How to Connect Any Reolink Smart Devices to Apple HomeKit
If you use both Reolink and Apple HomeKit, you have probably asked this question: why can't they just work together? Reolink HomeKit support isn't built in, but a bridge can put your Reolink cameras in the Apple Home app. Below are the methods that work today, what each one needs and which one records to HomeKit Secure Video.
Which Reolink HomeKit Method Should You Use?
| Feature | AddToHomeKit | ATH Bridge | HOOBS | Homebridge | Scrypted | Home Assistant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Guided setup that points you to the right plugin | Plug-and-play box with Homebridge preinstalled | Homebridge with a friendlier interface | Free, open-source bridge server | Free, open-source camera bridge | Free, open-source smart home platform |
| Live view in the Home app | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HomeKit Secure Video | No | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| Connects to the camera by | RTSP stream | RTSP stream | RTSP stream | RTSP stream | Scrypted Reolink plugin | Official Reolink integration |
| Setup effort | Low | Low | Medium | Medium to high | Medium to high | Medium to high |
| Best for | Beginners | Hands-off hardware | Existing HOOBS owners | Tinkerers with many brands | Recording and recognition | Existing Home Assistant users |
AddtoHomeKit [Recommended Solution]
If you are an Apple user Reolink AddToHomeKit is the best solution to add Reolink devices to Apple HomeKit. It is a third-party software solution that allows you to add any smart devices to Apple HomeKit. I like AddtoHomeKit! It provides step guides and also recommended solutions to integrate HomeKit Reolink.
Step-By-Step Guide to Connect Reolink to HomeKit with AddtoHomeKit
- Visit the official AddtoHomeKit website.
- Choose the Reolink ecosystem and proceed to the next page.
- Select your preferred solution.
- Choose the appropriate Operating System.
- Install the homebridge-camera-ffmpeg plugin.
- Tap on AddtoHomeKit.
- Follow the provided instructions and enjoy!
Pros and Cons of AddtoHomeKit
Pros
- Guided steps point you to the right Reolink camera plugin and setup
- Free to use as a guide
- The same process works for other non-HomeKit brands
- Good starting point if you've never set up a bridge
Cons
- Not a bridge on its own; you still need Homebridge, HOOBS or ATH Bridge running
- Video features depend on the plugin it points you to
- No HomeKit Secure Video, because it uses Homebridge camera plugins
Best for: Beginners who want step-by-step help adding a Reolink camera to Apple Home.
ATH Bridge [Affordable Solution]
ATH Bridge is an affordable way to add Reolink to Apple Home. It's a plug-and-play box with Homebridge already installed, so you skip setting up a server yourself. Add your Reolink camera with the homebridge-camera-ffmpeg plugin, following the HomeBridge steps below.
Pros and Cons of ATH Bridge
Pros
- Homebridge comes preinstalled, so there's no Raspberry Pi setup or SD card flashing
- Small, always-on box that stays on your home network
- Uses the same homebridge-camera-ffmpeg plugin as any Homebridge install
- Runs plugins for other brands on the same box
Cons
- One-time hardware cost
- You still enter the camera's RTSP details in the plugin settings
- No HomeKit Secure Video with this plugin
Best for: Reolink owners who want a dedicated plug-and-play Homebridge device and no server to maintain.
HOOBS Solution
HOOBS is a hardware solution that stands for HomeBridge out of the box. It allows you to connect non-HomeKit devices into HomeKit compatible devices. HOOBS runs the same homebridge-camera-ffmpeg plugin described in the HomeBridge section below.
You can also add Reolink devices to Apple HomeKit Using HomeBridge solution.
Pros and Cons of HOOBS
Pros
- Friendlier interface built on Homebridge
- Supports the homebridge-camera-ffmpeg plugin used for Reolink
- Can run plugins for several brands at the same time
Cons
- Current availability and support need checking before you buy
- Smaller community than Homebridge itself
- No HomeKit Secure Video with this plugin
Best for: People who already own a HOOBS box.
HomeBridge Solution
With the help of software, you may link non-HomeKit devices to Apple HomeKit via HomeBridge. It is a Node.js-based server. It also makes it possible to easily link HomeKit to smart devices that aren't supported. I like this solution too. But sometimes it's hard for me.
