Protect your Smart Home with HomeKit Secure Router & Velop Mesh - In Depth Review & Walkthrough

Back at WWDC 2019, Apple announced HomeKit would get a feature that promises to improve security on its smart home platform via Wi-Fi routers. This feature called HomeKit Secure Router works by applying firewall rules to HomeKit accessories connected via Wi-Fi or the routers ethernet ports.
During the announcement Apple said that several Router brands would roll out HomeKit Secure Router support, including Linksys and Eero. However, it was not until 2020 that we saw major adoption of this feature. As of September 2020, HomeKit Secure Router support is available for the Velop Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi.
So when support arrived, Linksys sent me over the Velop Intelligent Mesh Wi-Fi System, 3-Pack, AC6600. I have been using the setup for a few months now in my HomeKit setup in my Home. In this review/walkthrough, I want to share the setup process and explain what HomeKit-enabled routers offer. Along with my thoughts on what this feature could offer in the future.
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[@HomeKitAuthority]

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[@patrickpaganini]

It's really sensible to ask new people to subscribe before they have watched anything.

[@ShaneCreates]

Great video showing the capabilities and your experience with HomeKit secure networking. Thanks!

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Thanks Shane!

[@halifaxguy]

The migrating to a new wifi network issues is one of the largest pain points of smart homes. I have over 200 smart devices in my hone from over 20 manufacturers… to avoid the struggle of migrating networks in cases of changing ISPs or upgrading wifi routers, I have taken advantage of the ability in almost every router to rename your network. Simply Name your network(SSID) the same as the old network and use the same password. This has allowed me to seamlessly change ISP’s 6 times in the past 10 years and upgrade through several routers.

[@hughfr4nc15]

Quick Tip: I've been using this routers for around a year and I was getting some issues with random "Not Responding" accessories for no apparent reason... I was able to get it sorted and this were the configs that seemed to contribute the most for it. - Uncheck Filter Ident (Port 113) in Security Settings - Uncheck Filter Multicast in Security Settings - Fixed IP's for every Accessory or Hub - Single SSID for both 2.4 Ghz and 5 Ghz Hope this helps someone.

[@realrasher]

Are these settings in the Apple home app, the Linksys app or some other app? I could not find them. Thanks!

[@hughfr4nc15]

@@realrasher access the router page via browser. You’ll have settings that are not in the App.

[@aviatorbimmer]

@@hughfr4nc15 2 questions I need help with while deciding to purchase this or not. 1. Can one create a DDNS with this router? 2. Can one set up a VPN with this router? Both of these are features my current Asus router has and I use. I need to make sure the Velop has them both.

[@hughfr4nc15]

@@aviatorbimmer Hello. I’ve changed my ISP and had to change the routers to bridge mode because the new ISP router does not have a bridge port itself and because of that most of the features are not visible but from what I remember you had the possibility of configuring both.

[@markrasch]

Excellent video that summarizes router integration with HomeKit. I’m currently running Eero 6 pro with 3 units. Works extremely well, but the Linksys Velop just went on sale at Best Buy so I am making the switch and returning the Eero. Both are excellent choices but I believe the Linksys has an advantage. What surprised me was the limited number of manufacturers who integrate with Apple HomeKit. There are essentially only two. Eero and Linksys. There are currently zero systems with wifi 6e that integrate. The best available only have wifi 6 and are tri band so that’s the route I’ve chosen. I think HomeKit integration is important. What’s also interesting is the massive abundance of Alexa and Google Nest smart devices but the limited amount of Apple HomeKit devices. There is a major disparity there, but I have an Apple ecosystem with many Apple devices so that’s the direction I am going in. Thanks for the great video post. Very informative and well presented. Cheers Mate! 👍🏻

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Thanks for watching. I have just made the switch the other way

[@markrasch]

@@HomeKitAuthority perhaps I should stick with Eero. It works extremely well. Why are you switching?

