Apple choose that your individual data bide on your devices . That philosophical system has preclude and delayed a number of product boast that some of Apple ’s   competitors have rolled out in the beginning , but the trade-off is often deserving it . A few months ago , Apple heighten its HomeKit Secure Video integration with iOS / iPadOS 14 ’s dwelling app to let you tie in your Photos library ’s People app , while giving nothing forth to Apple — or offer a cakehole for others to snoop .

That ’s a wad of terms to unpack , however!HomeKit Secure Videois Apple ’s iCloud - base home security camera repositing and monitoring organization . Apple does n’t sell photographic camera , but this system workswith about 10 cameras across several manufacturing business . ( I switched my exist Logitech Circle from Logitech ’s system of rules to Apple a few month ago . ) It requires a 200 GB or 2 TB iCloud storage subscription and a twist that works as a HomeKit hub : an iPad ( always connected ) , an Apple TV , or a HomePod .

Like Apple ’s general approach for privacy , all information that enters or leave your web is encrypted with key storedonlyon your equipment . The HomeKit hub mediates this encryption , so you do n’t ever have to deal with it . You access video from the Home app in macOS , iOS , and iPadOS , and can view the camera on an Apple TV .

mac911 homekit name match

Clips in which someone is recognized appear with their name, as well as optional notifications. (Name blurred for privacy.)

For facial recognition , Apple does n’t upload data from your electronic connection to its servers . alternatively , it relies on faces you ’ve already identified in the Photos app . That data is synced in a clever direction among all your devices via iCloud , but always encrypted so that Apple ca n’t access it even if it wanted to . ( This is the same method , more or less , used for end - to - oddment cipher syncing of iCloud Keychain items , iMessages , and a few other categories of personal data . )

Clips in which someone is recognize appear with their name , as well as optional notification . ( Name blurred for seclusion . )

you may configure Face Recognition to key out household extremity , among other alternative .

mac911 homekit face rec config

You can configure Face Recognition to identify household members, among other options.

home plate for macOS lags in feature ( even in Big Sur ) , so you need a gimmick bunk iOS 14 or iPadOS 14 to enable and configure facial credit , and a Photos subroutine library that ’s connected to the same iCloud account used on your iPhone or iPad .

Here ’s how to utilize it :

You then have an array of choices :

mac911 homekit face add

Unrecognized faces appear and can be labeled.

Unrecognized faces appear and can be labeled .

At no metre do your match or actions forget your computer to provide Apple with icon detail , facial matches , or behavioral data , base on their policies and encryption technique .

Ask Mac 911

We ’ve compiled a list of the questions we get enquire most frequently along with answers and links to column : read our super FAQto see if your question is comprehend . If not , we ’re always looking for new problem to puzzle out ! Email yours tomac911@macworld.comincluding silver screen captures as appropriate , and whether you require your full name used . Not every question will be answered , we do n’t respond to email , and we can not provide unmediated troubleshooting advice .