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Motion Detection ​

Motion detection sends you alerts when Camera Bridge detects activity at your cameras.

Two Types of Motion Detection ​

Camera Motion Events (ONVIF) ​

If your camera supports ONVIF and has motion detection:

  • The camera itself detects motion and sends an event to Camera Bridge
  • Usually faster and more accurate (camera knows about shadows, weather, etc.)
  • Available settings depend on the camera model
  • Recommended for cameras that support it

Built-in Motion Detection ​

If your camera doesn't have ONVIF or motion events:

  • Camera Bridge analyzes the video stream frame-by-frame
  • Detects when pixels change significantly
  • Uses your Mac's CPU
  • Works on any camera with an RTSP stream

Configuring Motion Detection ​

Camera Events (ONVIF) ​

  1. In Camera Bridge, click your camera
  2. Go to ONVIF Settings section
  3. Look for Motion Detection or Event Configuration
  4. Enable it and adjust sensitivity if available
  5. Click Apply

Built-in Detection ​

For cameras without ONVIF:

  1. Click the camera in Camera Bridge
  2. Scroll to Motion Detection settings
  3. Adjust Sensitivity (how much pixel change triggers detection)
    • High: More sensitive, may have false positives (wind, lighting)
    • Medium: Balanced
    • Low: Only detects significant motion
  4. Adjust Detection Area if you want to ignore parts of the frame

Motion Notifications ​

In Apple Home ​

Notifications are controlled by Home's camera notification settings:

  1. Open Home
  2. Go to Home Settings › Notifications › Cameras
  3. For each camera, enable Motion Notifications
  4. Choose notification type: All motion, People only (with HSV), or Off

In Camera Bridge ​

Camera Bridge shows motion events in the camera's timeline:

  1. Click a camera
  2. Scroll to Motion Events section
  3. See recent motion detections with timestamps
  4. Click an event to see a snapshot

Notification Timing ​

  • Motion detected: Event appears in Camera Bridge immediately
  • HomeKit notification: Usually within 5–30 seconds (depends on network and Home hub)

Activity Zones ​

Activity Zones let you ignore motion in areas you don't care about.

Creating Zones ​

In Apple Home:

  1. Go to the camera › Edit › Activity Zones
  2. Draw zones where you want motion detection enabled
  3. Areas outside your zones are ignored
  4. Save your zones

In Camera Bridge (built-in detection):

  1. Click the camera
  2. In Motion Detection, click Edit Area
  3. Draw a polygon around the area you want to monitor
  4. Motion outside this area is ignored

Sensitivity and False Alerts ​

Too Many False Alerts? ​

  • Reduce sensitivity in motion detection settings
  • Set up Activity Zones to ignore dynamic areas (trees, flags, passing cars)
  • Make sure the camera isn't aimed at a bright light or reflective surface

Missed Motion? ​

  • Increase sensitivity
  • Make sure motion detection is enabled on the camera
  • Check that the camera's event stream is working (see Diagnostics)

Common False Triggers ​

  • Lighting changes: Shadows or sun moving across the scene
  • Weather: Rain on the lens, snow falling
  • Moving objects: Trees, flags, or curtains blowing
  • Insects: Flying past the lens (especially at night with IR)

Use Activity Zones to cover these areas if they're causing problems.

Recording and Clips ​

When motion is detected:

  • HomeKit Secure Video: A clip is recorded to iCloud (if recording is on)
  • Camera Bridge: Motion is logged with a timestamp and snapshot

See HomeKit Secure Video for recording details.

Troubleshooting ​

Motion detection not working?

  • Check that it's enabled in the camera's settings (ONVIF) or Camera Bridge (built-in)
  • Make sure the camera is connected
  • See Diagnostics

Not getting Home notifications?

  • Verify notifications are enabled in Home Settings › Notifications › Cameras
  • Check that Camera Bridge is running
  • See Network & Permissions

Too many false alerts or missing real motion?

  • Adjust sensitivity
  • Set up Activity Zones
  • See above for common false triggers

Learn More ​