[@HomeKitAuthority]

The velops I have are Wi-Fi 5 and the eero are Wi-Fi 6 and support more devices

[@jdb6284]

about 8 months after the homekit router announcement it was time to upgrade my router; I looked at linksys velops and hoped for the update later down the line. To be honest, everyone brags on the great connectivity of these things but for me it was horrible. I'll admit my house in an EU 70's house, so it's probably a bunker and a nightmare for wireless. Still, my old setup outshines this mesh network by far even after fiddeling with them for over a week and growing more frustrated every day. Disappointed with the performance i returned it and pulled the trigger on an asus router with wifi 6 added to my old setup (please apple airports, never die! you're amazing!). Been extremely happy with that one but a little sad there's no homekit router support.

[@jonathonbrouse8302]

really love the feature you pointed out restricting outside access for unsupported devices.

[@jam_1138]

The Velop was my first mesh system, it is absolutely awful and I couldn’t wait to get rid. Eero is so much better than the constant drop outs on Velop.

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Not used eero myself, but I can’t say I have experienced the same as you with the Velop

[@jam_1138]

@@HomeKitAuthority It was fine at first but after a while was experiencing poor dropout and the handoff with mobile devices was awful. When moving between rooms you’d have to disable WiFi on your device, then re-enable it when your in your chosen room, only then would it pick up the nearest node, with the strongest signal. I really hope you continue to get a better experience than I did.

[@johnhutchinson635]

I’m having the exact same problem at the moment, watched and read several reviews (not this channel) all positive so went with velop Wi-fi 6 as already have around 50 devices on Wi-fi but now when going between rooms network performance is shocking at best. I also found that the Wi-fi 6 mesh routers aren’t supported with HomeKit yet as they need to release new firmware 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@liftingafterdark3241]

Great video! I have the Velop and while it’s always performed well, it’s nice to finally have the HK support promised!

[@marciovianna2370]

Hi. Mi though is if Velop Linksys is stable my previous experience with Tp-Link.

[@liftingafterdark3241]

@@marciovianna2370 I find the Velop to be very stable!!! Given good placement!

[@gokseltarakci]

Nice video, good for your labor. I follow you from Turkey. Good to have you my friend

[@Amarok_38]

will this help my problem with apple homepod mini ? the problem i seem to have is a constant issue with siri not being able to connect to wifi, everytime i ask siri to do something she tells me " sorry there was a problem with the connection for more info check the home app" ....When you say "no response " is this what your refering too ?

[@ReasonQuest]

Thank you for this! Helps me make my decision to move away from my provider's WiFi.

[@jeffg360]

I hope Apple expands privacy rules requiring these companies disclose what data they collect and what they do with it. Looking at you Amazon and eero!

[@jaymacibe3731]

Thank you for the great review. I have been having too many WiFi issues with the ISP provided router. Thinking trying this one out.

[@rupamkonar]

Why to buy a wifi5 at this time when the wifi6 are similar in price?

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Wi-Fi 6 is overkill right now.

[@AhmadNazirAfiq]

All smart home devices doesn’t even use WiFi 6, why spend so much on a tech that might take years to fully utilize?

[@the0000alex0000]

@@HomeKitAuthority wifi 6 is definitely not overkill. unless your internet service provider sucks

[@the0000alex0000]

@@AhmadNazirAfiq you only use wifi for smart home devices? lol

[@HomeKitAuthority]

@@the0000alex0000 it is given the lack of Wi-Fi 6 devices that support on the market right now.

[@hungarianzozo]

Hello. Good primer. In my Velop iOS app, I don’t have the HomeKit integration option.

[@hjparma]

I’ve got the MX10 which is the wifi 6 version but they haven’t released an update for HomeKit yet. Quite frustrating since this is a newer and more expensive version!

[@HomeKitAuthority]

I am sure it will come in the future

[@Huntgolfride]

I was just about to ask why my new velop system had none of the homekit menu options. I agree.

