Nowadays, smart technology is an integral part of our lives, and home security has taken a new direction with systems like HomeKit. With the updates of iOS 17 and tvOS 17, Apple has significantly improved how we can monitor and manage the security of our homes. This is crucial to ensure peace of mind, knowing that each and every one of our accessories is functioning exactly as they should.
How to activate the HomeKit Activity Log
The HomeKit Activity Log is a feature that activates automatically with the update to tvOS 17 on devices like Apple TV or HomePod. However, it’s always a good idea for us to check that it’s in use.
It allows us to view up to 30 days of activity from security-related accessories like door locks, alarm systems, and more. Let’s note that only as homeowners or users of the house can we activate or deactivate this function. To do so, here are the steps to follow:
- Open the Home app on our iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- Tap the More button, shaped like three dots within a circle, at the top right.
- Tap on Home Settings.
- Tap on Security.
- Choose One Month to activate the feature or None to turn it off.
How to check the Activity History
Once activated, we can easily check the activity history of our HomeKit security devices. We’ll be able to see information such as door locking and unlocking, alarm system operations, and more. How will we do it? These are the steps to follow:
- Open the Home app on our iPhone, iPad, or Mac.
- At the top, select the Security category.
- Tap on Activity History.
All home users, including shared users, can access this history. However, the information stored in the Activity History is permanently deleted after 30 days.
The Activity History is also end-to-end encrypted, which means that not even Apple can access its content. It’s always a good idea, especially considering possible power outages, to establish a redundant system for certain elements. But setting aside situations where extraordinary security is needed and not addressing the fact that with this security flaw in our smartphones, we are highly traceable anywhere in the world, thanks to the security activity history of the Home app, we’ll have everything we need to be at ease with our security devices.
