Eufy HomeKit Doorbell Seems Closer With WiFi Chime Added to App [U]
Update:
A Eufy WiFi Chime has now been listed on Amazon.com as part of a package that includes a Eufy battery-powered doorbell, priced at US$149.99, with availability between October 1st – 9th. In the bullet points for the listing, it states that “The doorbell and Wi-Fi chime form a closed, low-power wireless connection allowing for 120 days of flawless front door coverage from a single charge”. However, at this time, there is, understandably, no mention of HomeKit compatibility, given that it has yet to be officially announced. Additionally, the doorbell that comes as part of the bundle is only capable of 1080p resolution, whilst the current battery-powered video doorbell by Eufy, is capable of 2K video recording.
Earlier this summer, the discovery of a forthcoming doorbell chime from Eufy showed up on the FCCID.IO website, which also came complete with a HomeKit code (albeit a dummy version). This was immediately seen as a sign that rather than the Eufy doorbells getting HomeKit themselves via a firmware update, the process of getting them exposed to HomeKit would be via a separate device, in this case, the aforementioned Doorbell Chime. This would seemingly work in a similar way to how the company’s EufyCam 2 and 2C cameras work with HomeKit, via the Eufy Basestation 2, which is itself the HomeKit device in this instance.
Still, despite this discovery, it wasn’t at all clear whether this WiFi chime would be designed to work with the current wired or battery-powered versions of the current Eufy Doorbells, or whether it would end up only working with a forthcoming newer model. In fact, the company already have a ‘Battery Doorbell Slim’ listed within their app, taking the tally of video doorbells to three – so far.
In contrast to this, Reddit user u/berniemike3 today discovered within the Help section of the Eufy Security app, instructions on how to connect the battery-powered doorbell to the new WiFi Chime, which would naturally lead one to conclude that at least one video doorbell model. In addition, in the setup process for the WiFi chime, one of the diagrams shows what, on one side, is an SD card Slot, as confirmed by a recently released video tutorial showing the installation. This is likely to be used as part of a separate base station for the doorbell, with the SD card used for recordings.
The Help section for the wired doorbell makes no mention of the WiFi chime, as the wired version comes with a different Chime to the forthcoming WiFi model. Eufy has also already previously stated the wired version of the video doorbell wouldn’t be getting HomeKit compatibility, although we’ve already seen companies make a big u-turn on things like this just recently, with LG backtracking on their previous ‘backtrack’ with regards to HomeKit and their 2018 model TVs, so things could change at any point.
Regardless of all of this, with still only two HomeKit compatible video doorbells on the market, and the Netatmo still waiting in the wings (although not for much longer) more choice is well overdue.
I’m a bit confused. Does this mean I could get this HomeKit doorbell without needing wired installation or a traditional chime?
I don’t have the possibility of wired doorbell at my property and there’s no chime either which has seemed to be a prerequisite for most on the market.
Eufy offer both a wired and wireless doorbell (although the wireless can also be made to be wired anyway). Neither have HomeKit support at present, but with the discovery of the wireless chime with a HomeKit code, it would seem that this is how Eufy plan to get at least one of the doorbells into HomeKit. Eufy have said that the wired doorbell won’t get HomeKit support, but that may not matter of it’s the chime is the device that goes into HomeKit. So if you want a wireless doorbell for HomeKit, this may be the solution, although until the chime comes out, we don’t yet know for sure.
The wireless doorbell is also compatible with the Homebase 2 (and the Homebase 2 does support Homekit, only not for the Doorbells). So I don’t see why the chime should provide Homekit for these doorbells. Eufy does not answers the questions from the community about Homekit support (see :https://communitysecurity.eufylife.com/t/homekit-doorbell-beta/138167)
I agree it would make sense that the base station 2 would be the logical choice for the doorbell and HomeKit functionality, but the chime that was spotted does have a HomeKit code, so it seems that’s what they have planned.
I really hope this has HomeKit. This is what I need as I don’t have a wired doorbell currently… I’m in the UK, though, so will keep checking to see what happens.
It would be incredibly irritating if this is the only way they planned to support HomeKit doorbells given that I contacted Eufy before purchasing my 2K wireless doorbell (about 5 months ago) and was told that HomeKit would be supported on that device. Hopefully this isn’t the 3rd doorbell to let me down (Skybell and Ring being the previous offenders)
Donno if the dates is correct in this thread but I got my Eufy 2c with Homebase 2 and the 2K HD doorbell. Everything shows up in Homekit, but requires to connect through the base station. So you can’t use the doorbell solo.
All show up in Home app without touching Eufy security app. Really like the possibility through to be able to have face recognition based on your photo library and also be able to set very flexible areas for motion detection. Love it! 🙂
Hi, did you actually get the doorbell in HomeKit too? If so, how? I’ve got the same – 2C, basestation 2 and doorbell (battery powered model).
I just added the doorbell camera to the Homebase and then added the Homebase to HomeKit.
What I experience now is that it seems like HomeKit really drains the doorbell battery. From 80 to 40 % in 24 hours 🙁
When I check “About Device” the model name is Doorbell T8210 and firmware 2.2.1.3
That’s the same model I have here, but you have the older firmware.
Are you able to share some screenshots of this working on Eufy/Home app?
Don’t work anymore since latest update. 🙁
Hi. So what’s the verdict? Battery 2K doorbell w/ basestation? There are really not many options out there. I also assume that the Basestation would also be needed once they offer Home Secure Video. Do you know if there is a way to connect the WIRED doorbell (AC wired) to the basestation? I bought one thinking it would work like the battery one.
I have a wireless in the box waiting at my in-laws, but I thought I read it would still take a wired connection. If you can get a power source to these it would nix the battery drain issue (which is why theyre withholding support)