[@Leorizing]

I was looking to get this router thanks diving into the features

[@sundager8735]

Great video and information as always 👍

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Thank you

[@dongutti4709]

What I didn’t get is that if these Access Points extend also the coverage of HomeKit? Do they work as a hub or something like that

[@mcblanc71]

I got Linksys mesh and why I didn’t see the Apple home integration on my menu ?

[@agentsmith64]

Question for you.. do you get notified but the Apple home app when the Velop or the wifi in general goes offline?(Not just when it comes back online)

[@ajisaputrars]

Thanks for the video. But I need your help to answer my question. In Linksys documentation about Homekit said “Your network must use one WiFi name for both radio bands (different WiFi names across 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz radios are NOT supported)”. But we know that many HomeKit accessories only support 2.4 Ghz. So my questions are: 1. How to connect a 2.4Ghz-only Homekit accessories to 2.4 Ghz band explicitly if you have the same name for both 2.4 Ghz and 5Ghz radio band? Does it connect automatically? 2. Based on your experience, is there any trouble connecting 2.4Ghz-only Homekit accessories to this Velop Mesh?

[@c5auto]

Hi, why to you switch from Linksys to Eero ? Thanks

[@kuruc71]

Hi' I'm trying to add my router to homekit by linksys app could not do anything

[@josephlemons]

Eero doesn’t support HomeKit anymore

[@georgiosrenieris4211]

Hi I keep getting this on my Home app not sure what this means or how to get rid of it. Router name is not the same as your Wi-Fi network name (also known as SSID). Use third-party app to change your Wi-Fi network name.

[@suzran]

Agree with other comments re unreliability of the Linksys system. Loved Velop at first, loved that it was going to be HomeKti compatible, but after time - the routers just kept konking out on me. At first, I had to reset them every day or two, then every day, then multiple times a day. I even disabled the HomeKit integration, thinking that might have caused the degradation, but it just continued to decline. Finally just gave up, sucked it up and purchased the Eero wifi 6 system. SO MUCH better. Still getting used to having a consistent and secure wifi!

[@HomeKitAuthority]

How long before they started to fail?

[@suzran]

@@HomeKitAuthority About a year.....

[@mpetrides]

That’s interesting because I just tried the Eero WiFi 6 router and found it to be no real improvement over the AirTies I had been using and it had major problems with my Hue Bridge and with geolocation on my HomePods. First of all, in order to even get the speeds I had been getting with the AirTies my ISP had to turn off WiFI 6 and set the Eero to legacy mode. This with a rock solid 500 down/500 up fiber optic connection to the internet, confirmed with devices connected directly to the ONT via Ethernet. As for the Hue issues, the Bridge and lights connected just fine with both the Hue App and with the Home App when using the AirTies. And, I had no problem setting up the Hue Bridge with the Hue App on my iPhone but when I then tried to pair the Hue Bridge with the Home App, it kept telling me it couldn’t see the Bridge and that I should connect the Bridge to my router and reboot. Clearly it was connected (albeit directly to the fiber optic ONT) and multiple reboots and even a couple of complete factory resets didn’t solve the problem. As for geolocation, none of my OG HomePods or HomePod minis were able to determine where I was located in order to provide weather information once I switched to the Eero. This was also true on an iPad mini 5 with no built-in GPS but geolocation worked fine on the iPad Pros that have built-in GPS. Clearly, when trying to do IP-based geolocation, my Apple devices simply wouldn’t work. I’d had a similar problem with an earlier model of Eero router except that in that instance the geolocation failed on my Apple TV’s and on my Mac as well. I had been thinking of getting a Velop but not after reading your tale of woe (and other people’s).

[@vladcode]

Would you still recommend the linksys or should I get the eero pro 6? It’s a smaller new built house with about 1,600 sq feet. Wasn’t sure if one would be enough since it’s supposed to cover 2,000 square feet. Our wires router is in the corner of the house and I noticed that the wireless backhaul tends to get slower Wi-Fi speeds

[@jasonalba7571]

Do I still need to create a links ya account or does using the home app enough?

