between people and pets (People/Pet recognition) and automatically deactivate your camera when someone is home
- System Requirements: Eve Cam requires iPhone or iPad with the latest version of iOS/iPadOS and also a Home hub is required (HomePod or Apple TV with tvOS 15) and iCloud+ (not included)
- Wi-Fi Compatibility: Make sure that either the 2.4 gigahertz band or the 5 gigahertz band is enabled on your router. All Wi-Fi settings please see images
On iPhone or iPad, check the account setting at Settings > [your name] > Sign-In & Security. Also use a device passcode and enable Face ID or Touch ID if your device supports them: the account and device you use to manage Home are important parts of the home’s security.
3. If you have a compatible HomeKit router, review each accessory’s access
This setting applies only to homes with a compatible router set up for HomeKit. In the Home app, go to Home > Home Settings > Wi-Fi Network & Routers, select an accessory, and review its security level. Apple’s router guidance describes three options:
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- Eve Cam requires iPhone or iPad with the latest version of iOS/iPadOS, Home hub required (HomePod or Apple TV with tvOS 15) and iCloud+ (not included)
- Keep a close eye on your home with indoor cam Eve Cam and get notifications on your iPhone or iPad/Apple Watch when something is up
- Protect your privacy with maximum data security – Eve Cam exclusively supports Apple HomeKit Secure Video; End-to-end encryption ensures only you can view live and recorded video
- Record every motion automatically or distinguish between people and pets (People/Pet recognition) and automatically deactivate your camera when someone is home
| Setting | What it allows | Practical trade-off |
|---|---|---|
| Restrict to Home | The accessory can communicate with HomeKit through Apple devices, but cannot connect to the internet or other local devices. | Apple calls this “Most secure,” but warns that third-party services “like firmware updates, might be blocked.” Choose it only if the accessory’s required functions continue to work. |
| Automatic | The router permits internet sites and local ports on the manufacturer’s list of required connections. Apple describes this as its default in its security guide; the iPhone guide says the manufacturer-approved list is automatically updated. | Allows listed vendor connections while limiting access compared with an unrestricted setting. |
| No Restriction | The accessory can connect to any local device or internet service. | Apple identifies this as the least secure option because it allows the broadest network access. |
Use the tightest level that preserves how you rely on the accessory. After changing a setting, check the functions that matter—including firmware updates and vendor integrations—rather than assuming HomeKit control alone covers every feature. Apple documents the limits and options in its HomeKit router support page.
What a HomeKit router can do with Wi-Fi credentials
Apple’s technical guide to HomeKit routers says a compatible setup can give accessories accessory-specific Private PSKs (PPSKs), rather than exposing the main Wi-Fi password to them. Those credentials can be revoked when an accessory is removed. This benefit depends on supported router and accessory behavior and setup through the router manufacturer’s app; previously added accessories use PPSKs only if they support them, otherwise their existing credentials remain.
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- 2K Clarity Day and Night: The G100 Wi-Fi Camera films in 2304×1296 (3MP) resolution with a 140°FOV and a wide-angle f/1.8 lens for superior image quality. It features two night vision modes: Spotlight Color Night Vision and IR Detection Mode. The spotlight provides illumination in dark, great for color recording outdoors at night. The G100 also includes 940 nm infrared lighting, ensuring covert illumination without alerting potential intruders. (Note: Both Spotlight and IR night vision modes must be manually enabled in the app and do not turn on automatically.)
- Indoor/Outdoor Ready IP65 Protection: With durable, weather-resistant IP65-rated housing, the G100 surveillance camera is both an indoor camera and outdoor security camera, offering reliable home surveillance for flexible indoor or outdoor mounting. Withstands rain, dust, and rugged environments.
- Local and Cloud AI Detection: The G100 surveillance cameras supports local motion and person detection, and the HomeGuardian Plan unlocks cloud-based recognition for pets, vehicles, packages, and faces, with AI event tagging. Integrated Events automatically can be triggered when paired with other Aqara devices (subscription required). It also supports Lens Obstruction Detection, custom audio files, and 2-way audio (Notes: Only in Aqara Home App).
- HomeKit Support & Wide Compatibility: The Aqara G100 Camera provides full support for HomeKit Secure Video (Note:Requires an active iCloud subscription and an Apple Home hub. HomeKit limits resolution to 1080p. When connected to both Apple and Aqara Home, the G100’s resolution in Aqara Home will also be limited to 1080p, but will return to 1296p if HomeKit is disconnected.) The G100 has some of the best third-party ecosystem support on the market, it can stream to Google, Alexa compatible smart displays, and even Home Assistant via the RTSP protocol, making it easier to interact with visitors or check in on loved ones.
