Do you want to control your Blink Camera using an iPhone or Siri voice commands? You came to the right place. As Blink Camera is not directly compatible with Apple HomeKit, you can use apps like IFTTT, SmartThings, and HOOBS to complete the integration. This article demonstrates all these techniques in detail.
Steps to Add Blink Camera with HomeKit Via IFTTT
If This Then That (IFTTT) allows you to set up custom interactions between devices. With IFTTT, you can establish basic Blink and HomeKit integration.
Setting Up IFTTT with Blink and HomeKit
1. Download IFTTT: Install the IFTTT app from the App Store and log in.
2. Search Blink: Go to the Explore bar, type Blink, and select it from the results.
3. Login & Verify: Tap Connect and log in to your Blink account. You may need to verify your account with a PIN, or OTP sent to your email.
4. Access Permission: Grant permission to allow IFTTT to access your Blink account.
5. Search HomeKit: Search for HomeKit within IFTTT and press Connect.
6. Set Triggers: Set up triggers and actions to control Blink cameras, like turning on motion detection or sending alerts to Apple devices.
7. Testing and Tweaking: After setting up, test the applets to ensure they work correctly, adjusting triggers and actions as needed to customize your setup.
Integrating Blink Camera with HomeKit via SmartThings and IFTTT
SmartThings, a Samsung-based home automation platform, allows you to add devices like Blink cameras and control them within the SmartThings app. By combining SmartThings with IFTTT, you can further integrate Blink with HomeKit.
1. Download SmartThings: Install the SmartThings app from the App Store and create an account or log in.
2. Search SmartThings: Open IFTTT, go to the Explore bar, and search for SmartThings.
3. Connect Account: Select it, press Connect, and log into your SmartThings account.
4. Search HomeKit: In IFTTT, search for HomeKit. Use the Scan function to add the device.
5. Verify Setup and Access: Once linked, you can access Blink cameras via the SmartThings app and control some functionalities through the Home app on Apple devices.
Note: While this method offers broader compatibility, it only allows access to Blink cameras through SmartThings or IFTTT. This means that you won’t see full camera integration in the Home app.
Using HOOBS for Full HomeKit Integration of Blink Camera
HOOBS (Homebridge Out of the Box) is an advanced, user-friendly solution to bridge Blink cameras with HomeKit, giving you direct access to the Home app.
1. Download the HOOBS App: Get the HOOBS app on a PC from the official website. Open the app and log in to your account. If you’re a new user, create an account and then log in.
2. Navigate to Plugins: Once in the HOOBS Dashboard, locate and select the Plugins tab to access the available plugins.
3. Search for the Blink Plugin: In the Plugins section, use the search bar to find the Blink plugin specifically designed for HOOBS.
4. Install the Plugin to Add Blink to HomeKit: Select the Blink plugin and click Install to add it to HOOBS. Once installed, go to the Blink plugin settings and choose Configure.
5. Enter Configuration Details: Fill in the necessary information in the relevant fields.
- Blink Account Information: Enter your Blink login credentials, including your email and password.
- Optional Settings: You may set preferences like log level, enable/disable motion alerts, and other specific Blink configurations.
6. Save the Configuration: After entering all necessary details, save the configuration settings and restart the HOOBS device to apply the changes.
7. Access the Home App: On your iPhone or iPad, open the Home app and tap the + icon.
8. Add Accessory: Select Add Accessory to proceed and scan the QR code on the HOOBS dashboard generated for the Blink.
9. Assign Device Name and Location: Follow the prompts in the Home app to assign custom names to each Blink camera and specify their locations (e.g., Living Room, Backyard).
10. Press Done: Complete the setup by pressing Done. Your Blink cameras are now connected to Apple HomeKit, allowing you to monitor and control them from your iPhone, iPad, or other Apple devices.
FAQ
Once the camera is added to HomeKit, you can control it using Siri voice commands, such as “Hey Siri, show me the front door camera.”