[@hoppy6250]

Great video. As someone in the U.K. using sky for internet I’m keen to understand how you got around the double NAT issue. From what I understand sky force you to use their modem/router and you’ve effectively added another one. Did you remove the sky one?

[@HomeKitAuthority]

No, its still double NAT. But now I have bought my own VELOP setup I will also buy the modem to remove this issue

[@hoppy6250]

@@HomeKitAuthority I went for the eero a couple of months ago but currently run it in bridge mode loosing all the HomeKit features. If you find an article explaining the new modem setup please let me know! Seems daunting!

[@pianoman112182]

3:27 When I am trying to allow the Linksys app access to my Home data, there does not seem to be a switch for allowing access in the settings. Is this something anyone has encountered and overcome? I have tried restarting the router as well as my phone but still nothing.

[@miguelteirlinck6942]

Hey man! Just bought the tri band version. I don't see the 'Apple Home Integration' on the side menu. What's going on? Is it because I'm in Belgium or?

[@neatroxhd]

How did you connect all your bridges? Like there's only one ethernet port...

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Network switch, but each node has two Ethernet ports

[@neatroxhd]

Thanks!

[@tsingh7275]

Hey! Nice video... do you know if the cheaper model Linksys WHW0103 Velop Whole Home Mesh Wi-Fi System works with HomeKit too? Thanks!

[@dannybroddy]

I do not know if you have tried it, I have the Velop AC 6600 3 nodes but I have also added two dual band plug in nodes. The tri band nodes are HomeKit compatible but the dual band nodes are not. Because of this, it was interfering the ability to secure my HomeKit devices. When I contacted Linksys, they said they only way I could use HomeKit secure router was to not use the dual band routers in my setup.

[@HomeKitAuthority]

So you have a mixture of Tri and Dual then?

[@AhmadNazirAfiq]

You can still use the dual band Velop alongside tri-band and still get Accessory Security. You’ll need to have the tri-band model be the parent node (connected to ISP) while the dual-band Velop as a child node. Works for me, as all all of the appear in HomeKit.

[@dannybroddy]

@@HomeKitAuthority hi yes I have the tri band nodes with the dual band extender nodes. Just to reach those far places like the outside clubhouse.

[@dannybroddy]

@@AhmadNazirAfiq no I’ve worked on this a while, I have the tri band nodes my parent node is a tri band. However due to how Velop works the devices connect to the hub with the best signal. Sometimes this is the dual band extender. HomeKit secure router is not compatible with the dual band line up. When my HomeKit devices connect to the dual band nodes they become unresponsive in HomeKit. Linksys said there is no way around this besides upgrading the two extenders to the tri band nodes.

[@AhmadNazirAfiq]

@@dannybroddy I have the exact same setup but all my devices freely connects to any nodes including the dual band ones and works as expected in HomeKit. I’d suggest you to disable band steering in the Linksys web access and see if it helps.

[@0g.Ghost.7373]

I wonder if this will fix my Circle View camera going offline a few times a week…..

[@CrptcHpp]

Any plans to review the Velop AX4200 WiFi 6 with HomeKit?

[@TC-zx9xm]

Great video sir

[@euangelion3o9]

It's amusing that you can "secure" your smart devices via automating basic firewall rules but it can only happen on Linksys routers that have absolute crap security. Seems like this would be easier todo with just adding smart device VLANs, one with internet access and one without.

[@Jesse_Calleia]

does the homepod mini do this stuff

[@mjjf8297]

8:26 even with Eufy Cameras that don’t require the Homebase, like indoor cam 2k (pt)?

[@saifurvalli]

Can you connect the Ring Doorbell to this router to work with HomeKit?

[@GreeniusGenius]

What you’re looking for is a Raspberry Pi 4 and Homebridge.

