Connected Home

Review: The Logitech Circle View Doorbell features great hardware only limited by HomeKit

Logitech Circle View Doorbell

When I started looking at smart video doorbells for my new home, one specific feature I was looking for was HomeKit support, but as it turned out at the time (merely 3 months ago), there was none. So like everybody else, I settled for a Ring doorbell, which has worked reliably for me. Installation was simple. Set up was a breeze, and daily use was just as frictionless as you would expect from a doorbell.

But then Logitech introduced the Circle View Doorbell in December of 2020, the first device of its kind to support HomeKit, thus playing nice with all the Apple devices in my house and pocket.

So I reached out to the folks at Logitech who sent me a Circle View Doorbell after giving me a short briefing on the product. In this review, I’ll share my impressions of this smart video doorbell. But a bit of warning: this review will be heavily tinted by my experience with Ring, which I see as the standard in the category, or the device to beat, if you will.

How to use the Home app visual status for accessories

Home App Visual Status iPad

Controlling your smart home from your iPhone and iPad is simple with the Home app. And with iOS 14, iPadOS 14, and macOS  Big Sur, you have a clearer way to see and manage your HomeKit accessories.

What used to be written summary section at the top of the Home app is now a visual summary of your connected devices. This allows you to quickly take action or more easily control your accessories. Here’s the scoop on using the visual status section for devices in the Home app.

How to use controls for HomeKit accessories in Control Center

Home Accessories in Control Center iPad

If you use the Home app to control your smart lights, doorbell, or thermostat, you’ll be glad to know the app wasn’t left out of the iOS 14 and iPadOS 14 updates.

To manage your accessories easier, you can control them from the handiest spot on your device – Control Center. And what’s even better is that these controls are just as smart as your devices because you’ll see accessories and scenes based on time of day or usage. Let’s take a look at how to use controls for your Home accessories in Control Center.