Amazon adds HomeKit support to its Eero routers

Amazon's Eero routers are gaining support for Apple's HomeKit today, according to a report by The Verge. Once configured users will be able to enjoy more tightly integrated HomeKit features with both their router and any devices connected to the internet.

Setting up your Eero's HomeKit support is pretty simple. Just open the Eero app on your iPhone and then head to the "Discover" tab. That's where you'll find the instructions needed to get up and running and once you do, your router will appear in the Home app on iPhones, iPads, and Macs. If you already have HomeKit accessories in the Home app, they should work just fine. Apple recommends an additional step for extra security.

For even more security, remove and reset your Wi-Fi accessories then add them back to the Home app. This creates a unique passkey known only to the router and each accessory.

Setting all of this up might take a few extra minutes of your day, but it's worth it if you're looking for better control over which smart home devices have access to the wider internet. There are three levels of access that you can grant, depending on your preference and the requirements of the device in question.

HomeKit allows for three levels of security:

• Restrict to Home: devices "can interact only with HomeKit through your Apple devices," with no access to the internet at all (meaning that some things, like firmware updates, won't work)
• Automatic: the default option, which allows limited internet access to HomeKit and "connections recommended by its manufacturer"
• No Restriction: devices can "interact with any device in your network or Internet-based service"

Eero is one of the first routers to get in on the HomeKit act, although hopefully, tons more will jump in, too. We'll let you know as soon as we find out more.