# Pylo · HomeKit Camera — Turn your iPhone into a camera

> Repurpose old devices as local HomeKit security cameras. (iPhone/iPad app by Taylor Fausak.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pylo-homekit-camera/id6759997187 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Taylor Fausak](https://appshunter.io/developer/1052956593)
- Category: Utilities, Photo & Video
- Price: $4.99
- Rating: 5.00/5 from 3 App Store ratings · 2 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 15.0 · 3 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2026-03-07
- Data updated: 2026-08-22
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pylo-homekit-camera/id6759997187/reviews.md

## What is Pylo · HomeKit Camera?

Turn any compatible device into a HomeKit security camera.

Pylo turns a spare device into a fully functional HomeKit bridge — no hub, no cloud account, no subscription. Just open the app, scan the pairing code in Apple Home, and your old device becomes a security camera with live streaming, motion detection, and flashlight control.

Features:
• Live camera streaming in the Home app with two-way audio
• Motion detection using the accelerometer and camera
• HomeKit Secure Video recording support
• Ambient light sensor
• Flashlight control as a HomeKit lightbulb
• Choose front or back camera, adjust video quality
• Screen saver mode for always-on use
• Add or remove accessories on the fly

Designed for privacy:
• 100% local — video never leaves your network
• No accounts, no cloud, no data collection
• All communication encrypted end-to-end
• Works entirely over your local Wi-Fi

Pylo is ideal for repurposing an old iPhone or iPad as a baby monitor, pet cam, front door camera, or general home security camera — all integrated natively with Apple Home.

Note that in order for Pylo's features to work, it must remain in the foreground and the device must remain unlocked. If you use other apps or lock the device while Pylo is running, it will stop communicating with the Home app.

## Key features

- HomeKit Secure Video support
- Live camera streaming
- Motion detection
- Two-way audio
- Flashlight control
- Local processing, no cloud

## Recent user reviews (2 of 2)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/pylo-homekit-camera/id6759997187/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Nice work!

*2026-05-30*

Bravo, Taylor! This is a really neat app! I love innovations that bridge old and new tech. This is really a cool tool that makes old phones integrate beautifully with the Apple HomeKit ecosystem! I’m impressed, thanks for your great work on this.

### 5/5 — Perfection

*2026-03-09*

Turn any current and future old iPhone/iPad into a HoneKit camera for a one time $5 payment. Have not encountered any issues yet. Literally no reason not to buy this app if you need a HomeKit camera and have an old iPhone or iPad laying around

## Frequently asked questions about Pylo · HomeKit Camera

### What is Pylo?

Pylo is a utility app that transforms compatible iOS devices into HomeKit security cameras. It allows for live streaming, motion detection, and two-way audio, all integrated with the Apple Home app.

### How much does Pylo cost?

Pylo is a paid app, priced at $4.99. This one-time purchase grants access to all its features without additional subscription fees.

### Does Pylo have ads?

No, Pylo does not contain advertisements. It is a completely ad-free application, ensuring an uninterrupted user experience.

### What devices does Pylo support?

Pylo is designed to work on iPhones, iPads, and iPods. It is ideal for repurposing older devices into functional security cameras.

### Is Pylo secure and private?

Yes, Pylo is designed with privacy as a core feature. All video processing is 100% local, never leaving your network, with no accounts or cloud data collection.

### How often is Pylo updated?

The latest version of Pylo is 1.4, last updated on April 30, 2026. This indicates a commitment to ongoing development and improvements.

### What is the age rating for Pylo?

Pylo has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for a wide range of users. This rating suggests it contains no mature or inappropriate content.

### Can Pylo record video?

Yes, Pylo supports HomeKit Secure Video recording. This allows for secure, encrypted video storage directly within your iCloud account.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.4 — 2026-04-30

- Fixed a bug that could prevent entering the settings menu on older versions of iOS.
- Changed the flashlight to stay on when the video feed starts streaming. 
- Added an app review request when dismissing the settings menu.

### 1.3 — 2026-03-23

- Added a new programmable button accessory.
- Completely reworked the interface.
- Changed video quality to allow configuring resolution, frame rate, and bitrate separately.
- Fixed a bug where sometimes the app would crash if multiple devices interacted with it through the Home app at the same time.
- Fixed a bug where sometimes the app would crash after being open for a while.
- Fixed a bug where sometimes the siren would turn off immediately after it turned on.
- Fixed a bug where sometimes the wrong device orientation would be used.
- Removed the battery service from devices that don't have batteries.
- Improved performance and reliability.

### 1.2 — 2026-03-13

- Added a new occupancy sensor to detect presence using the camera.
- Added a new contact sensor to detect when something is close to the device (iPhone only). 
- Added a new siren accessory to play an alert from the speaker.
- Added support for split screen on iPad.
- Fixed a bug that prevented accessories from being enabled on iOS 15 and 16.
- Fixed a crash after the camera had been enabled for a while.
- Fixed a bug that sometimes used the wrong video orientation for iPads. 
- Changed the screensaver to be enabled by default.
- Changed light and occupancy sensors to work independently from the camera.

### 1.1 — 2026-03-09

- Added support for more devices by reducing the minimum iOS version requirement from iOS 17 to 15.
- Streamlined the initial Home pairing flow by starting with no accessories enabled. The Home app will automatically add accessories on the fly when they are enabled in Pylo.
- Changed setup flow to avoid asking for device permissions until actually needed. For example you will not be prompted for camera access until you enable the camera accessory.
- Updated the UI to explain why accessories cannot be enabled when required hardware is missing. For instance you cannot enable the camera accessory if your device does not have a camera.
- Fixed a bug that sometimes incorrectly activated the screensaver on the pairing screen.

### 1.0 — 2026-03-07

No release notes.

## Apps similar to Pylo · HomeKit Camera

| App | Rating | Price | Category |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| [ReferencePoint](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/referencepoint/id6761544229) | 5.0 (3) | $2.99 | Utilities |
| [LocalGPT for 26](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/localgpt-for-26/id6752342165) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Wrixle](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/wrixle/id6744665356) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Utilities |
| [HomeSnap - Smart Home Insights](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/homesnap-smart-home-insights/id6761507152) | 5.0 (4) | Free | Utilities |
| [Bubbles for Discourse](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bubbles-for-discourse/id6751514227) | — | Free | Utilities |
| [Don't Forget! Quick Checklists](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/dont-forget-quick-checklists/id6746042368) | 5.0 (1) | Free | Utilities |

---

*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-22.*
