Homey Explained: How It Works with Reolink

Homey is a smart home platform that lets Reolink cameras and doorbells work together with the rest of your smart home. This guide explains what Homey is, how it works, and how Reolink devices fit into the Homey ecosystem.

What Is Homey?

Homey is a smart home platform that brings devices from different brands and technologies together in one place. Instead of switching between separate apps for your lights, thermostat, cameras, and locks, you can control and automate everything from a single system.

Homey supports more than 50,000 devices from over 1,000 brands, across technologies such as Zigbee, Z-Wave, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Infrared, 433 MHz, Matter, and Thread.

You can get started with Homey in different ways. Homey Cloud lets you start without hardware, Homey Pro is the all-in-one hub with the broadest built-in connectivity, Homey Pro Mini is a more compact hub, and Homey Self-Hosted Server lets advanced users run Homey on their own hardware.

How Does Homey Work?

Homey connects to your smart devices through apps. Each app adds support for a brand, service, or technology. Once your devices are added, you can control them from the Homey App and My Homey, and build automations using Homey Flow.

A Flow follows a simple structure: when something happens, Homey does something in response. For example, when motion is detected in the hallway, turn on the lights.

Flows can combine devices from different brands, so a Reolink camera detection can trigger Philips Hue lights, a Nuki door lock, and a Sonos speaker in a single automation.

For more complex automations, Advanced Flow offers a visual editor where automations can branch, combine, and make decisions based on multiple conditions.

How to Get Started with Homey?

There are different ways to get started with Homey, depending on how you want to use it.

Homey Cloud

Homey Cloud lets you get started for free, without buying a hub. It works with many cloud-connected devices right away. A Premium upgrade adds features like Advanced Flow, Insights, and unlimited devices.

If you want to add local devices that use Zigbee, Z-Wave, Infrared, or 433 MHz, you can add Homey Bridge.

Homey Pro

If you prefer a dedicated hub, you can choose Homey Pro or Homey Pro mini. Homey Pro supports the major smart home technologies, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth LE, Zigbee, Z-Wave, 433 MHz, Infrared, Matter, and Thread.

Homey Pro mini

Homey Pro mini is a more compact option with built-in Ethernet, Zigbee, Thread, and Matter, and can be expanded with Homey Bridge for Z-Wave, Bluetooth LE, 433 MHz, and Infrared.

Homey Self-Hosted Server

For advanced users, Homey Self-Hosted Server lets you run Homey on your own hardware. Out of the box, it supports devices that connect over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Cloud, and Matter, and can be expanded with Homey Bridge for Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth LE, 433 MHz, and Infrared.

What Devices Can Be Integrated with Homey?

Homey supports a wide range of device categories. Here are the most common ones.

Smart Security Cameras

Homey works with security cameras from brands like Reolink. Camera events such as person detection, vehicle detection, and motion alerts can trigger automations in Homey Flow.

Many supported Reolink Wi-Fi and PoE cameras with a built-in web interface can connect directly to Homey. Some models require a connection through an NVR or Reolink Home Hub. 4G/LTE models are not supported.

If you are looking for a Reolink camera to integrate with Homey, the Reolink Argus Track is a strong option. It offers 4K dual-lens imaging, PTZ functionality, and dual-band Wi-Fi.

Smart Doorbells

Reolink video doorbells can be connected to Homey. When someone rings, Homey can send a notification, show the camera feed on a dashboard, turn on hallway lights, or trigger any other automation.

Smart Lights

Control smart bulbs, LED strips, and dimmers from brands like Philips Hue, IKEA, and Shelly. Set automations based on time, presence, or other device events.

Smart Plugs and Switches

Turn regular appliances into smart ones. Smart plugs also let Homey detect when a device is running or finished, which can trigger further automations.

Smart Thermostats

Connect thermostats from brands like tado°, Nest, or Honeywell. Automate heating and cooling based on presence, time, or outside temperature.

Smart Sensors

Motion sensors, door/window sensors, temperature sensors, and water leak detectors can all trigger Flows in Homey.

Smart Locks

Locks from brands like Nuki, Yale, and Tedee integrate with Homey for remote control and automation.

How Can I Use Homey?

Setting up Homey takes a few simple steps.

1. Set up your Homey

For Homey Cloud, create an account at Homey Cloud. If you have a Homey Pro or Homey Pro mini, connect it to your network and follow the setup in the Homey App.

2. Add your devices

Install apps from the Homey Apps Page for the brands you use, then add your devices. Many devices are detected automatically.

3. Build automations

Create Flows to automate your home. Start simple, like turning on lights when motion is detected, and expand from there.

4. Control from anywhere

Use the Homey Mobile App to control your devices, check your dashboards, and receive notifications wherever you are.

FAQ

Is Homey free?

Homey Cloud is free to use. Homey Pro and Homey Pro mini are one-time purchases with no required subscription. Homey Premium is an optional upgrade for Homey Cloud users who want features like Advanced Flow and Insights.

Does Homey work with Reolink?

Yes. With the official Reolink app in the Homey App Store, you can connect most Reolink Wi-Fi and PoE cameras, doorbells, Home Hub, and NVR systems. Camera events can trigger Homey Flows, and you can view live streams, snapshots, and control camera features directly from Homey.

Does Homey work with Apple Home, Google Home, or Alexa?

Yes. Many people use Homey as their automation hub while continuing to use their preferred voice assistant for voice control.

Which Homey product should I choose?

Homey Cloud is the easiest way to get started without hardware. Homey Pro is the most complete hub, with full local control and the broadest built-in connectivity. Homey Pro mini is a compact hub that offers the essentials of Homey Pro and can be expanded with Homey Bridge.

Conclusion

Homey brings devices from different brands together, so your smart home can work as one. It supports more than 1,000 brands, works across all major smart home technologies, and lets you build automations with Homey Flow.

For Reolink users, that means your cameras and doorbells can do more than send alerts. Their detections can trigger automations, and you can control camera features directly from Homey. If you want your security devices to work alongside the rest of your smart home, Homey and Reolink are a strong fit.