Does Blink Work with Apple HomeKit?
If you're building your smart home within Apple's ecosystem, you've probably wondered if you can add your Blink cameras to the Home app. The short and direct answer is: Blink does not natively support Apple HomeKit.
This means you cannot simply scan a code and add your Blink cameras to the Apple Home app alongside your other HomeKit-enabled lights, plugs, and sensors. While this might be disappointing, it doesn't mean you're completely out of options. This guide will explain why this limitation exists and explore the popular workarounds to bridge the gap between Blink and HomeKit.
Why Blink and HomeKit Don't Natively Connect
The lack of integration is primarily a business decision. Blink is owned by Amazon, a major competitor to Apple in the smart home market. Amazon's focus is on integrating devices with its own voice assistant, Alexa. Prioritising integration with a direct competitor's platform, like Apple HomeKit, is not in their strategic interest. Therefore, they have not sought the "Works with Apple HomeKit" certification from Apple.
Workarounds for Blink HomeKit Integration
For the tech-savvy user, the most common way to connect Blink cameras to HomeKit is through a third-party solution called Homebridge.
What is Homebridge?
Homebridge is a lightweight server you can run on your home network (for example, on a Raspberry Pi or an always-on computer). It essentially tricks HomeKit into thinking that non-supported devices, like Blink cameras, are certified HomeKit products. It acts as a "bridge" between the two systems.
How It Works
- Set Up Homebridge: You install the Homebridge software on a device in your home.
- Install a Plugin: You then install a specific "Blink" plugin for Homebridge. This plugin is community-developed and knows how to communicate with Blink's servers.
- Configure the Plugin: You provide your Blink account credentials to the plugin.
- Add to HomeKit: Homebridge creates a virtual bridge that you can add to your Apple Home app. Once added, your Blink cameras will appear as if they were native HomeKit devices.
What You Can Do with the Homebridge Workaround
- View Live Feeds: See the live video from your Blink cameras directly in the Apple Home app.
- Arm/Disarm System: Control the state of your Blink system (arm or disarm) from within HomeKit.
- Motion-Based Automations: Use motion detected by a Blink camera to trigger other HomeKit devices. For example, if your Blink Outdoor camera detects motion, a HomeKit-enabled floodlight could turn on automatically.
- Siri Integration: Use Siri voice commands like "Hey Siri, show me the front door camera."
Limitations and Considerations
- Technical Skill Required: Setting up Homebridge is not a plug-and-play process. It requires some comfort with command-line interfaces and basic network configuration.
- Always-On Device: Homebridge needs to be running 24/7 on a device in your home. A Raspberry Pi is a popular, low-power choice for this.
- Reliability: Because these plugins are community-developed and rely on reverse-engineering Blink's API, they can sometimes break when Blink updates its software. You may need to update the plugin periodically.
- No Official Support: Neither Blink nor Apple will provide technical support for this setup.
Is It Worth It?
For dedicated Apple HomeKit users who want a single app to control their entire smart home, setting up Homebridge can be a rewarding project. The ability to integrate Blink's affordable cameras into powerful HomeKit automations is a significant advantage.
However, if you're not comfortable with the technical setup or prefer a more straightforward experience, it might be easier to use the Blink app for your cameras and the Home app for your other devices, or alternatively, invest in cameras that offer native HomeKit support from brands like Logitech, Eve, or Eufy.