Security Camera Snapshots in Home App Failing to Refresh for Some Users

[MacRumors]

A growing number of iPhone users across the MacRumors Forums, Apple Support Communities, Reddit, and Twitter have reported that security camera snapshots in the Home app have failed to refresh over the last few weeks.

HomeKit Secure Video cameras added to the Home app each have a thumbnail that provides a still view of recent footage, and normally these thumbnails automatically refresh on a periodic basis. However, users on multiple iOS versions are experiencing an issue with the thumbnails failing to refresh and showing outdated footage as a result. The issue appears to extend to the Home app on the iPad and Mac for some users.

Importantly, the cameras still function properly when viewed live, but the thumbnails not updating is proving to be an annoyance for affected users.

While users have attempted to come up with temporary workarounds, such as the tedious process of signing out of their Apple ID account and then signing back in on affected devices, the issue appears to resurface for many over time. We've reached out to Apple to see if it is aware of the issue and/or planning a fix, and we'll update this story if we hear back. Users can also report the bug via the Home app feedback page on Apple's website.

Article Link: Security Camera Snapshots in Home App Failing to Refresh for Some Users

 

[dohspc]

I find non native HomeKit devices setup in my homebridge server work better than the native HomeKit devices.

 

[MikeDProducer]

This is 100% true. The workarounds suggested are time consuming and frustrating for people with an elaborate HomeKit setup. Deleting and re-adding the cameras is a pain in the neck. Signing out of iCloud is also a whole ordeal.

But both of these are only a temporary fix where the issue persists.

 

[macduke]

I find non native HomeKit devices setup in my homebridge server work better than the native HomeKit devices.

Haha yeah when I notice this problem with my Ring cameras I just ssh into my raspberry pi and reboot it.

 

[ouimetnick]

The Home app as a whole needs some intensive love. It's been lacking for years.

 

[dominiongamma]

I find non native HomeKit devices setup in my homebridge server work better than the native HomeKit devices.

HomeKit is starting to become harder to use every year I feel, the products are expensive or they don’t work properly

 

[dominiongamma]

The Home app as a whole needs some intensive love. It's been lacking for years.

I gave up up on it last year, Apple isn’t serious taking on Google or Alexis I feel with too much control and the price for products are way too expensive

 

[uller6]

I just want HomeKit stuff to work, and every year it seems to get worse and worse. The Home app on Monterey won't let you watch live videos when the app isn't in focus, whereas that worked fine in Big Sur.

 

[scottlitch]

Apple is aware. I've called multiple times and posted. Here's the thread I started a few days ago: https://discussions.apple.com/thread/253511820?login=true

 

[TheYayAreaLiving 🎗️]

Hopefully, this is the year the Home app gets introduced with new features and overall new design.

 

[ACHD]

Since when is signing out of an account
Tedious?
Are the staff writers that incompetent they can’t slick sign out. Enter a password. Continue sign out.

Then sign back in

All without having to reconfigure ****?

They are trying to make the work arounds sound a lot worse than it really is. Like cmon

It can take up to 1-2 mins in a device if that for the entire process of signing out and back in.

 

[MikeDProducer]

Since when is signing out of an account
Tedious?
Are the staff writers that incompetent they can’t slick sign out. Enter a password. Continue sign out.

Then sign back in

All without having to reconfigure ****?

They are trying to make the work arounds sound a lot worse than it really is. Like cmon

It can take up to 1-2 mins in a device if that for the entire process of signing out and back in.

The tedious part is redoing all of my wallpapers etc. lol Not the end of the world but it’s not fun doing it every day.

 

[4jasontv]

I’m shocked. I’d turn on my lights to make a scene but they are not responding.

 

[dominiongamma]

Since when is signing out of an account
Tedious?
Are the staff writers that incompetent they can’t slick sign out. Enter a password. Continue sign out.

Then sign back in

All without having to reconfigure ****?

They are trying to make the work arounds sound a lot worse than it really is. Like cmon

It can take up to 1-2 mins in a device if that for the entire process of signing out and back in.

Why should anyone have to jump though any hoops to make a product work ?

 

[Skb3735]

The tedious part is redoing all of my wallpapers etc. lol Not the end of the world but it’s not fun doing it every day.

Don’t forget about having to re-enter credit cards into wallet as well

 

[tothemoonsands]

I noticed this with my new setup, but didn’t realize it was a widespread issue! There’s definitely quirks with the Home app, but I’ll take it over the Alexa app any day! Nonetheless, hope there’s a fix soon. It was cool to see the transition between day and night with those snapshots if nothing else.

 

[yoheywut]

The Logitech Circle View camera pictured has been total trash for me over the past several months. They constantly drop offline, meanwhile a $40 Eufy indoor cam is rock solid. The whole reason I got the Logitech in the first place was its HomeKit Secure setup, but HomeKit seems more and more spotty. Perhaps Apple needs to add more servers somewhere...

 

[frenchcamp49er]

This is a few days old. Most if not all have resolved this problem.

 

[frenchcamp49er]

Since when is signing out of an account
Tedious?
Are the staff writers that incompetent they can’t slick sign out. Enter a password. Continue sign out.

Then sign back in

All without having to reconfigure ****?

They are trying to make the work arounds sound a lot worse than it really is. Like cmon

It can take up to 1-2 mins in a device if that for the entire process of signing out and back in.

Unless you use Apple Pay

 

[InGen]

Noticed this a few days ago and thought it was just a bug on my end. The home App could definitely use a makeover but more importantly the Logitech CircleView Camera could use a firmware upgrade to fix various bugs and sporadic disconnections it suffers at random which require manual power switch resets to reconnect. Only a lack of alternative HomeKit-supporting security cameras has stopped me returning it to the Apple store.

 

[44267547]

This is a few days old. Most if not all have resolved this problem.

Right….but how many people are actually aware of this issue to begin with? I think it’s more about creating awareness -v.s.- ‘this has been resolved’.

 

[xpxp2002]

Since when is signing out of an account
Tedious?
Are the staff writers that incompetent they can’t slick sign out. Enter a password. Continue sign out.

Then sign back in

All without having to reconfigure ****?

They are trying to make the work arounds sound a lot worse than it really is. Like cmon

It can take up to 1-2 mins in a device if that for the entire process of signing out and back in.

The tedious part is re-adding and activating all of my cards in my Wallet on the phone and the watch, because signing out of iCloud on the phone clears both…

 

[Brentleeper]

Looks like no one has considered this…
Just restart all of your home hubs. Seems to fix the issue for me immediately.

Edit: hmm this fixes the issue for me but not for other users added to my home. I am the primary user and they are invited.

 

[Brentleeper]

The Logitech Circle View camera pictured has been total trash for me over the past several months. They constantly drop offline, meanwhile a $40 Eufy indoor cam is rock solid. The whole reason I got the Logitech in the first place was its HomeKit Secure setup, but HomeKit seems more and more spotty. Perhaps Apple needs to add more servers somewhere...

It runs off of your home hub, there is no remote server except for storing the saved clips. Also the “spottiness” heavily depends on the quality of your home WiFi network and probably the quality of WiFi chip in the camera.

 

[mrmini78]

My Logitech Circle View keeps saying “Camera not available” as apparently someone else is viewing it. When I pause the wifi for the camera in my Eero app then I resume it this appears to fix it but once I stop viewing it in the Home app and go back to view it again I get the “Camera not available” again