How to Add Reolink Cameras to Apple HomeKit Using HomeBridge
- Install Homebridge: Set it up on a Raspberry Pi, Mac, Windows PC or Linux computer using the official guides at homebridge.io, then open the Homebridge UI at
http://homebridge.local:8581. - Turn on RTSP on the camera: Open the camera's web page, go to Settings > Network > Advanced > Port Settings and make sure RTSP is enabled on port 554. Give the camera a fixed IP address on your router.
- Install the camera plugin: In the Homebridge UI, open Plugins, search for homebridge-camera-ffmpeg and click Install.
- Add your camera: Open the plugin's settings (or its JSON config) and add the camera's stream:
{ "platform": "Camera-ffmpeg", "cameras": [ { "name": "Reolink Driveway", "manufacturer": "Reolink", "unbridge": true, "videoConfig": { "source": "-rtsp_transport tcp -i rtsp://USERNAME:PASSWORD@CAMERA-IP:554/h264Preview_01_main", "audio": true } } ] }Use your camera's local username and password, not your Reolink cloud login. For a Reolink NVR, use the NVR's IP address and change 01 in the stream path to the channel number. Plugin options are listed in the homebridge-camera-ffmpeg README.
- Restart Homebridge: Use the restart button at the top right of the Homebridge UI.
- Add it to the Home app: Open the Apple Home app, tap +, choose Add Accessory, tap More options and select the camera. Enter the Homebridge setup code shown on the dashboard.
Third-party bridges are not supported by Reolink or Apple. Keep your camera firmware and plugins up to date.
Pros and Cons of HomeBridge
Pros
- Free and open source, set up from a web UI
- Works with any Reolink camera that offers an RTSP stream
- Can add each camera as its own accessory, so one slow camera doesn't hold up the others
- Huge plugin library for your other non-HomeKit devices
Cons
- Needs a computer, NAS or Raspberry Pi running all the time
- Each camera's stream URL is entered by hand
- No HomeKit Secure Video with homebridge-camera-ffmpeg
- Most battery cameras can't be added, because they don't offer RTSP
Best for: Hands-on users who want free, flexible Reolink live view in Apple Home.
Scrypted Solution [Best for HomeKit Secure Video]
Scrypted is a free, open-source video integration platform and NVR that can share security cameras with the Apple Home app. It is the only method in this guide that records Reolink HomeKit footage to HomeKit Secure Video. It also has a dedicated Reolink plugin that supports Reolink cameras and doorbells.
What You Need
- A computer, Mac or NAS that stays on all the time, ideally with a fixed IP address
- A Reolink camera or doorbell on the same network
- A HomePod or Apple TV set up as a home hub, which HomeKit Secure Video requires
- An iCloud+ plan: 50 GB covers one camera, 200 GB covers up to five and 2 TB or more covers unlimited cameras
How to Add Reolink Cameras to Apple HomeKit with Scrypted
- Install Scrypted, then install the Reolink plugin (
@scrypted/reolink) and add your camera. Confirm its video plays in Scrypted before you continue. - Install the HomeKit plugin (
@scrypted/homekit) and check that it is enabled for your camera. - In the Scrypted Management Console, open the camera's HomeKit settings and go to the Pairing section to find its QR code.
- Open the Apple Home app on your iPhone, tap +, choose Add Accessory and scan the camera's QR code. Each camera pairs as its own accessory by default.
- To record, open the camera's settings in the Home app, go to Recording Options and choose Stream & Allow Recording.
With the Reolink plugin, two-way audio works only on Reolink doorbells. Setup details are in the Scrypted HomeKit documentation.
Pros and Cons of Scrypted
Pros
- The only method here that records to HomeKit Secure Video
- A dedicated Reolink plugin connects to cameras and doorbells
- Each camera pairs as its own accessory by default, which the docs say performs better
- Free and open source
Cons
- More setup steps than Homebridge
- Needs an always-on computer or NAS, plus a HomePod or Apple TV for recording
- HKSV recording needs an iCloud+ plan with room for each camera
- Two-way audio works only on the doorbell, and some users report problems
Best for: Reolink owners who want HomeKit Secure Video recording and person, vehicle and package alerts.
Home Assistant Solution
Home Assistant has an official Reolink integration, authorized by Reolink, that supports Reolink cameras and NVRs on your local network. You can share each Reolink camera with Apple Home through Home Assistant's HomeKit Bridge integration. This method does not support HomeKit Secure Video, so choose Scrypted if you need recording. For more on the bridge itself, see our Home Assistant HomeKit guide.
