The Big Apple Intelligence Upgrade
Discovering the hidden iCloud tax on Apple’s smart cameras might surprise you. Apple is rolling out massive upgrades for HomeKit Secure Video in late 2026. These updates are heavily powered by the new Apple Intelligence. If you have compatible smart cameras, the software stitches together footage from multiple angles. It summarizes what happened in plain English. You can even search your video history by typing phrases like, “show me when the dog ran outside.” It also finally bumps the video quality up to a crisp 4K resolution.
The 2TB Subscription Catch
But there is a catch. To unlock these specific AI features and 4K recording, you cannot just use the basic Apple iCloud plans. Apple recently confirmed that you will need to subscribe to the top-tier 2TB iCloud+ subscription, which currently costs $9.99 per month.
Think of it like buying a sports car, but realizing the turbo button only works if you buy premium gas. You have always needed a paid iCloud plan to use Apple’s secure video features. The basic $0.99 tier lets you add one camera, and the $2.99 tier supports up to five. However, if you want the smart AI scrubbing your footage to reduce notification spam, you have to jump to the 2TB tier.
Is the Upgrade Worth It?
If you already pay for the $10-a-month Apple One bundle or share a 2TB iCloud plan with your family for photo storage, you get these camera upgrades for free. But if you are currently on the cheaper tiers solely to run a couple of security cameras, you will need to decide if paying an extra $84 a year is worth having AI organize your video clips. For most beginners with just a video doorbell and a driveway camera, the cheaper plans will still record standard high-definition video just fine.