Science & Tech · Big Tech & Internet · 13 hrs ago
Apple Home AI camera summaries require higher-cost iCloud+ plans
Apple is adding AI tools to its Home security camera system with iOS 27.
The tools can summarize related recordings from multiple cameras, let users search video with everyday phrases and group similar clips.
They are intended to make it easier to review events around a home, such as a delivery.
The features require compatible cameras, an Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone and a second-generation HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K running the latest operating system.
Users also need an iCloud+ plan of at least 2 TB, which costs $9.99 a month for one camera; plans for more cameras cost more.
Supporting as many as five cameras can require the 12 TB plan, priced at $59.99 a month, separate from a family's existing iCloud storage plan.
The AI features are optional, and users can enable them on selected cameras to limit costs.
Apple’s AI summaries for Home security camera footage require higher-cost iCloud+ plans.
The feature can describe and group related clips across cameras and let users search recordings with natural-language queries.
A single camera requires the 2 TB plan, priced at $9.99 per month, according to Engadget.
Using the feature with up to five cameras requires the 12 TB plan, priced at $59.99 per month.
The feature also requires compatible Apple devices and is optional.
- Who
- Apple Home users with compatible security cameras and devices.
- What
- AI features summarize, group and enable natural-language searches of camera recordings. They require higher-cost iCloud+ plans.
- When
- With the release of iOS 27.
- Where
- In Apple HomeKit’s home security camera system.
- Why
- The AI features require more iCloud+ storage than the lower-cost plans provide.
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- Single camera
- Requires the 2 TB iCloud+ plan at $9.99 per month
- Two cameras
- Requires the 6 TB plan at $29.99 per month
- Three to five cameras
- Requires the 12 TB plan at $59.99 per month
- Device requirement
- At least a second-generation HomePod, HomePod mini or Apple TV 4K
- Phone requirement
- An Apple Intelligence-enabled iPhone, nominally iPhone 15 Pro or later









