When compatibility is important – It is important to consider. But on a sad note, If it is not compatible – what should we do? There are two options you can do.1) Get a Compatible Camera and 2) Make the incompatible – Compatible. How? To do that, there is only one option – Read the Guide here. Please take a glance at our effort to make it possible. Find How to Connect Reolink to Homekit. Does it work?
Does Reolink work with Homekit?
Unfortunately, The Answer is No. The Reolink doesn’t currently support the Homekit. Since Reolink offers you Power Over Ethernet Cameras – (PoE). Not Only Reolinks, But No PoE Cameras are compatible with the Apple Homekit as they require an additional server – i.e. – Homebridge to connect to the Home App to access Cameras and Doorbells.
But it does support the Google Home and Amazon Alexa. So, If you are open to Choosing other Options, These might be your compatible Picks.
So, Then How can you Connect Reolink to Homekit? Is it Possible? Of course, It is. But it does require some major tech tasks. So, Let us Start when you are ready.
Read also: Connect Govee to Homekit
How to Connect Reolink to Homekit ?
To Connect Reolink to Homekit or Any Devices that are not compatible with Apple Homekit.There are Four ways that you can choose from.
- Homebridge.
- Scrypted.
- HOOBS.
- Home Assistant.
Before Integrating the Reolink Cameras, You will need to Install, Register and Pair your Cameras.
Set up Reolink to Homekit
The app is available on iOS Devices including iPhones, iPads,iPods, and Macs.
- First of all, Install the Reolink app on your iPhone.
- Sign up or sign in using your Account credentials.
- On the App, Click on + and then Scan the QR Code on your camera to add.
- Now, Finally, Your Camera is paired and Ready to Configure.
Connect Reolink to Homekit using Homebridge
As you know, There is no direct way available to connect Reolink to Homekit. The First and Most commonly used Alternative is the Homebridge. Set up a Node JS Server on your Mac or PC to get the iOS Homekit API.
What do you need?
- Some Prerequisites to be done before Homebridge Configuration. Such as a Fine amount of computing power.
- Reolink RLC – 810A with Built-in Software.
- Homebridge Camera FFmpeg Plugin.
Reolink to Homekit – Homebridge Plugin
- Firstly, Go to the Homebridge and On the Plugin Search bar.
- Type Camera UI Plugin – homebridge-plugin Camera UI and Tap on Search.
Homebridge Camera UI is an NVR* – Network Video Recorder.Enables you to connect Homekit via Homebridge and Control RTSP Cameras.
- You will be displayed with the available packages. Choose and Click on Install.
- Once the Plugin Installation is done. Start to Configure it.
- Click on the Config tab.
- Now, Go to the Cameras and Type the name that you want.
- Select the Stream Configuration and Enter the Video and Video Substream Source.
- Type down the correct RTSP Address – It depends on the Reolink device model you use.
- Let’s say, You have an RLC – 811A – Go to the Website and Find the Camera Model.
- On the Model, Click on the URL> Enter your IP Address, Your Username, and your Password.
- Tap on Generate URL. Once done, Copy and Paste it directly into the RTSP Config tab.
- Once the Homebridge is done, Launch the Home App.
- Start Connect your Cameras to your Homekit. Then you can access controls and Manage your Homekit through the home app.
To Define : *NVR on Reolink works amazing for cameras with Video Storage. On Reolink, You can get to record video footage in digital format on a hard drive. The PoE NVR Kit is such an excellent product to invest in. You can get increased Video quality with an NVR – Homekit offers 1080p but with NVR, you get 4K Videos and record good.
Check out: How to Add Roborock Device to Homekit?
Reolink Camera to Homekit Via Scrypted
Scrypted is another method to connect the Reolink to Homekit. An Open source to integrate videos using plugins. It can be used for Homekit, Google Home, Alexa, and any Scrypted NVR. To use the Scrypted, You will need to have ;
- RTSP Streams* or RTMP Local Streaming.
