While there are some products that offer smooth integration, many people are wondering when there will be an integration of Ring products with the HomeKit.
So far, there have been no official answers released, and no official integration has taken place.
However, if you’re the impatient type (and we totally get that), then there may be a way you can integrate the two yourself.
In this article, we will discuss how you can use Ring with HomeKit. So, if this is of interest to you, then read on for more!
What Is Ring?
Ring LLC is a smart home and security company that is owned by Amazon. Ring LLC primarily sells video doorbells, this is known as their “flagship product.”
They also sell security cameras, alarm systems, and have an app that allows you to control all of these products from the comfort of your couch.
The products sold by Ring are either hard-wired or plug-in and have many features that make you feel safer whether you are home or not.
What Is HomeKit?
HomeKit is a type of software framework made by Apple. This ecosystem for controlling your smart home is available on iPhones (iOS) and iPad (IPadOS).
HomeKit allows users to communicate with, configure, and control any smart appliances for the home using their Apple devices.
HomeKits are extremely convenient tools that provide many benefits to a home.
HomeKit is Apple’s own version of Google Home and Alexa, from Amazon.
What Is A Home Smart Device?
A home smart device is any device that can be controlled with the internet – including products from the household. This can include:
Plugs
Light bulbs
Doorbells
And so much more!
However, unlike Alexa and Google Home, products that you want to work with your HomeKit need to be certified.
While this does allow the HomeKit a better level of protection against threats, it is difficult to connect products that are not certified but would be useful to integrate, such as Ring products.
Are Ring And HomeKit Compatible?
Officially, no. Ring and HomeKit are not compatible with one another.
However, thanks to some reverse engineering undertaken by the developer community within HomeKit, there is now software available that will connect the two together as though they were supported officially by their respective companies.
Most smart devices will connect to home platforms via a bridge or a hub.
In a way, these devices will act as a translator that deals with all communication between network protocols and platforms.
HomeKit and Ring devices are able to communicate and connect because of a software version of this bridge that will handle translation between them.
This tool is known as HomeBridge
What Exactly Is HomeBridge?
This is software that acts as a regular bridge. It is open-source, runs in the background in silence, offers free usage, and runs on many PC platforms, so you will definitely be able to find one that suits you.
Just like bridge devices that are officially supported by these companies, HomeBridge will translate your commands both to and from the HomeKit.
The HomeKit will only require its bridge device to have support, so it will easily recognize any devices that connect to HomeBridge.
HomeBridge is defined by a third-party plug-in since it is considered to be third-party software.
This is in opposition to regular bridge devices since they are usually defined by the bridge maker.
There are so many available that you will be able to install and add the bridge devices to your HomeKit in addition to the Ring plug-in.
So, when you install HomeBridge you will be able to find many opportunities.
When it comes to Ring, the best plug-in will allow for a connection between your Home Hub and Ring’s own cloud services.
This will permit your HomeKit to see the Ring device just like it would with any accessory for HomeKit.
What Are Some HomeBridge Options?
You do not need a server that needs to do a lot to run HomeBridge, as all it needs to do is run quietly in the background day in, day out.
So, we think that the best way to run HomeBridge is with Raspberry Pi. Raspberry Pi is a small computer that is very similar to other home bridge devices.
However, since they are so small, they are very easy to situate out of the way of everything else, so you don’t need to worry about the noise it is making or the heat it is giving off.
You will also need something low maintenance and reliable since the HomeBridge device will be a constant feature of your home.
So, we think the best thing to use is HOOBS. This stands for HomeBridge Out Of Box System.
All you need to do with this version is connect to the network in your home, and soon after you will be able to use plug-ins.
HOOBS’s interface is very easy to use, and after that, you can use it as an alternative to update the HomeBridge device or any plug-ins, much like other accessories.
Now, HOOBS offers 3 alternate ways to set up the HomeBridge. This will allow you a quick way to get your server in working order. Check them out below!
Purchase a Raspberry Pi and download the HOOBS image. Put the image on a Micro SD card.
Purchase a Raspberry Pi and then purchase a Micro SD card with a HOOBS image already downloaded.
Purchase a Raspberry Pi-like device that has already been reconfigured by the company.
What Do I Need To Get Started?
Check out our checklist of everything you will need to get started on connecting your Ring Device with your HomeKit!
A HomeHub for the HomeBridge
A Raspberry Pi, preferably a 3B+ / 4 model.
