Ring Video Doorbells to Gain End-to-End Encryption, But Still No Sign of HomeKit Support

by

Amazon is rolling out end-to-end encryption for video captured by Ring doorbells, after a successful trial in the United States (via BBC News).

new ring
Amazon's worldwide adoption of the encryption standard for Ring will mean that video footage from the doorbell cameras is stored on Amazon's servers, but the content won't be accessible to the company and only the user's device on which the video is received will be able to view the files.

Other new security features also set to be added to Ring doorbells include the ability to use two-factor authenticator apps and Captcha images. Amazon bought the US-based firm Ring for around $1 billion in 2018.

Apple offers a similar service for HomeKit-enabled third-party cameras called HomeKit Secure Video, which leverages iCloud to securely stream and store video clips from compatible indoor and outdoor cameras and doorbells, with end-to-end encryption.

HomeKit Secure Video cameras and doorbells are managed through the Home app like other HomeKit accessories. However, despite assurances given in 2018 Amazon's Ring Video Doorbell still does not support Apple ‌HomeKit‌, and there is no indication that it plans to do so in the near future.

For people looking for alternatives, Apple in December began selling Logitech's Circle View Wired Doorbell ($200), one of the first video doorbells with support for ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌.

Starting with iOS 15 and iPadOS 15, which will be publicly released in September, security cameras and video doorbells that support ‌HomeKit Secure Video‌ will detect and notify you when a package has been delivered.

Tag: Ring

Popular Stories

Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature

Apple Announces Special Event in New York, London, and Shanghai on March 4

Monday February 16, 2026 6:05 am PST by
Apple today announced a "special Apple Experience" in New York, London, and Shanghai, taking place on March 4, 2026 at 9:00am ET. Apple invited select members of the media to the event in three major cities around the world. It is simply described as a "special Apple Experience," and there is no further information about what it may entail. The invitation features a 3D Apple logo design...
Read Full Article • 186 comments
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Apple Event on March 4: Here's What to Expect

Tuesday February 17, 2026 8:08 am PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. At an Apple Experience, attendees are typically given the opportunity to try out Apple's latest hardware or software. Following the launch of Apple Creator Studio last month, for example, some content creators attended an Apple Experience...
Read Full Article • 57 comments
Apple Announces Special Event in New York Feature 1

Rumor: Apple to Announce Multiple New Products in First Week of March

Tuesday February 17, 2026 6:35 pm PST by
Apple on Monday invited selected journalists and content creators to a "special Apple Experience" on Wednesday, March 4 in New York, London, and Shanghai. And now, rumors are surfacing about Apple's broader plans for that week. Daring Fireball's John Gruber today guessed that Apple will announce new products on a day-by-day basis from Monday, March 2 through Wednesday, March 4:What strikes...
Read Full Article • 112 comments
iphone 17 pro dark blue 1

Gurman: iPhone 18 Pro Could Be Underwhelming

Monday February 16, 2026 4:24 am PST by
Apple's upcoming iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max models "won't be a big update," according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the iPhone 18 Pro models will "represent minor tweaks from last year's iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max." He compared the upgrade to Apple's past practice of appending the letter "S" to its more minor...
Read Full Article • 110 comments
Toyota Rav4 Car Key Feature

Toyota Rolling Out Apple Wallet Car Keys on iPhone

Tuesday February 17, 2026 12:34 pm PST by
In 2020, Apple added a digital car key feature to its Wallet app, allowing users to lock, unlock, and start a compatible vehicle with an iPhone or Apple Watch. The feature is currently offered by select automakers, such as Audi, BMW, Hyundai, Kia, Genesis, Mercedes-Benz, and Volvo, and Toyota is now rolling out support as well. According to a Reddit post, select trims of the 2026 Toyota RAV4 ...
Read Full Article • 36 comments

Top Rated Comments

NightFox Avatar
NightFox
60 months ago

I don't know why anyone would use a 'security service' like this. A presentation at DEFCON proved that these types of systems are worthless, as it is so easy to jam the wireless bandwidth they depend on. Just say no? SimpliSafe was proven especially susceptible to that form of attack. Encrypted or not, if the signals don't get out, there is nothing to trigger the system, and report an incident.

EDIT: PLUS DEFCON has shown glaring flaws in many security systems, including faking video on connected cameras for one brand. You could be looking at a recorded video, as people are carrying your stuff out the door.
A video doorbell isn't intended to secure your home against a sophisticated multi-layered attack. It's meant to let you see who's ringing the bell, see if your Amazon delivery has turned up and capture footage of some low-life looking for an easy way into your house to finance his habit.
Score: 12 Votes (Like | Disagree)
zombierunner Avatar
zombierunner
60 months ago
Yes it will be encrypted so only Ring/Amazon staff can see your videos.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
C
canyonblue737
60 months ago
HomeKit is not coming. It's become a meme and a joke among Ring users like myself after being promised for 4+ years.

At this point the reasons are one of the following:

1. Amazon is simply trolling Apple and its customers.
2. Because it was promised they want to avoid lawsuits when they admit it is NOT coming. Newer Ring products don't promise HomeKit in the future, so perhaps "legally" as long as they say HomeKit is coming someday for the older products they never have to actually deliver as they never promised "when." Eventually those products will long since be end of life and hopefully for Amazon and Ring... forgotten.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
NightFox Avatar
NightFox
60 months ago
I gave up any hopes for HomeKit support as soon as Amazon bought Ring, despite their previous commitments. I can get a degree of unofficial compatibility via HomeBridge plugins, but no HomeKit Secure Video. Ultimately I can't see any reason why Amazon/Ring would throw away their subscription income by offering HSV support.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
J
jk1221
60 months ago

How many door bell support HSV now? I’m keeping Logitech’s in my cart but it would be nice to see something new.
None that I can think of.

My biggest gripe with Homekt. It's been out for years and there is still slim pickings for hardware in many categories- in many 1 or 2 vendors so they control the pricing really without competition.

Especially for cameras when you get into HKSV due to the certification needed from Apple and restrictions on hardware.

And when it does come out it is often much more expensive than the alternatives since Apple wants their licensing fee for certification; which is also tough hardware-wise and not all hardware supports all Homekit features (versus there own app) which makes it even weirder.

Homekit really has been a bust IMO, minor one since there is some stuff out there, but still a bit of a bust. Maybe Matter will change that, it is hard to say. I doubt Apple will play nice with HKSV unless certified by them though.

Anything I buy at this point cannot be Homekit only, just in case. I don't want to be locked in.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
QuarterSwede Avatar
QuarterSwede
60 months ago

Can anyone explain what prevents someone from stealing your 200$ doorbell?
Other than a security screw, nothing. They will replace it for free if some one does though so it’s not really an issue.

https://ring.com/warranty

If your Ring camera or doorbell product is stolen at any time after your purchase, Ring will replace the stolen device at no charge to you.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments