Apple’s upcoming smart display could double up as a HomeView security camera. The best part? It’s said to use the same built-in camera that handles FaceTime.
Text found in HomeView’s software code describes a security camera mode with features like motion detection, live streaming and recording.
The HomeView security camera would offer four modes
HomeView is designed to serve as a central hub for your smart home security cameras. It can display live video feeds from compatible cameras, letting you check what’s happening around your home from its screen. But Apple’s upcoming smart display might do more than simply watch other cameras.
A prolific Apple tinkerer who goes by the name pdfu found and shared his findings in a post on Reddit as well as in a post on X. The text strings were found in the HomeView Software 27.2 settings localization.
The software — launched on October 30 — has a setup screen that reads “Your HomeView can be used as a security camera with HomeKit Secure Video.”
Apple HomeView could soon double as a HomeKit security camera.
The feature has concrete settings localization in HomeView Software 27.2, describing functionality and privacy protections.
Here are the exact localization strings:
Setup Page
Your HomeView can be used as a… pic.twitter.com/NsnknajWKd— pdfu (@itspdfu) October 31, 2026
The leaked code also lays out four modes. You can switch the security features off entirely, or choose to use motion detection only. You could also allow live viewing without recording, or enable both streaming and recording.
Those choices work depending on whether you’re home, away or asleep. And Face Recognition and Activity Zones can be managed in the Home app on your iPhone.
The tinkerer also found a configuration that declares 1080p video at 30 frames per second, which would be used with HomeKit Secure Video.
Privacy safeguards would keep the camera in check
A camera in your living room raises obvious questions, and it looks like Apple is ready for them. HomeView would show a green indicator whenever someone opens the live stream or recording starts.
Also, your household members would get a notification whenever the security settings change. And only household members can view the streams or recordings.
Another string in the code raises a wrinkle. HomeView could take photos to refresh the camera preview when someone opens the Home app on their device, accompanied by a green light.
Apple is yet to confirm anything
Apple hasn’t announced any of this, and the mode isn’t live yet. Nothing in the text confirms if it will come at launch or with a later update.
And we don’t know whether the camera features would be switched on by default.
So far, Apple has only announced HomeView showing feeds from other cameras, with the Home Collection including LG cameras that start arriving in December. For now, treat this as a promising maybe. HomeView starts shipping November 13, so answers aren’t far off.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
