Tech: Homekit Weekly: Check In On The Abode Alarm System With Apple Home...

Since early 2020, I’ve used abode as my primary security system and have done so across two seapraye homes. It is now 2026, and in the world of smart home tech, six years is usually an eternity. I continue to get emails asking if I am still using it, or if I’ve jumped ship to some thing. I wanted to take an opportunity to update my review for 2026, discuss how the hardware has held up, and frankly, warn you about which hub you should buy for HomeKit.

Upgrade your home security with wireless cameras that includes HomeKit compatibility.

HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything to do with Apple’s smart home framework.

Before we get into why I still love this abode for my house, I have to issue a warning Abode now sells a few different starter kits, and they are not created equal in terms of smart home compatibility. There is a budget-friendly security kit that often goes on sale for under $100. Do not buy this if you use HomeKit/Apple Home

To get native Apple Home integration, you must stick with the iota All-in-One or the abode smart security gateway. These are the only two that act as HomeKit bridges. If you buy the low-cost hub, you will be stuck in their app, isolated from the rest of your Apple Home environment. With that disclaimer out of the way, let’s talk about why the right hub is still the best foundation for a HomeKit security setup.

Abode has done a nice job maintaining its HomeKit integration over the years. In fact, it’s still the primary reason I recommend it over other products, such as Ring or SimpliSafe. It’s not only about using HomeKit to change the alarm status to “Away” or “Night.” The primary reason I love it is that it exposes the door sensors, window sensors, and motion sensors to Apple Home.

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You might not be the type to buy a dozen standalone Eve Door & Window sensors for automation purposes, but if they’re already in HomeKit/Apple Home because of your security system, well, that’s another story. This is the “double duty” philosophy that I think every smart home should follow.

HomeKit door sensors, in my opinion, are one of the most underrated sensor categories for unlocking some fun and beneficial automations. However, the “wife acceptance factor” on big, blocky white plastic sensors stuck to a nice wooden door is usually pretty low. This is where I really love abode’s slim strip sensor as well as its re

Source: 9to5Mac