Hikvision & HomeKit: How to Connect When Not Supported

Integrating Hikvision Cameras with Apple HomeKit: A Guide

If you're an Apple user, you know the convenience of managing all your smart devices within the seamless ecosystem of Apple HomeKit. You might be wondering if it's possible to add your high-quality Hikvision security cameras to the Apple Home app. The short answer is that Hikvision does not offer native support for Apple HomeKit.

However, that doesn't mean it's impossible. This guide will explain why there's no direct support and walk you through the most popular and effective workaround: using Homebridge.

## Why Isn't HomeKit Natively Supported?

Manufacturers must go through a specific certification process with Apple (the MFi Program) to have their products officially support HomeKit. This involves meeting certain hardware and software security requirements. Hikvision, for various business and technical reasons, has chosen not to pursue this official certification for their cameras. Therefore, you cannot simply scan a code and add your Hikvision camera to the Home app.

## The Solution: Using a Bridge for Integration

To get your Hikvision camera into HomeKit, you need to use a piece of software that acts as a "bridge." This bridge communicates with your camera on one end and pretends to be a certified HomeKit device on the other, effectively tricking the Home app into accepting it. The most popular and well-supported solution for this is Homebridge.

### What You Will Need

• A Hikvision camera connected to your network.
• An "always-on" computer or device to run the bridge software. A Raspberry Pi is a popular, low-cost, and energy-efficient choice. A Mac or PC that is always running can also work.
• Some patience and a willingness to engage in a bit of technical configuration.

## How to Connect Hikvision to HomeKit via Homebridge

Homebridge is open-source software that emulates the HomeKit API. By installing specific plugins, you can extend its capabilities to control thousands of unsupported smart devices.

### Step 1: Set Up Homebridge

First, you need a functioning Homebridge server. The easiest way to get started is by using the official Homebridge Raspberry Pi Image, which comes pre-configured. You can find detailed installation instructions on the official Homebridge website.

### Step 2: Install the Camera Plugin

Once Homebridge is running, you'll need to install a plugin that can communicate with your Hikvision camera. One of the most powerful and versatile plugins for this is homebridge-camera-ffmpeg.

1. Open the Homebridge web interface in your browser.
2. Navigate to the Plugins tab.
3. Search for homebridge-camera-ffmpeg and install it.

### Step 3: Configure the Plugin

This is the most technical part. You will need to provide the plugin with the RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) address for your camera's video feed. The RTSP URL for Hikvision cameras usually follows a specific format.

A typical configuration in the plugin's JSON config file might look like this:

{
  "name": "My Hikvision Camera",
  "videoConfig": {
    "source": "-rtsp_transport tcp -i rtsp://USERNAME:PASSWORD@CAMERA_IP:554/Streaming/Channels/101/",
    "stillImageSource": "-i http://USERNAME:PASSWORD@CAMERA_IP/ISAPI/Streaming/channels/101/picture"
  }
}

You will need to replace USERNAME, PASSWORD, and CAMERA_IP with your camera's actual credentials and local IP address.

## What to Expect

Once configured correctly, your Hikvision camera will appear in your Apple Home app just like a native device. You can view the live stream, receive motion notifications, and use it in automations. While this method requires some initial setup, it's a stable and powerful way to integrate your professional-grade Hikvision cameras into the convenient Apple HomeKit ecosystem.