A HOOBS image (if you went for options 1 or 2 as seen above)
How To Use HOOBS To Connect Ring To Your HomeKit
Plug Your Raspberry Pi In
This is the first step you need to undertake when it comes to connecting your HomeKit and Ring products.
So, you will first need to remove the Raspberry Pi from its box and insert the Micro SD card.
Then, power up the Micro SD Card.
If there is a monitor connected to the PC, then you should find instructions detailing WiFi setup. You also have the option of connecting to the interface, but this is not necessary.
It is also important to note that you do not need to connect a keyboard or a mouse to the Raspberry Pi, it will work fine without it.
Set Up HOOBS On The Network
Now, the second step is setting up HOOBS on your network. If you use a wired ethernet connection, then HOOBS should have already performed a network configuration.
If you do not use a wired ethernet connection, then you need to connect to a temporary network, which is exactly what you would have to do if you were to use another smart device.
First, go to your phone and find “HOOBS” in your WiFi network options.
Once you have completed the step above, click it and enter the password.
Now, HOOBS should be configured to your network.
Once you have connected successfully, you need to get up another web browser.
Then, connect to the HOOBS interface. You can do this by typing in “http://hoobs.local.”
Please note that you will need both a password and a username for the administrator account, so it is important to make a note of them for ease of access.
Pair HomeKit With HOOBS
The third step in this connection process is to pair HomeKit with HOOBS. Once you have logged in, you will first see a dashboard.
This is the place your HomeBridge server will run.
Before the plug-ins are added, you need to make sure the HomeKit has been paired successfully. So, you need to do the following:
First, you need to go to the Home App (Apple).
Once opened, click the option to add an accessory.
Then, you need to scan the necessary code with the camera on your phone.
Check for success by clicking the house icon which you can find at the top of the screen.
Once you have completed the step above, go to the “Home Settings”
Now, click the “Hubs and Bridges” option.
From here, you will be able to connect HOOBS with any device in the vicinity.
Make Sure That The Plug-In Installed
Now that you have successfully connected to the HomeKit, you need the Ring plug-in to be installed to complete the set-up process.
So, you will need to go onto the HOOBS dashboard and do the following:
First, tap the “plug-in” icon, which you can find in the menu section.
Then, you will need to find the search bar and type in “ring”.
Now, you need to find the Ring plug-in that has the certified logo from HOOBS directly above it.
Finally, you will need to tap “install”
Once you have completed all of the above steps, the install will start to run, which will cause HOOBS to restart.
Connect The Plug-In And Ring
The last thing you need to do is log your Ring account into the plug-in. This will allow it to have access to all the necessary devices.
Since Ring is a platform service, the Ring servers will manage the controls.
This means that all you need to do is hook into the servers just like the app, and then HomeKit will become available!
Additionally, it is important to note that Ring now requires two-factor authentication. However, something you don’t want is to be constantly entering codes into HOOBS.
So, it is best to generate a token for authentication that HOOBS will be able to use as a replacement for your login details.
Luckily, this is a very easy thing to do thanks to the plug-in authentication tool!
Here’s how to do it:
First, you need to tap the menu for plug-ins.
Then, you need to find the HOOBS server and select it.
Next, you need to select the Ring plug-in.
After you have completed the step above, you need to select the option for “configuration”.
Then, you need to hit the button called “link account”. Once you have done this, a browser to the Ring login page will open. Here, you will need to enter your login details for Ring.
You will be emailed a two-factor authentication code. You will be required to copy this code into the plug-in page box.
Now, all you need to do is hit “save”, which you can find at the bottom of the screen.
From here, the device will restart and all of the Ring devices should appear in HomeKit (if you have typed in the code correctly.)
By default, they will appear in the same room as the HOOBS bridge, but they can easily be reassigned.
What Exactly Can HomeKit Ring Integration Do?
On the configuration page for the plug-in, there will be many options to customize or change the Ring experience in your HomeKit.
You can choose between hiding or showing some features, and changing features like lighting timers, etc.
Just don’t forget to save all of your changes when you’re finished!
HomeKit And Ring Cameras
You can now get Ring cameras in your HomeKit. Just like the HomeKit camera, they will generate a thumbnail in the Home app.
They will also refresh around every ten seconds, but this does depend on the settings you have out in place.
The camera will not be able to create a snapshot if they have motion detection switched off in the Ring app.
