How to use Face Recognition with HomeKit Secure Video cameras

If you are already living that iOS 14 life and have a security camera with HomeKit Secure Video support in your home, then you're missing out if you don't know how to use Face Recognition with your HomeKit accessories. The latest feature delivers smart notifications that include a person's name when they step in front of your camera's view, using just your existing Photo Library to make it all happen. If that wasn't enough, the HomePod can also get in on the action by announcing the arrival. Here's how to use Face Recognition with HomeKit.

How to enable Face Recognition in the Home app on iOS 14 and iPadOS 14

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap on the House icon.

3. Tap Home Settings.

   Source: iMore

4. Tap on Cameras & Doorbells.
5. Tap Face Recognition.

6. Toggle Face Recognition to the on position with a tap.

   • Options for sharing your face library with others in the home are available by tapping on your Name under Libraries.

   Source: iMore

How to disable Face Recognition in the Home app on iOS 14 and iPadOS 14

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap on the House icon.

3. Tap Home Settings.

   Source: iMore

4. Tap on Cameras & Doorbells.
5. Tap Face Recognition.

6. Tap the toggle for Face Recognition.

   Source: iMore

7. Tap Turn Off.

   • This will remove all recognized faces from the Home. If enabled again, you may need to re-assign faces that the Home app was unable to determine.

   Source: iMore

How to manage recognized faces in the Home app on iOS 14 and iPadOS 14

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap on the House icon.

3. Tap Home Settings.

   Source: iMore

4. Tap on Cameras & Doorbells.
5. Tap Face Recognition.

6. Tap on the Name of the person you wish to manage.

   Source: iMore

7. Tap on the person's Name to provide a new name.

8. Tap Hide Notifications to prevent the Home app from sending activity notifications when this person is within your camera's view.

9. Tap Remove Face to remove the face from the list of recognized faces.

   Source: iMore

How to manage unknown faces in the Home app on iOS 14 and iPadOS 14

1. Launch the Home app.
2. Tap on the House icon.

3. Tap Home Settings.

   Source: iMore

4. Tap on Cameras & Doorbells.
5. Tap Face Recognition.

6. Tap on an entry that is listed as Add Name.

   Source: iMore

7. Tap Add Name.

   • Tap Remove Face if the thumbnail image is someone that you do not wish to recognize.
8. Type in the Name of the person you wish to assign the face to.

9. Tap Done to confirm the face.

   Source: iMore

Now that you have Face Recognition enabled, faces that pass in front of your security camera with HomeKit Secure Video support will be analyzed automatically by HomeKit. HomeKit Notifications from the Home app will now include a person's name along with a thumbnail if it is recognized. HomeKit utilizes your existing Faces and People from the Photos app, which means that there are no extra steps required.

Questions?

Have any questions about how to use face recognition with HomeKit on your HomeKit Secure Video-enabled camera? Want to share your experience with the latest and greatest feature? Let us know in the comments below!