Connect Unifi to Homekit – Ubiquiti Unifi Protect

Building the Future of IT, Ubiquiti UniFi has a collection of incredible Products. You can access wireless controls over the Cameras and also other Controller Devices. Well, If you want to Connect Unifi to Homekit, Read along and Know How to Connect using the 5 Best ways for Ubiquiti Unifi Protect to Apple Homekit .

How to Connect Unifi to Homekit - Ubiquiti Unifi Protect

Does Unifi work with Homekit?

Unfortunately, The Unifi is not Homekit Compatible and it is not natively available. Although Ubiquiti has still not developed Homekit Integration for its Unifi products. You may take a chance and try the Alternative that will help you to connect Unifi to Homekit.

Read also:Connect Somfy Devices to Homekit

How to Connect Unifi to Homekit?

Since there is no official way to connect UniFi to Homekit, We will be using our 5 best alternatives. To Integrate your Non-Homekit Devices to Homekit, Here are some ways to help you out.

  • Homebridge.
  • HOOBS.
  • Scrypted.
  • Home Assistant. 
  • OpenHab.

Luckily, Homebridge does support Homekit Secure Video for All UniFi Protect Cameras.

How to Set up Unifi Protect to Homekit?

 How to Connect UniFi to Homekit

In order to Integrate Unifi to Homekit through Homebridge, You will need to carry out certain settings. Make sure you follow the Homebridge Unifi Protect Steps.

  • Create an Account in UniFi Protect on Ubiquiti.
  • Enable – Add a Read Only User to Unifi Protect to monitor and control your cameras. So, that the Homebridge can connect to Protect, register to events, and then bridge to Homekit.
  • Enable the RTSP Streaming Service to make your Unifi Cameras Discoverable.
  • Name your Camera to make it easy to select.

You will need ;

  • Unifi G3 Flex.
  • Unifi Cloud Key Gen2 Plus.
  • Raspberry Pi 3 Model B+.
  • Unifi Protect Controller – IP Address, Username, and Password.

Unifi to Homekit Via Homebridge

Through Homebridge you can integrate Unifi to Homekit and get controls. The Procedure is pretty simple, You will just need to Follow these instructions and Scan the QR Code. Finally, You can add using the Bridge on the Apple Home App.

Homebridge is a Lightweight NodeJS Server that bridges to connect to Homekit with the iOS Homekit API.

  • Firstly, Login to the UniFi Protect on the Google Browser.
  • Choose the Camera that you want to enable Homekit on.
  • Click on the Manage Tab and then Expand RTSP to enable stream.
  • Note down the URL of the Stream.
  • Set up and Prepare  Raspberry Pi SD Card.
  • Install Node.js Repository > FFmpeg.
  • Install Homebridge> and then Get Started.

For a more detailed guide on How to get Homebridge, Refer here.

Add the Homebridge Unifi Protect

  1. Go to the Plugins Tab on the Homebridge and Search for the Homebridge Unifi Protect.
  2. Install the Plugin and Click on Set up. Enter your IP Address, Username, and Password.
  3. Complete the Configuration ( If needed ). Type down the Correct Configuration Code for your Plugin.
  4. Save and Restart Homebridge. Then Set up the Child Bridge.
  5. Now, Click on the Connect to Homekit to generate the QR Code.

Connect Unifi to Homekit on the Home App 

Once when the Configuration is done, You can connect your Unifi to Homekit on the Apple Home App.

  • Install the Apple Home App on your iPhone.
  • Open the App >Tap on + and Add Accessory.

 How to Connect UniFi to Homekit

  • Scan the QR Code to add the Unifi Protect to Homekit.
  • You can choose to Locate, or Rename your Cameras as you want.
  • Finally, You can access all your Connected Unifi Protect devices on the Homekit.

Check Out::How to Connect Linksys Router to HomeKit?

Use HOOBS to Connect Unifi to Homekit 

Another way to integrate Unifi devices into Homekit is using the HOOBS. This is a Third Party Bridge that can help you add Unifi Protect Cameras, Doorbells, and Other Accessories. Using HOOBS – A Plug and Play Device you can easily integrate into Apple Homekit.

  • Set up the HOOBS Device and Install the HOOBS Client App.
  • Search and Install the UniFi Protect Plugin.
  • Complete the Configuration – You can use the codes below, or change them depending on your device.
{
    "platforms": [{
        "platform": "UniFi Protect",
        "controllers": [{
            "address": "1.2.3.4",
            "username": "some-unifi-protect-user (or create a new one just)",
            "password": "some-password"
        }]
    }]
}

Therefore, When the Configuration is done, Restart HOOBS and Generate the UniFi Homekit Code on the HOOBS Website.

Finally, Go to the Home App>Tap + > Add Accessory>Scan the QR Code and Connect UniFi to Homekit.

Ubiquiti UniFi to Homekit Via Scrypted 

Although this might be a Little Tech Expert Method and time-consuming. You can try to Add your UniFi Devices to Homekit using Scrypted.

Ubiquiti UniFi to Homekit Via Scrypted 

  • Make sure to create a UniFi Protect User Account which is a Read-Only User.
  • Then Add Cameras to the Homekit to complete the Integration.

Unifi Protect to Homekit via Home Assistant 

On Home Assistant, The UniFi Protect Integration helps users get support for their Unifi Cameras. Allows access to retrieve camera feeds, settings, and sensor data from the UniFi Protect App running on devices UniFi OS. The Integration is supported on ALL UniFi Protect devices including the network video recorder, Dream Device, and the Cloud Key Gen2 Plus. 

Mandatory Requirements for Unifi Protect on Home Assistant

  • Any device that runs on the UniFi Protect OS. 
  • Updated Software and Hardware. 
  • Local User Credentials for your Ubiquiti Unifi device.- Create and add a new admin on the Unifi Protect app, use your credentials to log in, and allow full management.
  • Enable Camera StreamsOpen the Unifi Protect app>Devices>Choose your camera>Settings>Advanced> Enable 1 or  3 as you wish.

Configure your Camera

  • Now, Add the integration and Complete the Configuration. 
  • On Home Assistant Instance, Go to Settings>Devices &Services >Add Integration> UniFi Protect>Follow the  Onscreen prompts. 
  • Once your camera is added to the HA Entities.
  • Add Homekit Bridge to Home Assistant and bring your entities to be accessible on the Apple Home app. Check out here to learn how to do it – Easy Integration for Home Assistant to Homekit

UniFi Binding on OpenHab 

Yet another way to connect Ubiquiti UniFi Protect to Homekit is using the OpenHab Add-ons Bindings. Once you set up the binding, you can use the Homekit binding and integrate your devices into Apple Home.

The OpenHab UniFi Binding allows integration with the Ubiquiti UniFi Networks. You will need a UniFi Controller or a Bridge to set up the binding. Therefore, Configure the bridge and the thing you need to add. When the binding is done, Connect OpenHab to Homekit.

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Did you know that? Did you hear about it?

UniFi World Conference Tour  2024, is a Global Event. Where you can discover the Future of IT with Interactive training, giveaways, and a lot more. You can also join the World Journey which is absolutely Free of Cost. Here are the dates for the UniFi World Conference 2024.

Bottom Line 

Ubiquiti UniFi does have a variety of Services provided. From Wifi to Networking, Cameras, Doorbells, and many more. But the only thing that it lacks is Apple Homekit Compatibility. However, We hope that this Guide will have solved your issue with connecting UniFi to Homekit. Make sure to follow the steps carefully. Homebridge, HOOBS, Scrypted, Home Assistant , and OpenHab– Everything needs to be done with a Plugin Installation, So get a good one.

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