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Help! My 2.4G HomeKit security cameras go offline when HomePod switches to 5G to match my iPhone.

I want to use Apple HomeKit for outdoor security cameras, but I've run into a problem I can't solve. It seems that HomeKit compatible cameras utilize 2.4 gHz WiFi, but since I connect my iPhone to 5gHz (for the higher speeds), my HomePod will always match my phone's settings. When this happens, the Logitech Circle View camera I have goes offline. This makes for a very unreliable security system. How can I solve this? Are there 5G cameras that are HomeKit video compatible? Do I just have to keep my devices on 2.4g? Do I abandon HomeKit and pay for a different service? Can I have my cake and eat it too?

HomePod mini

Posted on Apr 29, 2024 11:19 AM

Reply
3 replies

Apr 29, 2024 11:36 AM in response to MacCurios

HomePod 2nd gen and HomePod mini both support IEEE 802.11n Wi-Fi, which supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, though not 6 GHz. (review with details)


HomePod (or any other Wi-Fi client) doesn’t switch Wi-Fi bands when your Wi-Fi client (iPhone or otherwise) switches bands, the Wi-Fi router or Wi-Fi access point (AP) passes the traffic between your iPhone and your HomePod or HomePod mini. Same holds for the cameras, assuming they’re Wi-Fi connected and not wired. The network traffic goes from client to router (or AP) and back to the other client, independent of which band each client is using.


Which is a lot of words to indicate that there’s probably something else going on here, with your network or your router or AP, or there’s Wi-Fi coverage or interference or some other similar problem happening here.


The Logitech Circle View camera supports 2.4 Ghz and not 5 Ghz.


Check your Wi-Fi router or AP firmware and configuration , and update that as necessary. And if you have more than one IP network router active here, you’ll likely want or need to switch to either mesh or a AP configuration as might be supported by your particular equipment.


You’ll also want to check for interference, though that will require a Mac or PC or other equipment. An iPhone and a HomePod unfortunately can’t scan and can’t report on your network configuration.


For assistance with Logitech gear, check with Logitech support.

Apr 29, 2024 12:12 PM in response to MrHoffman

I guess I should clarify. When I say my HomePods switch to match my iPhone's network, what I mean is that when I open the Home app on my iPhone to control my HomePods I get a notification telling me that they're not on the same network. So, I have to either connect my iPhone to 2.4 or my HomePod to 5g. I prefer having my phone on 5G for speed, so I end up switching the HomePod. And since my camera doesn't function on 5, it goes offline.

Apr 29, 2024 12:32 PM in response to MacCurios

MacCurios wrote:

I guess I should clarify. When I say my HomePods switch to match my iPhone's network, what I mean is that when I open the Home app on my iPhone to control my HomePods I get a notification telling me that they're not on the same network. So, I have to either connect my iPhone to 2.4 or my HomePod to 5g. I prefer having my phone on 5G for speed, so I end up switching the HomePod. And since my camera doesn't function on 5, it goes offline.


The HomePods are seemingly telling you that your network is misconfigured. Not that they're switching from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz Wi-Fi bands. And opening the Home app does not cause a HomePod to switch from 2.4 GHz to 5 GHz.


Your Wi-Fi is likely incorrectly configured, or your Wi-Fi router itself has issues, or maybe interference.


See my reply above.


If you have more than one IP router or more than one Wi-Fi router here (and each not configured as a mesh or as an access point), you'll need to fix that. If you have more than one, please post some details of the configuration.


Check the Wi-Fi router firmware. Update the Wi-Fi router firmware to current, if not already.


More generally, you're going to need to describe your wired and Wi-Fi network setup in rather more detail.


Check with Logitech too, as they may well have some weird limit in their gear or their apps.


PS: to avoid terminology confusion, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and (in development) 6G are cellular technologies (and decidedly influenced by cellular marketeering), while 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz are the three Wi-Fi bands most widely available. Your HomePods are using Wi-Fi 4 technology, if you want to use terminology akin to the cellular technology.


Help! My 2.4G HomeKit security cameras go offline when HomePod switches to 5G to match my iPhone.

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