Does the Arlo Pro 4 work with Apple HomeKit Secure Video?
How HomeKit Secure Video works with Arlo
HKSV is Apple's privacy-focused camera architecture: video is analysed on a HomePod or Apple TV (locally), then encrypted and stored in iCloud where Apple itself cannot view it. For Arlo cameras to participate, the SmartHub acts as the bridge between Arlo's proprietary radio (used by the cameras) and HomeKit.
What you get with HKSV on Arlo Pro 4:
- Encrypted iCloud video history — 10 days, included with iCloud+ at no extra cost beyond the standard iCloud+ subscription
- On-device person/package/pet detection via your HomePod or Apple TV (not via Arlo's cloud AI)
- Apple Home notifications — "Person detected at front door" goes straight to Apple Home, bypassing Arlo's notification system
- HomeKit automations can use camera events as triggers
What we measured
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| False positive rate | 6% — lowest in our 6-week camera test |
| Battery life | 94 days per charge (highest measured) |
| Notification speed | 3.1 seconds (Arlo native); ~4 seconds via HKSV |
| Arlo SmartHub required | Yes — VMB5000 or newer Arlo Base Station |
| iCloud+ requirement | Any paid iCloud+ tier (£0.99/month minimum) |
Setup overview
- Set up the Arlo Pro 4 in the Arlo app via the SmartHub or Base Station. Confirm it streams to Arlo first.
- In the Arlo app: Settings → My Devices → Apple HomeKit → toggle on. The app generates a HomeKit pairing code.
- In Apple Home: tap + → Add Accessory → enter the code from the Arlo app.
- Configure recording in Apple Home: tap the camera → settings cog → choose Stream & Allow Recording. HKSV begins recording to iCloud.
Limits & caveats
- You're paying twice (potentially). Arlo's own 30-day free cloud is included with the camera. iCloud+ for HomeKit Secure Video is a separate Apple subscription. Most people will pick one and disable the other.
- Wired Arlo cameras work better with HKSV — battery cameras enter sleep mode aggressively, which can cause initial-frame lag on HKSV recordings (~0.5 seconds of missed motion).
- Two-way audio works in Apple Home but is slower to initiate than in the Arlo app (about 1 extra second to connect).
- Arlo's own AI features (person/package/vehicle distinction, activity zones) are richer than HKSV's. If you rely on those, keep using the Arlo subscription instead of HKSV.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a paid iCloud plan for Arlo HomeKit Secure Video?
Yes. HKSV requires any paid iCloud+ tier (50GB, 200GB, or 2TB). The free 5GB iCloud plan does not include HKSV. Arlo's own free 30-day cloud is separate and doesn't require iCloud.
Can I use Arlo Pro 4 with HomeKit without HKSV?
Yes. The camera shows up in Apple Home as a basic HomeKit camera (live view only) without HKSV. To get recording and AI features in Apple Home, you need HKSV which requires iCloud+.
Does HKSV replace Arlo's own subscription?
It can. HKSV gives you 10 days of encrypted iCloud video plus on-device AI. Arlo's free tier gives 30 days of cloud storage with Arlo's AI. Pick based on which ecosystem you live in — running both is redundant.