With package theft on the rise, security cameras and video doorbells are now essential to our homes. And while most security offerings support basics like remote monitoring and recording, Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video goes one step further with Package Detection.
With HomeKit Secure Video Package Detection, you’ll know precisely when a package arrives and where to look in the timeline of recorded events if it disappears. We’ll show you how easy it is to set up Package Detection for your HomeKit video doorbells and cameras.
What Is HomeKit Secure Video Package Detection?
Similar toHomeKit Secure Video Face Recognition, Home app Package Detection analyzes your camera or doorbell feeds to determine if any deliveries are within its view. If your camera or doorbell detects a package, Apple’s security solution will automatically record the event and notify you via a Home app alert if desired.
Unlike other Package Detection services that rely on the cloud for image processing, HomeKit Secure Video analyzes events locally via an Apple Home Hub. This approach provides the benefits of Package Detection without compromising your privacy and enables more timely notifications.
Despite image analysis occurring locally, recorded events get sent to iCloud for off-site storage. Like most Apple services, the Home app encrypts your video and generates a random key to ensure that only you—or those you share your Home with—can access it.
While Package Detection is best suited for video doorbells, you can enable it for any HomeKit Secure Video-compatible camera. This makes Package Detection perfect for areas such as outside your garage for larger parcels or for locations further away from your home, like your mailbox.
HomeKit Secure Video Package Detection: What You’ll Need
With several factors at play, you’ll need the right combination of hardware, software, and services to take advantage of Package Detection. To start, you’ll need a HomeKit Secure Video-compatible camera or doorbell.
While many HomeKit-compatible cameras are on the market, you’ll need to look for models that specifically mention HomeKit Secure Video. If you need help narrowing things down, ourcomplete guide to HomeKit Secure Videooffers several recommendations.
Image Credit:Eve Systems
Next, you’ll need toset up an Apple Home Hubin your household. Available Home Hub options include the Apple TV HD, Apple TV 4K, any generation HomePod, and the HomePod mini.
Since HomeKit utilizes iCloud for video storage, you’ll also need an active subscription to an iCloud+ plan (any tier will do). And finally, you’ll need to ensure that all of your Apple devices are up-to-date with the latest software to eliminate any potential compatibility issues.
How to Record Package Detection Events
Screenshot/Photo by Christopher Close – No attribution required
Once you have the right gear and all your devices up-to-date, you may enable HomeKit Secure Video Package Detection in the Home app. To do so, you’ll need to first navigate to your camera or doorbell and then locate recording options in settings.
Now, when a Package Detection event occurs, your camera or doorbell will automatically record and save the footage directly to iCloud. If you need help accessing, archiving, or sharing your video, check outhow to manage HomeKit Secure Video recordingsin the Home app.
How to Enable Home App Package Detection Notifications
In addition to recording Package Detection events, the Home app can notify you when a delivery arrives. As with enabling recording, it only takes a few taps to turn on alerts.
If you have multiple Apple devices, you’ll need to repeat the above steps on every iPhone, iPad, or Mac to ensure you never miss an alert. The same goes for every household member if youallow others to control your HomeKit and Matter accessoriesand want them to monitor deliveries.
Keep a Close Eye on Deliveries
With timely alerts and automatic event recording, HomeKit Secure Video Package Detection is an excellent way to monitor your front porch. While you might get a few false positives every now and then, you can rest assured knowing that your deliveries are safe and sound.
