This article explains how eero, a HomeKit-enabled router, provides a secure way to use connected devices in a home network. It discusses the potential risks of adding devices to a network and how eero addresses them by firewalling HomeKit-enabled accessories to prevent communication with unauthorized services or devices on the internet. The article also provides instructions on how to activate HomeKit Secure Router via the eero app, add a device, and disable HomeKit Secure Router.
What is HomeKit?
HomeKit or Apple Home is a smart home platform that allows you to control your smart home devices via your Apple products. Many of the connected devices we have in our homes, like light bulbs, thermostats, plugs, and door locks, only need access to a limited set of internet services in order to function. However, once you add a device to your home network, the device can access any other device in your home, as well as any website or service on the internet, without your permission or knowledge. With unrestricted access, a single device flaw puts your entire home at risk—that changes with eero as a HomeKit-enabled router.
How is HomeKit different from HomeKit Secure Router?
HomeKit is a smart home ecosystem that allows you to control your HomeKit and Matter accessories via your iPhone, iPad, etc. HomeKit Secure Router is a security feature that adds more protection to your HomeKit accessories by controlling which services and devices they communicate with on your home Wi-Fi network and over the internet.
Note: HomeKit and HomeKit accessories can still be used on any eero network regardless if a HomeKit Secure Router is present on the network.
How can I use it with my eero’s?
When HomeKit Secure Router is enabled, eero will firewall each of your supported HomeKit-enabled accessories, preventing them from communicating with other WiFi devices connected to your home network, and from unauthorized services on the internet. HomeKit accessories are automatically given permissions based only on what they need:
- Restrict to Home: Most secure. Your device can interact only with HomeKit through your Apple devices. The device won't connect to the Internet or any local devices so any third-party services, like firmware updates, might be blocked.
- Automatic: Default security. The router allows the accessory to connect to an automatically updated list of manufacturer approved Internet services and local devices.
- No Restriction: Least secure. This setting bypasses the secure router and allows your device to interact with any device in your network or Internet- based service.
If you would like to add your eeros to HomeKit you must have the following:
- eero App 3.1.0 or later
- An eero that supports HomeKit Secure Router. The following eeros support HomeKit:
- eero (Gen 1)
- eero Pro
- eero (Gen 2)
- eero 6
- eero Pro 6
- Your network must be in NAT mode. This feature will not work if your network is in Bridge Mode
- Your phone must be connected to your eero network
- Your iPhone/iPad is updated to iOS 14+
- You have a Home Hub in your Home that is also running iOS 13.2+. (You may use a Home Pod running iOS 13.2 or later, and HomeKit accessories, an Apple TV 4K, an Apple TV HD, or an iPad as your Home Hub.
- Once you have verified that you have one of the above please follow the instructions below to access HomeKit via your eero App
How to Activate HomeKit Secure Router
- Open the eero app and tap Settings at the bottom of the screen
- Tap Apple HomeKit
- Tap Set up HomeKit at the bottom of the screen
- Read through the text on the page then tap Setup HomeKit
- You will get a pop up letting you know "eero" Would Like to Access Your Home Data. If you would like to proceed tap Allow
How to access HomeKit Secure Router once it has been Activated
-
eero App:
- Open the eero app and tap Settings at the bottom of the screen
- Tap Apple HomeKit
- From this screen you may view the eeros setup with HomeKit
-
iOS Home app:
-
Tap the More button
, then select Home Settings.
- If you have multiple homes, choose the home where you put your router.
-
Scroll down and tap Wi-Fi Network & Routers. Then tap an accessory to change the level of connection security.
- Restrict to Home: Most secure. Your accessory can interact only with HomeKit through your Apple devices. The accessory won't connect to the internet or any local devices so any third-party services, like firmware updates, might be blocked.
- Automatic: Default security. Your accessory can communicate with HomeKit and connections recommended by its manufacturer.
- No Restriction: Least secure. This setting bypasses the secure router and allows your accessory to interact with any device in your network or internet-based service.
-
Tap the More button
How to Add a Device
- Open the eero app and tap the the blue + in the top right of the screen
- Tap Add a Device
- Tap HomeKit Accessory
- Choose which Home you would like the device added to
- Follow the onscreen HomeKit instructions
How to Disable HomeKit Secure Router
- Open the eero app and tap Settings at the bottom of the screen
- Tap Apple HomeKit
- Tap Disable HomeKit at the bottom of the page
- You will get a pop up letting you know "You're about to disable HomeKit This is permanent and Cannot be undone".
- Tap Disable
- The next screen will notify you HomeKit has been disabled
- Tap Okay to exit