One of the most useful things HomeView does is show who is at the door before you get there. Its "Home Camera" face can show up to nine live camera streams at once, and it tells you when someone arrives. All of that runs on HomeKit Secure Video. Not every "HomeKit camera" supports it, and you need the right iCloud+ plan. Here is what to check before you buy.
The short answer
- For the full camera features on HomeView, the camera needs HomeKit Secure Video (HKSV).
- Recording history needs an iCloud+ plan: 50 GB for one camera, 200 GB for up to five, 2 TB for any number.
- HomeView itself is the home hub cameras need, so you don't need a HomePod or Apple TV as well.
- Apple's new LG cameras from the Home Collection are made for it, but sold only in the US, Canada and the UK.
What HomeKit Secure Video does on HomeView
With HKSV, video is analyzed on your own home hub and stored end-to-end encrypted in iCloud. On HomeView this gives you:
- a recording history you can scroll back through,
- detection of people, known faces, pets, parcels and vehicles,
- a notification for the household when someone arrives at the front door,
- video descriptions that summarize a clip in a sentence, so you don't have to watch it.
The descriptions and the search in plain language ("did a parcel arrive this afternoon?") also need an iPhone or iPad with Apple Intelligence. HomeView also listens for smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and sends a notice to your iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch.
Which iCloud+ plan you need
| Cameras | iCloud+ plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | 50 GB |
| up to 5 | 200 GB |
| any number | 2 TB |
The recordings don't count against your storage. The plan only sets how many cameras can use HKSV. Apple notes that the number of cameras per plan can change over time, so check before you add a sixth camera.
The Apple Home Collection cameras
LG built four cameras for the Home Collection. They start shipping in December.
| Camera | Where | US price |
|---|---|---|
| Video Doorbell (Wired) | Front door, two cameras: one for visitors, one for parcels | $249.95 |
| Outdoor Cam (Plug-In) | Wall or eave, color night vision | $299.95 |
| Floodlight Cam (Plug-In) | Driveway or garden, two floodlights that switch on with motion | $399.95 |
| Indoor Cam (Plug-In) | Living room or hallway, tilts down when you come home | $199.95 |
All four support Thread and keep recording to built-in storage when the Wi-Fi drops. The doorbell plays its chime on HomeView and HomePod.
Alternatives outside the US, Canada and UK
Cameras from other brands work the same way, as long as they support HomeKit Secure Video and not only "Works with Apple Home":
- Eve Cam and Eve Outdoor Cam are built only for HKSV, without an extra account or cloud.
- Netatmo Smart Outdoor Camera combines a camera and a light with HKSV support.
- Aqara offers HKSV doorbells and camera hubs, set up through its own app first.
Before you buy, look for "HomeKit Secure Video" on the product page or the box. The HomeView setup planner shows the options for your country and works out the iCloud+ plan.
Placing the cameras
HomeView shows a camera picture on a square 7-inch screen. Wide-angle doorbell views look best when the camera faces straight out, not down at a steep angle. Indoor cameras should not point at the HomeView itself, or you'll watch yourself on your own screen.
Frequently asked questions
Do all HomeKit cameras work with HomeView?
They all show up in the Home app, but the history, detection and video descriptions need HomeKit Secure Video. Check that it is listed.
Do I need iCloud+ to see a live camera feed on HomeView?
The plan is for the recording history and smart detection. Without it, check what your camera offers live in the Home app.
How many cameras can HomeView show at once?
Up to nine live streams on the "Home Camera" face.
Sources
- Apple Newsroom: Apple HomeView – a new way to enjoy entertainment and manage the home (13 October 2026)
- Apple Newsroom: Introducing Apple Home Collection (13 October 2026)
