Understanding Doorbird and Apple HomeKit Compatibility
If you're an Apple user, you likely want all your smart home devices to integrate seamlessly within the Apple Home app. This raises a common question for those considering a high-end video doorbell: does Doorbird work with Apple HomeKit?
The short answer is that Doorbird does not offer native support for Apple HomeKit. This article explains why and explores the popular workarounds that tech-savvy users employ to achieve integration.
Why Doorbird Lacks Native HomeKit Support
Apple's HomeKit is a closed ecosystem that requires manufacturers to include specific hardware chips (MFi authentication chips) and undergo a rigorous software certification process to earn the "Works with Apple HomeKit" badge. This ensures a high standard of security and user experience.
Doorbird has chosen a different path. Instead of building for closed platforms like HomeKit, they have focused on creating a powerful, open system. They provide extensive Application Programming Interface (API) access, which allows developers and other systems to integrate with Doorbird devices in a highly customisable way. This strategy favours integration with professional home automation systems like Control4, Crestron, and Loxone, as well as providing flexibility for DIY enthusiasts.
Symptoms of Incompatibility
When a device is not HomeKit compatible, you will notice the following:
- No HomeKit Code: There is no QR code or 8-digit number on the device or in its manual to scan with the Apple Home app.
- Not Discoverable: The Home app will not be able to find or identify the Doorbird device on your network.
- No Official Mention: The product's packaging and official marketing materials will not feature the "Works with Apple HomeKit" logo.
The Solution: Using a HomeKit Bridge
While you can't connect Doorbird directly, you can use a "bridge" to make it visible and functional within HomeKit. The most common and powerful method for this is Homebridge.
What is Homebridge?
Homebridge is a piece of software that acts as a translator. It runs on a low-power computer on your network (like a Raspberry Pi or an always-on Mac/PC) and emulates the HomeKit API. Developers write plugins for Homebridge that can communicate with devices that don't natively support HomeKit, like Doorbird.
How it works:
- Homebridge Server: You set up the Homebridge software on a computer on your local network.
- Doorbird Plugin: You install a specific Homebridge plugin designed to communicate with the Doorbird API.
- Translation: The plugin takes information from the Doorbird (like a doorbell press or motion event) and sends it to Homebridge. Homebridge then translates this into a format HomeKit understands.
- Integration: Your Apple Home app sees the Homebridge server as a single HomeKit "bridge". Through this bridge, it can now see and control the Doorbird—letting you view the camera, receive notifications, and even trigger other HomeKit automations.
Setting up Homebridge requires a certain level of technical comfort, but it is an incredibly powerful tool that opens up the entire Apple HomeKit ecosystem to hundreds of otherwise incompatible devices. For Doorbird owners who want that seamless Apple integration, it is the most popular and effective solution.