How to Add Reolink Cameras to Apple Home with Home Assistant
- Go to Settings > Devices & services. Reolink cameras are usually discovered automatically. If yours isn't, select Add Integration, choose Reolink and sign in with the camera's or NVR's admin account.
- Add the HomeKit Bridge integration. Before pairing, open its options, change the mode to accessory and select one Reolink camera entity.
- Open the Apple Home app, tap +, choose Add Accessory and scan the QR code shown on the new HomeKit card in Home Assistant.
- Repeat steps 2 and 3 for each camera, because each one needs its own HomeKit instance in accessory mode.
The Reolink device password can only use letters, numbers and these symbols: @$*~_-+=!?.,:;'()[]. Full requirements are in the Home Assistant Reolink integration docs.
Pros and Cons of Home Assistant
Pros
- Official Reolink integration, authorized by Reolink
- Runs locally and keeps working if your cameras are blocked from the internet
- Supports Reolink NVRs as well as cameras
- Adds Reolink motion and detection sensors for automations
Cons
- No HomeKit Secure Video
- Each camera needs its own HomeKit instance in accessory mode
- Steeper learning curve if you don't already use Home Assistant
- Camera passwords can't use some special characters
Best for: People who already run Home Assistant, or who have a Reolink NVR.
Why Add Reolink Cameras to Apple HomeKit?
Here are some of the benefits of connecting Reolink with HomeKit:
- Centralized Control: By doing this, you can control your security cameras and other smart devices from a single platform.
- Enhanced Security: You can monitor your home security through the Home app.
- Automation Features: This allows you to automate tasks like turning on lights and improving security.
The same approach works for other brands. See how to add Blink devices to Apple HomeKit, set up an Abode HomeKit integration, or add any devices to Apple HomeKit.
Why Isn't My Reolink Camera Working in Apple Home?
- Black or frozen live view: HomeKit needs an H.264 stream. If your camera offers an H.265 setting, switch it to H.264, or use the lower-resolution Fluent stream (
h264Preview_01_sub). In Homebridge, some users fix this by settingvcodectocopy, so the stream isn't re-encoded. - Bridge can't reach the camera: Turn on RTSP in the camera's port settings (plus ONVIF and HTTP if your bridge uses them), and give the camera a fixed IP address. Keep the camera and the bridge on the same local network.
- Login errors: Use the camera's local admin username and password, not your Reolink cloud login. Home Assistant also rejects some special characters in the password.
- No Response: The device running your bridge may be offline, so restart it. Pairing each camera as its own accessory also stops one slow camera from holding up the rest.
- No remote view: Set up a HomePod, Apple TV or Apple HomeView as a home hub, and keep it powered on and connected.
- HomeKit Secure Video not recording: Only Scrypted supports HomeKit Secure Video in this guide. You also need a home hub, an iCloud+ plan with room for the camera, and Stream & Allow Recording turned on in the Home app.
- Battery camera won't connect: Reolink battery cameras don't support RTSP or ONVIF on their own. Connect them to a compatible Reolink Home Hub or NVR and use its stream instead, or choose a camera with native HomeKit support.
Does Reolink Work with Apple HomeView?
Not natively. Apple says HomeView works with Works with Apple Home and Matter accessories, and that its smart home features need a HomeKit- or Matter-enabled accessory, which Reolink cameras, doorbells and NVRs are not out of the box. To bring Reolink into the Apple Home app, use one of the bridge methods above, such as Homebridge or Scrypted; Apple has not said how bridged cameras appear on HomeView.
Researched on Apple's HomeView page and Newsroom announcement. Checked on 3 November 2026. HomeView goes on sale on 13 November 2026.
Does Reolink Work with Alexa and Google Home?
Yes, most Reolink cameras work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home through Reolink's Smart Home feature. Reolink lists these exceptions as standalone cameras: Duo PoE, Duo WiFi, Duo (battery), Duo 4G, Go and Go PT, plus add-on cameras sold in NVR kits.
Add Reolink to Amazon Alexa
- Add the camera to the Reolink app, or add its Home Hub or NVR if it's connected to one.
- In the Reolink app, go to Me > Smart Home, tap Amazon Alexa and choose Start using.
- Sign in to Amazon and tap Link to connect the two accounts.
- Turn on the toggle for each camera you want in Alexa.
- Open the Alexa app. Your cameras appear on the Devices page.
Add Reolink to Google Home
- In the Google Home app, tap Add device > Link apps or services, search for Reolink Smart Home and sign in with your Reolink account. Tap Allow.
