Apple HomeView's built-in camera may gain recording and motion detection features

Apple’s new HomeView smart display may be able to act as a home security camera, according to references found in its software, The Verge reports. A Reddit user spotted the feature in the settings files of HomeView Software 27.2. Apple has not announced anything about it, and Digital Trends notes that the feature is not active in the current software.The HomeView is Apple’s recently unveiled smart home display. It already has a built-in camera for FaceTime calls and facial recognition. The camera is a 12MP unit that can recognise people on sight, which matters in a home shared by a whole family. The settings files suggest Apple could also use the same hardware for motion detection, live streaming and video recording through HomeKit Secure Video.Hidden code points to security camera modeAccording to a report by The Verge, Reddit user "pdfu" uncovered references within HomeView software version 27.2 that describe a dedicated security camera mode. The code strings mention motion detection, live streaming, video recording options, and several privacy-focused features. One setup screen reportedly states: "Your HomeView can be used as a security camera with HomeKit Secure Video." The discovery suggests that Apple may be planning to leverage the HomeView's built-in camera for home monitoring purposes, although the company has not officially announced such a feature.HomeView already includes a built-in cameraApple unveiled the HomeView smart display at its "Welcome Home" event in October 2026. The device features a 7-inch display and a 12-megapixel camera designed for FaceTime calls and facial recognition. The camera can recognise multiple users and personalise content based on who is standing in front of the device. The HomeView currently serves as a central smart home control hub, allowing users to manage connected devices, view feeds from security cameras and access Siri-powered smart home features.Privacy-focused features reportedly in developmentThe leaked code strings indicate that Apple is building several privacy protections into the potential security camera mode. According to the report, video feeds would only be viewable by members of the household, while the device would display a visual indicator and play a sound whenever someone starts watching the camera feed or when recording begins. Household members would also reportedly receive notifications whenever security camera settings are changed. The software code further points to configurable settings that would allow users to determine what the camera should detect, stream or record depending on whether they are at home, away or asleep.Apple yet to confirm featureWhile the code references strongly hint at upcoming functionality, Apple has not publicly confirmed plans to turn HomeView into a security camera. The Verge noted that the company may still be refining privacy safeguards before rolling out such a feature, given Apple's longstanding emphasis on user privacy and security. If introduced, the feature would further expand HomeView's role within Apple's growing smart home ecosystem and could make the device a more direct competitor to smart displays from rivals that already offer integrated home monitoring capabilities.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.