You will also be able to start a live view directly from the Home app. You can do this by clicking the camera icon.
However, this is a lot slower than using the HomeKit camera, because the live view is coming from the Ring cloud.
There are many other amazing features available, too.
You will be able to use motion sensors, sirens, floodlights, and more, depending on which model you have.
You will be able to use them all in scenes and automation like other HomeKit devices.
You will also be able to use the Home app to access two-way communication features!
However, it is important to note that the HomeKit Secure Video cannot be used for any video recording.
This is because they are not accessible to HomeBridge, as they are stored in the cloud service for Ring.
So, you will need to use the Ring app to see any recordings. To access these recordings, you will need to invest in a Ring Protect subscription.
HomeKit And Ring Doorbells
Ring doorbells will act as doorbells and many camera devices simultaneously.
You can also receive a snapshot of whatever is in front of the Ring doorbell whenever it is pressed, provided you allow notifications on HomeKit for a doorbell device.
Additionally, if you have a HomePod, then you can change the settings so the doorbell will chime when pressed.
HomeKit And Ring Alarms
The Ring alarm accessories have numerous controls and values.
You will be able to turn automation off for motion sensors, receive alerts for smoke, CO, and water sensors, monitor the battery level of the keypad, and control the smart locks that are connected to the Ring system.
Additionally, in the Home app, you will find a security panel that will show the system’s status.
You will also be able to change modes between Disarm, Away, and Home here.
Even if you do not have the products for the alarm, you will be able to control these camera modes which is extremely useful.
You will also be able to use automation to change this state.
However, HomeKit does not permit this to be achieved with location triggers without asking for your permission first, as a safety precaution.
Finally, with HomeKit and Ring alarms you will be able to make emergency buttons for your virtual Home app, and you will be able to find them in the plug-in configuration.
You could create panic buttons, burglar alarms, or fire alarms.
However, using these will set off the monitored alarm response that comes from Ring, and will result in the emergency services also being alerted.
HomeKit And Ring Smart Lighting
Many Ring products, provided they are connected to the Ring bridge, are able to be controlled like regular HomeKit accessories.
This can mean anything from thermostats to fans, to switches, and lights. They will also act like regular HomeKit accessories.
So, all of the devices mentioned are able to be used in automation and scenes just like any other HomeKit device, which makes for a much more cohesive and organized smart home.
Notifications For HomeKit
HomeKit sees Ring devices as its regular accessories, and this includes any notifications you will get.
This includes doorbell chimes from the HomePod, motion sensor notifications from your camera, and more!
There are several steps that the link between the two systems needs to go through, so it is important to note that the notifications may be slightly slower than they are when you are just using the Ring app.
However, they will still come in faster than a lot of other security cameras, so this is not something you need to worry about too much.
Additionally, there is a Modes feature in the Ring app that will allow you control over the notifications, although these may not be suitable for every situation.
For example, if you wanted to have a live recording but not be notified about it while at home, then HomeKit would be better because you have more control over the notifications on all the devices.
What Are Some Other Things That HomeBridge Can Do?
You will be able to add additional plug-ins when you have HOOBS and HomeBridge running on HomeKit.
For example, you could add Broadlink, Chamberlain, Sensibo, or Alexa!
These will provide additional services to the HomeKit, which can prove very useful to you.
In addition to this, if you have any smart home devices that are unsupported, you should search through the list of plug-ins to see if there is anything you can use there.
There are over 2000 plug-ins available, so there is a chance you’ll find something that suits you.
You will also have additional options for accessories you can purchase, as it is very likely there will be a plug-in for it.
You could also choose to connect to online services such as weather forecasts, etc, by enhancing any automation you have.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, there is no formal connection between Ring products and your HomeKit, despite other connections between the two companies being readily available.
However, thanks to some reverse engineering from a third-party developer community, there is now software available called HomeBridge, that connects the two together.
This works just as well as it would if they were supported officially by their respective companies.
HomeBridge translates any commands from the Ring products you have to the HomeKit.
This includes notifications, smart lighting, alarms, and doorbells! You have lots of controls and plug-ins that can make managing your home more convenient.
All you need to do to achieve this connection is follow the steps above – just set up HomeBridge on a Raspberry Pi and allow it to run like you would for any smart hub.
From here, you will find many products you want to add to your HomeKit, and you will have the freedom to do so.
We hope this article helped you understand how to connect Ring products and the HomeKit.
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