- In the Reolink app, go to Me > Smart Home > Google Home and turn on your camera.
- Back in Google Home, open the camera, assign it to a home and choose a room.
Steps from Reolink's Alexa and Google Home support guides.
Editor’s Pick
My pick for most people is AddtoHomeKit, because it walks you through the right plugin and setup for your Reolink camera without much guesswork. If you'd rather not run your own server, ATH Bridge does the same job on its own hardware. If you want HomeKit Secure Video recording, choose Scrypted instead. Whichever you pick, a wired Reolink camera with RTSP turned on is the easiest to bridge.
FAQs about Reolink HomeKit
No. Reolink's support site says its cameras cannot work with Apple HomeKit, and that answer applies to all Reolink products. You can still add most wired Reolink cameras to the Apple Home app through a bridge such as Homebridge, ATH Bridge, Home Assistant or Scrypted, which reads the camera's video stream.
Not natively. Apple says HomeView works with Works with Apple Home and Matter accessories, and Reolink cameras are neither out of the box. You can add Reolink cameras to the Apple Home app with a bridge such as Homebridge or Scrypted, but Apple has not said how bridged cameras appear on HomeView.
Turn on RTSP in the camera's port settings, then add its stream to a bridge. In Homebridge, use the homebridge-camera-ffmpeg plugin with the h264Preview_01_main stream path. In Scrypted, install the Reolink and HomeKit plugins. Then open the Home app, tap the plus button, choose Add Accessory and scan the bridge's code.
Yes, through Scrypted. Its HomeKit plugin supports HomeKit Secure Video for cameras that report motion. You need a HomePod or Apple TV as a home hub and an iCloud+ plan: 50 GB covers one camera, 200 GB covers five and 2 TB covers unlimited cameras. Home Assistant's HomeKit Bridge does not support HomeKit Secure Video.
Yes, through a bridge. Scrypted's Reolink plugin supports Reolink cameras and doorbells, and its two-way audio works only on the doorbell. Once paired, the Home app can show the doorbell's live view and send ring alerts to your iPhone and HomePod. Some users report two-way audio problems, so test it before relying on it.
Yes, with the right bridge. Scrypted reads motion events from Reolink cameras, which is also what lets HomeKit Secure Video record clips. Home Assistant can link a Reolink motion sensor to the camera it shares with HomeKit. A basic homebridge-camera-ffmpeg setup streams video only, so it needs extra motion triggers before the Home app can alert you.
Not on their own. Reolink says its battery cameras do not support RTSP or ONVIF by themselves, which most HomeKit bridges need. Connected to a compatible Reolink Home Hub or NVR, they can share a stream through the hub instead. Check Reolink's Home Hub compatibility list for your model. Wired PoE and plug-in Wi-Fi models are the easiest to add.
Not for cameras today. No Reolink camera appears in the CSA certified Matter product list as of November 2026, and Apple has not announced Matter camera support in the Home app. Matter 1.5 added a camera device type in November 2025, so this could change. For now, use a bridge to add Reolink to Apple Home.
Yes, through a bridge. Home Assistant's official Reolink integration supports Reolink NVRs as well as cameras, so you can share each camera behind the NVR with Apple Home. Each camera then shows up in the Home app as its own accessory. The NVR itself does not appear as a HomeKit device, and its recordings stay in the Reolink app.
For most features, yes. A HomePod, Apple TV or Apple HomeView set up as a home hub lets you view Reolink cameras away from home, get alerts, run automations and record with HomeKit Secure Video. The computer or device running your bridge also needs to stay on all the time, ideally with a fixed IP address.
Yes, once a bridge adds it to Apple Home. You can ask Siri to show a Reolink camera by its Home app name on an iPhone, iPad or Apple TV, and use it in scenes and automations. Reolink-only features such as SD card playback, siren settings and smart detection settings stay in the Reolink app.
The software can be free. Homebridge, Scrypted and Home Assistant are free and open source, but each needs an always-on computer, Raspberry Pi or NAS. ATH Bridge and HOOBS are one-time hardware purchases instead. HomeKit Secure Video recording also needs an iCloud+ plan, and the 50 GB plan covers only one camera.
Yes, many models do. Reolink's support site says some Reolink cameras work with Amazon Alexa and Google Home, so you can view supported cameras on an Echo Show or a Nest Hub. Some models are excluded and live view on Google Home devices has limits, so check Reolink's compatibility list for your exact camera first.
