HomeKit camera + VPN connectivity issues
If a HomeKit compatible camera’s live stream becomes inaccessible to an iOS device because you’re running a VPN or private DNS service, it may help to exclude the following routes.
I’m using Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 WARP, and had live-stream connectivity issues, so I entered each of the following into the Excluded Routes list, checking for camera connectivity after each entry, and restarting the 1.1.1.1. app, and the Apple Home app.
It was a trial-and-error process using Bonjour service domain info from IBM, and Bonjour service nomenclature from Apple Developer.
In the 1.1.1.1 app:
—> Menu
—> Advanced
—> Connection Options
—> Excluded Routes
Scroll to the bottom and add one route at a time (no app restarts necessary, since you’re not testing like I was):
- 169.254.0.0/32
- NSNetService
- NSNetServiceBrowser
- CFNetService
- CFNetServiceBrowser
Adding just the Bonjour service domain (first in the list) wasn’t enough to effect a change, so I added the underlying services.
I’d appreciate any input from Bonjour-, networking-, or iOS-savvy folks on any unintended consequences of the Excluded Routes I used. My terminology may be off, but I hope my method was understandable — I’m an unqualified but curious, middle-aged run-of-the-mill user. ✌🏼
iPhone XS Max