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HomeKit Weekly: Aqara G100 brings HomeKit Secure Video and much more

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HomeKit Secure Video continues to be the only camera storage option that I will use indoors. The Aqara G100 takes full advantage of that with 2K clarity (outside of HomeKit), weatherproof construction, and AI detection. It’s made to work indoors or outdoors, and can be used directly with HomeKit without needing another service.

Some of my favorite gear Aqara Smart Lock U50 Upgrade your doors with Apple Home Key and the Aqara U50.

HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything to do with Apple’s smart home framework.

Build quality and design

The Aqara G100 feels solid and well made. The company sells a white and block option as well. It uses a USB-C connection for power and includes a cable in the box, but no wall adaptor. There’s a rubber sleeve that fits around the cable connection to keep moisture out, which is a nice touch if you’re using it outside. I do like that you can bring your own charger incase you need a longer or shorter cable, but I still wish Aqara had included an adaptor in the box. It’s a small thing, and I know it would impact cost, but it should be included for cameras.

Setting up with HomeKit

Setting up the Aqara G100 in HomeKit is straightforward. Plug it in, open the Home app, and scan the QR code that’s printed on the camera or in the quick start guide. It’ll walk you through the setup process step by step. Once it’s onboarded, you’ll choose which room it belongs to and then decide how it should behave privacy wise by controlling whether it records and streams when you’re home, away, or both. After that, it’s ready to go. You’ll see the live feed right inside the Home app alongside your other HomeKit cameras.

HomeKit Secure Video is the reason to buy this

When added to HomeKit, the Aqara G100 works great with HomeKit Secure Video. You’ll get encrypted storage in iCloud, event-based recording, and familiar notifications when motion is detected. The footage is processed locally, so nothing leaves your network unencrypted. While the camera itself supports 2K resolution, HomeKit Secure Video is limited to 1080p (how is this still possible in 2025?), but the quality still looks great.

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