- Use PoE – Wired Connections.
- Main and Sub Streams are required.
- H.264 Video with Codec Settings.
*What are RTSP Streams?
Real-Time Streaming Protocol also known as RTSP, is a Protocol that controls and transports media streams, video, and live audio between clients and servers across the internet. these streams are often used for IP Camera and DVR.
Scrypted Compatible Devices
- 4MP/2K Cameras – One-way audio.
- Reolink 510a – Wireless.
- Reolink Wifi/PoE Doorbell .
- The Reolink 4K Cameras can affect the Image quality, making it cropped, and reducing to 2K.
How to use the Scrypted for Reolink?
Reolink and Many other camera models are supported by Scrypted.On the Scrypted Management Console, Select the Plugins tab. Type and Search Plugin for Reolink Cameras.
- The Reolink Plugin is supported – Search and Install it.
HOOBS to Add Reolink to Homekit
If you have a HOOBS Device, You can give a try to this alternative method too.
- Start by connecting HOOBS to an internet connection(ethernet cable).
- Install the HOOBS Client App and Pair it with the device through the Network Scanner.
- Complete the setup and click Finish Set up and create an account.
Access RTSP
Go to the iSPY Website and click on more>camera database>choose Reolink.
Choose your model>enter IP Address> Username and Password> Generate URL. Copy the URL.
Configure the Plugin
- On the HOOBS Client app> Click Plugins>Search Camera UI.
- Install>Configuration>Enter camera name>Enable HSV>Stream Config>Paste RTSP URL and Add.
How to Connect Reolink to Homekit on Apple Home App?
Once the Configuration of the Plugin is done, follow the steps below;
Open the Home App > Add Accessory (+) icon >Scan QR Code (on the HOOBS Plugin page)> Follow as prompted.
Reolink Homekit with Home Assistant
Does Reolink work with Home Assistant?
Yes, it does pretty well with the Home assistant. Not every device but most of all are said to be compatible.
Moreover, Here’s how you can integrate :
- Install your Reolink cameras and connect them using Ethernet Cables/Adapters.
- Now, Download the Reolink app>Open<Tap + button>Scan the QR Code>Enter your Name and Password>Finish.
- Then, On the Home Assistant, Click on Add Integration to My.
- Look up the nearby devices and find Reolink devices. Select and complete the Integration.
Check Out:How to Connect Daikin to Homekit?
Does Reolink Require a Subscription?
No, Unlike Other security cameras, Reolink doesn’t require a subscription. It offers you with free iCloud subscription. So, it means you do not need to pay anything extra unless you need cloud storage extra. Get the Motion detection, local storage, and all other features absolutely FREE!
Also, No Subscription doesn’t compromise any features.
Are Reolink Systems any good?
Let us simply state some of the Pros and Cons to make it easy for you to decide. If they are any good?
| PROS | CONS |
| High Resolution |
Some models – Only basic features
|
| Color Night Vision | |
| No Subscription |
works on Wifi Only
|
| Loca; and Cloud Storage | |
| Weather Resistance |
Solar Panel not included
|
| Motion Detection | Alerts | |
| Works with Solar Panel |
Set up is a little glitchy
|
| Easy Installation. | |
| Smart Home Integration | No Continuous recording |
That’s a Wrap
Is Reolink Safe? As the Reolink brand states a slogan – Your Privacy, Our Priority- It saves your data securely and can be accessed only with a passcode. But there are a lot of drawbacks and controversies around – speaking of a security hole. You can solve this by updating the firmware (which works for many). You can also reset by – Pressing and Holding the Reset Button> Powering the camera. Along with the Connecting Reolink Camera to Homekit Via Alternatives. We have also enlisted the Pros and Cons of the Product. You can review and move forward as you like. Overall, The Advantages do stand still on the Cons. So, You can definitely go ahead. Since the workarounds can make your head around – Keep Patient and try the steps to make it possible.