[@andresate6314]

I keep getting everyday a ‘no response ‘ from my Meross smartplugs, on homekit, the only way to fix this is to restart my router , and it works maybe for half a day a it gets the no response again

[@Martin-gu5eb]

Hi enjoyed your video. It would be nice to see a video how you connect the system to you sky Q box 👍🏻 thanks

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Hi, I connected it via the ethernet port on the back of the Sky Q modem and then set it to automatic configuration DHCP. It will double NAT this way, but you can get around it by buying a separate modem

[@AlexReds]

@@HomeKitAuthority Hi Jon, when you say buying a separate modem, do you mean using a third-party modem instead of the sky box? I didn't know Sky give network login details, do they? Or what did you mean?

[@bydandie]

Problem is that this firmware (and the others that Linksys have released) simply don’t work when using wired backhaul. They pulled the firmware, replaced it with the same version and recently released .16 with the same effect. Clients cannot connect to the child nodes with wired backhaul. It would be really good to highlight this as then maybe Linksys will do something about it :(

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Thanks for the information

[@femateco]

is it better than Eero?

[@liamduffy88]

Perfect video at just the right time for me. I currently use Sky as my broadband provider, how did you find switching from the router provided to the new mesh system?

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Switching over from the sky Q was easy enough. But I did leave it in place keeping the sky q media boxes connected. The reason being is that at the time of setup I didn’t know if I would be changing it permanently.

[@jam_1138]

Velop was garbage for me. Try eero or another mesh system

[@MrKevosmin]

@@jam_1138 why was it trash for you?

[@jam_1138]

@@MrKevosmin It had constant disconnections and when i moved from one room to another, the device i was using wouldn’t switch to the nearest mesh node, it would just stay connected to the node in the room i had come from, because of that i’d always have weak signal/speeds. It was really poor.

[@DavidSchertz]

Any other WiFi 6 routers you plan on testing?

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Once a HomeKit one ships then yes

[@DanielLee1]

Great video. Quick point - it’s pronounced “Vel-up”, as in, “they’re wifi nodes that ‘envelop’ your home with internet” (from ‘envelope’) 👍

[@ejntaylor]

Any ideas for getting VPN up on this router?

[@CrptcHpp]

Can you setup a vpn on the router with HomeKit enabled?

[@siobhanellis]

Hi there. How did you go with Philips (Signify) Hue? I had to set to unrestricted. It seems that the UK/Ireland is just fine with Auto, but USA doesn't work. We do know that Signify uses different download servers for different geographies, so I think they screwed that up. Also, Homebridge has to be set unrestricted.

[@HomeKitAuthority]

HomeBridge is run at my end on a hoobs box and I have set it to auto and its working. I have not had any issues with Philips Hue either being in auto mode

[@siobhanellis]

@@HomeKitAuthority Have updates worked since on Auto? Same with the Hue Bridge? With the Hue bridge, it seems to be a geographical thing. Affects Eero users here in the USA too.

[@brkbtjunkie]

The rootah

[@michaelthompson657]

How did you end up setting your sky router up? Because I assume you can’t put it in modem only mode. Did you just turn the WiFi off on your sky router and use a double NAT?

[@HomeKitAuthority]

For the testing it was connected via the sky Q router, but I left the Q Wi-Fi on as I didn’t want to mess with my Q boxes as I didn’t know I would end up buying my own. Now I have bought my own, I am getting a third party router and removing the sky stuff

[@michaelthompson657]

@@HomeKitAuthority cool thanks! What third party router are you buying? Would it not be better to get a modem instead of a router and connect that through Ethernet to the velop?

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Correct, I meant to say modem. It’s a drytek model. I will dig out the model number when I am home

[@michaelthompson657]

@@HomeKitAuthority I thought you might of 😂 cool no problem thanks, I assumed your ISP wouldn’t let you do it with how finicky they are in the uk!

[@HussainMiah]

Does this work for BT Broadband connections?

[@HomeKitAuthority]

Should do yes

[@AnonymousOG]

Should be a law that requires tech KZbinrs to add chapters 🤦‍♂️

[@eballacharles0302]

👍👌