- Flexible Storage Methods: Record 24/7 with a microSD (up to 512GB, not included) or NAS. Time-lapse mode compresses 24-hours of footage to 15-second clips (wired connection and microSD card required). Automatically store detected events with end-to-end encryption in the cloud with a HomeGuardian subscription, ensuring protection against data theft and guaranteeing your privacy at home.
4. Understand what HomeKit’s built-in protections cover
Apple documents end-to-end encryption for HomeKit data in homes upgraded to the new architecture, which became available with iOS 16.2 and iPadOS 16.2. The data is synchronized through iCloud and iCloud Keychain, and Apple says it cannot access it. That does not make access review optional: Apple’s data-security guide says the home owner or another user with editing permissions can add users. Apple’s HomeKit data security guide describes the architecture.
For accessory control, Apple says commands between Apple devices and the home hub are end-to-end encrypted and authenticated, then forwarded to accessories using HomeKit Accessory Protocol (HAP) or Matter. Its HomeKit communication security guide also describes authentication between paired devices and accessories.
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- 2K Clarity Day and Night: The G100 Wi-Fi Camera films in 2304×1296 (3MP) resolution with a 140°FOV and a wide-angle f/1.8 lens for superior image quality. It features two night vision modes: Spotlight Color Night Vision and IR Detection Mode. The spotlight provides illumination in dark, great for color recording outdoors at night. The G100 also includes 940 nm infrared lighting, ensuring covert illumination without alerting potential intruders.
- Indoor/Outdoor Ready IP65 Protection: With durable, weather-resistant IP65-rated housing, the G100 surveillance camera is both an indoor camera and outdoor security camera, offering reliable home surveillance for flexible indoor or outdoor mounting. Withstands rain, dust, and rugged environments.
- Local and Cloud AI Detection: The G100 surveillance cameras supports local motion and person detection, and the HomeGuardian Plan unlocks cloud-based recognition for pets, vehicles, packages, and faces, with AI event tagging. Integrated Events automatically can be triggered when paired with other Aqara devices (subscription required). It also supports Lens Obstruction Detection, custom audio files, and 2-way audio (Notes: Only in Aqara Home App).
- HomeKit Support & Wide Compatibility: The Aqara G100 Camera provides full support for HomeKit Secure Video (Note:Requires an active iCloud subscription and an Apple Home hub. HomeKit limits resolution to 1080p. When connected to both Apple and Aqara Home, the G100’s resolution in Aqara Home will also be limited to 1080p, but will return to 1296p if HomeKit is disconnected.) The G100 has some of the best third-party ecosystem support on the market, it can stream to Google, Alexa compatible smart displays, and even Home Assistant via the RTSP protocol, making it easier to interact with visitors or check in on loved ones.
- Flexible Storage Methods: Record 24/7 with a microSD (up to 512GB, not included) or NAS. Time-lapse mode compresses 24-hours of footage to 15-second clips (wired connection and microSD card required). Automatically store detected events with end-to-end encryption in the cloud with a HomeGuardian subscription, ensuring protection against data theft and guaranteeing your privacy at home. The Aqara Camera G100 requires a power adapter with DC 5V/1A output which is not included in the box. Zigbee2MQTT and comparable third-party USB dongles are not officially supported by Aqara. Full product functionality may be limited or unavailable.
For cameras, Apple says local streams are encrypted and the home hub relays remote streams without decrypting them. With HomeKit Secure Video, the hub receives and analyzes video locally, and detected clips are encrypted before upload. These statements describe Apple’s documented HomeKit camera architecture; they do not establish identical handling by every camera brand or by services outside HomeKit. See Apple’s camera security guide.
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- 𝟒𝐊 𝐔𝐥𝐭𝐫𝐚-𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫, 𝟐𝟒/𝟕 𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 | Capture every detail, day or night, with crystal-clear 4K recording. Stay connected with family, baby, nanny and pets using the built-in two-way audio for real-time communication.
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- 𝐂𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐕𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐭-𝐈𝐧 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐭𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 | The integrated spotlight allows seamless switching between color night vision and infrared night vision for crystal-clear nighttime surveillance. The spotlight also doubles as a deterrent.
- 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 | Works effortlessly with HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Assistant for enhanced home automation. (Note: HomeKit supports up to 1080P resolution.)
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