What You Will Need
- Eve Outdoor Cam
- Existing outdoor junction box with wiring (110-240 VAC)
- iPhone or iPad with the Eve app installed
- Apple Home hub (Apple TV or HomePod) for HomeKit Secure Video
- iCloud+ subscription (for HomeKit Secure Video recording)
- 2.4 GHz WiFi network
- Screwdriver, wire nuts, and a ladder
Step 1: Turn Off Power
Go to your electrical panel and turn off the breaker controlling the outdoor circuit where you plan to install the Eve Outdoor Cam. The camera replaces an existing outdoor light fixture and is hardwired into your home's electrical system. Use a voltage tester at the junction box to confirm the power is completely off before working with any wires.
Step 2: Remove Your Existing Outdoor Light
- Unscrew and remove the current outdoor light fixture from the junction box.
- Disconnect the wire nuts connecting the fixture wires to your home wiring.
- Set the old fixture aside.
- Ensure the junction box is in good condition and the wires have sufficient length to connect to the new camera.
Step 3: Mount the Eve Outdoor Cam
- Connect the black (hot) wire from the Eve Outdoor Cam to the black wire from the junction box using a wire nut.
- Connect the white (neutral) wire from the camera to the white wire from the junction box.
- Connect the green or bare copper (ground) wire to the ground wire or grounding screw in the junction box.
- Tuck the wires carefully into the junction box.
- Align the camera mounting plate with the junction box and secure it with the included screws.
- Attach the camera body to the mounting plate, adjusting the angle to cover your desired area.
Step 4: Restore Power
Turn the breaker back on at the electrical panel. The Eve Outdoor Cam's floodlight should briefly illuminate to confirm it is receiving power. The status LED on the camera will indicate it is ready for setup.
Step 5: Add the Camera to HomeKit
- Open the Eve app on your iPhone or iPad.
- Tap Add Accessory.
- Scan the HomeKit setup code printed on the camera body or the included card.
- The app will connect to the camera and prompt you to join your 2.4 GHz WiFi network.
- Enter your WiFi password and wait for the camera to connect.
- Assign the camera to a room such as "Front Yard" or "Backyard."
The Eve Outdoor Cam is a HomeKit-exclusive device. All video is processed locally and stored in iCloud via HomeKit Secure Video, meaning Eve never has access to your footage.
Step 6: Configure HomeKit Secure Video
HomeKit Secure Video requires an iCloud+ subscription (50 GB plan or higher) and an Apple TV or HomePod as a home hub. In the Apple Home app:
- Select the camera and tap Settings.
- Under Recording Options, choose whether to record when everyone is away, when anyone is home, or at all times.
- Enable face recognition to identify known people from your Photos library.
- Set up activity zones to focus motion detection on specific areas.
Step 7: Adjust the Floodlight and Camera Angle
The Eve Outdoor Cam has a bright integrated floodlight that illuminates the area when motion is detected. In the Eve app, configure the floodlight behavior:
- Set the floodlight to activate automatically at night when motion is detected.
- Adjust the brightness level to suit your environment.
- Enable or disable the floodlight during specific times using schedules.
Physically adjust the camera angle so the 157-degree field of view covers the most critical area. Use the live view in the Home app to fine-tune positioning.
Tips for Best Performance
- The Eve Outdoor Cam is designed to be fully privacy-focused. Video is end-to-end encrypted and only accessible by you through iCloud.
- Position the camera at eight to ten feet high for optimal motion detection and floodlight coverage.
- Ensure your WiFi signal is strong at the installation point. Since the camera streams continuously when accessed, a weak signal will result in buffering.
- Use the Eve app to view detailed motion history and adjust sensitivity settings over the first week to reduce false alerts.
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