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HomeKit Secure Video recording starts with a compatible camera, an Apple home hub and iCloud+. The subscription can cost as little as $0.99 a month for one recording camera. If you already pay for a sufficient iCloud+ plan, you may not need another Apple subscription at all.
The less obvious cost is the equipment you do not already own. Before choosing a camera, count your existing recording cameras, check your current iCloud+ tier and confirm that you have a suitable hub that will stay at home.
US prices and primary-source requirements checked October 21, 2026. This is a research-based buying guide, not a hands-on camera test.
Which iCloud+ plan do you need?
These are the standard US iCloud+ prices listed by Apple. The annual figures below are our calculation of 12 monthly payments, not an annual billing offer. Applicable tax is extra. Swipe the table sideways on a phone if needed.
| iCloud+ tier | US monthly price | Recording cameras | 12 monthly payments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50GB | $0.99 | 1 | $11.88 |
| 200GB | $2.99 | Up to 5 | $35.88 |
| 2TB | $9.99 | Unlimited | $119.88 |
| 6TB | $29.99 | Unlimited | $359.88 |
| 12TB | $59.99 | Unlimited | $719.88 |
The camera allowance is a recording limit, not a measurement of how much space the video will consume. Apple says Secure Video recordings do not count against your iCloud storage. Buying a larger plan solely to make room for more gigabytes of camera footage therefore solves the wrong problem.
Compare the extra cost, not just the full subscription price
Our buying analysis separates a new expense from a subscription you already keep for photos and backups. Assuming today’s monthly prices stay unchanged:
- You already have 200GB and want three recording cameras: the camera allowance fits. The incremental Apple recording-subscription cost is $0, although cameras and missing hardware still cost money.
- You have 50GB and want two cameras recording: moving to 200GB adds $2 a month, or $24 over 12 payments.
- You have five cameras on 200GB and want a sixth recording in Home: the standard recording allowance points to 2TB, adding $7 a month, or $84 over 12 payments.
- You start without iCloud+: budget the full applicable plan cost. Do not describe this setup as subscription-free.
That sixth-camera step is worth planning before buying a multipack. Ask whether every position needs cloud event history, or whether one location is better served by a separate local-recording setup. A bigger plan can still be worthwhile for household backups, but do not attribute all of that value to the camera purchase.
The equipment checklist
- A camera explicitly supporting HomeKit Secure Video. Apple Home compatibility alone does not establish recording support. Check the exact model, regional version and current manufacturer documentation.
- A suitable Apple home hub. Apple’s setup guide covers HomePod, HomePod mini and Apple TV. Check your existing device’s supported software before buying another one; a camera manufacturer’s hub is not a substitute for Apple’s home-hub role.
- An iPhone or iPad for camera setup. Apple also supports viewing and sharing recordings on a Mac.
- Power and a working home network. Include the camera’s power supply, any wiring or installation, and reliable connectivity where it will be mounted. The home hub needs to remain powered and connected at home.
Sources: Apple’s distinction between streaming cameras and Secure Video cameras, home-hub setup and Secure Video setup. Apple also calls for two-factor authentication and iCloud Keychain. Configure the household account correctly rather than using a second subscription to troubleshoot a setup problem.
We would calculate first-year spending as the camera and installation cost, plus any missing hub, plus only the additional subscription cost the purchase creates. Check this camera’s requirements rather than copying the accessories list from a smart-lock setup.
Ten-day event history is not a continuous recorder
HomeKit Secure Video keeps a rolling ten-day history of recorded activity. Apple’s security documentation describes motion-triggered footage sent to the home hub for analysis, followed by encrypted upload of selected clips. Treat it as event recording, not a guarantee that every minute between events is available.
For a delivery dispute, a short event clip may answer the question. If you need to rewind through a long quiet period or reconstruct an event that never triggered detection, choose a documented continuous-recording route as well. Save important clips before the rolling history expires, and check the saved file rather than assuming it remains in the timeline forever.
A camera with another storage route gives you options
LOCAL-STORAGE OPTION
Aqara Camera G100
A useful example if you want HomeKit Secure Video support and a separate local recording option. Check the listing’s exact model and bundle contents.
- Indoor/outdoor placement
- HomeKit Secure Video support
- microSD card sold separately
Aqara’s G100 product information identifies HomeKit Secure Video support and continuous local recording with a separately purchased microSD card up to 512GB. That local route is a separate buying consideration from Apple’s event history; do not assume the card timeline appears in the Home app.
The affiliate button opens an Amazon search for Aqara G100, not a guaranteed single-model listing. Confirm the exact camera, seller and included accessories before checkout. We are not claiming that the G100 supports 4K recording in Apple Home.
If continuous footage is your priority, compare storage workflows before image-resolution marketing. Our microSD, hub and NVR storage guide explains the broader trade-offs.
Two current features need a separate compatibility check
4K: Apple’s current iOS 27 page says supported HomeKit Secure Video cameras can stream and record in 4K. That is platform support, not proof that every 4K camera or existing HomeKit camera now records at that resolution. Before paying extra, obtain explicit support for the exact camera, firmware and Apple setup. We have not verified a model-specific 4K combination for this guide.
AI descriptions and search: Apple’s current Home-camera AI guide lists additional requirements, including an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone owned by the home owner, Apple Intelligence enabled in Home, a supported hub on current software and a 2TB iCloud+ plan. Ordinary recording on a smaller tier should not be confused with eligibility for these optional features.
Do not upgrade just because the feature sounds useful. First confirm that it works with your household’s devices and region, then decide whether it earns the extra monthly cost. Unlimited recording-camera support should not be read as a promise of unlimited AI processing.
Our recommendation
For an Apple household with a suitable hub and enough iCloud+ camera allowance, start with one explicitly compatible camera and verify the recording workflow before expanding. For a household starting from scratch, compare the complete hardware and subscription bill with a local-storage alternative.
After setup, confirm that a real event appears in recorded history, not just in the live view. Check access from outside the house and review which household members can see recordings. A working live picture alone does not prove that the recording configuration is finished.
Frequently asked questions
Is HomeKit Secure Video free if I already have iCloud+?
There is no separate Apple recording add-on to buy if your existing plan already covers the number of recording cameras you need. The subscription itself is still paid, and a compatible camera and suitable hub are required.
Which plan should I choose for six cameras?
For the standard recording allowance, 2TB is the lowest listed tier above the five-camera limit. Check optional AI-feature eligibility separately rather than assuming every feature shares that unlimited allowance.
Does the footage fill up my iCloud storage?
Apple says Secure Video recordings do not consume the storage used by your photos, files and backups. Choose the plan for its camera allowance and your other storage needs, not an estimate of camera-video gigabytes.
Can I use only my iPhone instead of a home hub?
For the Secure Video recording setup described here, plan on the supported home hub Apple requires. Your phone handles setup and viewing; it should not be budgeted as the always-at-home recording hub.
Will paying for 2TB make any camera record in 4K?
No. A subscription cannot add missing camera support or higher-resolution hardware. Apple advertises 4K on supported Secure Video cameras; verify the exact model and software combination before purchase.
How we select
We select equipment and cost examples that answer a concrete purchase question: what must be bought, what can be reused and which advertised feature needs separate verification. This guide uses Apple’s current pricing, setup, security and feature documentation, plus Aqara’s published G100 information.
The subscription scenarios are our calculations, not vendor quotes or measured savings. We checked the affiliate redirect and labeled its search-result destination. We have not performed hands-on recording, image-quality or reliability tests, and do not infer model compatibility from a platform announcement.