Apple's smart doorbell to utilize MagSafe, ring AirPods Pro

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AppleInsiderAppleInsider
Posted:
in iPhone edited February 25

A known Apple leaker has shared a series of veiled hints about Apple's rumored smart doorbell, and it may be further evidence for reverse charging coming to iPhones.

A video doorbell with a black circular camera lens and an Apple AirTag attached, mounted on a white wall near a glass window.
Rumors suggest an Apple doorbell is on the way



Investment in the future of Apple Home has increased since the Apple Car project was canceled. Rumors suggest one of Apple's first smart home devices will be a doorbell, expected in 2026.

HomeKit Secure Video, facial recognition, and Face ID are all obvious features of a possible Apple doorbell, but a new rumor suggests MagSafe could be included. Leaker Kosutami shared a series of posts on X hinting at an Apple doorbell, ending with "MagSafe on your door, it rings."

MagSafe on a doorbell doesn't make much sense at first glance. It would be too easy to steal if that's how it attached to a surface, and it would be an inefficient way to power it.

Many smart doorbells offer an emergency power option via a USB port, so that could be an option, but users aren't exactly walking around with a MagSafe Charger and battery pack. However, Apple doorbell users likely have an iPhone.

Apple could start including reverse wireless charging with the iPhone 17 Pro. That means owners of the iPhone 17 Pro could magnetically attach their iPhone to the doorbell for emergency power.

That said, the use case is still odd. Unless the doorbell is critical to accessing the home via Face ID, there isn't much reason to provide emergency power to the doorbell in this manner.

Instead of powering on the doorbell to get a Face ID scan that unlocks the door, users could just use Home Key. Unless Apple is shipping a feature that prevents access without a face scan.

This is all speculation around a rumor from a vague set of social media posts. Kosutami has a good track record for uncovering information from supply chain sources, so there's a solid chance MagSafe could be a feature of the Apple doorbell.

At the least, it's probably a feature in a leaked EVT model, which is what Kosutami usually gets ahold of. The product isn't expected to release until late 2026, so feature sets will likely change dramatically in that time.

The leaker also shared a feature that would come to "next generation" AirPods Pro. The Apple doorbell would ring the AirPods in addition to the HomePods.

HomeKit-connected doorbells already can play a chime over HomePods. AirPods Pro would be a natural next step for chime playback, though it isn't clear why this would need a newer model.

Kosutami doesn't have a perfect track record. While they've shared legitimate-looking pre-production photos, they've also shared incredibly inaccurate rumors like that the Apple Watch Series "X" would have a new connector.

This rumor is rated possible, even if MagSafe integration can't be easily explained.

Rumor Score: Possible

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Comments

  • Reply 1 of 22
    SuntanIronMansuntanironman Posts: 106member
    Oh! So that’s where all those magnets meant for the iPhone 16e’s MagSafe went to. It all makes sense now. What an unfortunate clerical error. :D
    stompyapple4thewinwilliamlondonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 2 of 22
    GovernorKrellgovernorkrell Posts: 1member
    It strikes me that the doorbell itself could be MagSafe, which would eliminate the need to unscrew a security plate and remove an external battery like on Ring. Or, just the battery is mag safe and can be swapped. If they’ve figured out a lock release for the bell/battery via NFC when your iPhone is near, it could alleviate a lot of charging hassle.
    apple4thewinmike1selleringtonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 3 of 22
    randominternetpersonrandominternetperson Posts: 3,182member
    I’ll wait for the iBelle and save $200. 
    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 4 of 22
    kkqd1337kkqd1337 Posts: 505member
    I don't understand the attraction of a battery powered doorbell. Unless it was REALLY impossible to run power to one. But is that ever really the case? Just spend some money and get a power line run to it. One expense will save you a lifetime of pain.

    Recharging your doorbell seems like an unnecessary hassle to me.
    edited February 26
    muthuk_vanalingamwilliamlondonselleringtonrandominternetpersongatorguywatto_cobrabandits1
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  • Reply 5 of 22
    apple4thewinapple4thewin Posts: 422member
    It strikes me that the doorbell itself could be MagSafe, which would eliminate the need to unscrew a security plate and remove an external battery like on Ring. Or, just the battery is mag safe and can be swapped. If they’ve figured out a lock release for the bell/battery via NFC when your iPhone is near, it could alleviate a lot of charging hassle.

    Hello newcomer 👋, that actually sounds like a good idea. Just have 2 batteries so one is always charged and fast swapped by magnetically attaching, and the other can be wirelessly charged with existing chargers.

    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 6 of 22
    mike1mike1 Posts: 3,474member
    Please, please have a battery option. Replace my Ring in a heartbeat.
    jas99SmittyWwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 7 of 22
    maltzmaltz Posts: 532member
    kkqd1337 said:
    I don't understand the attraction of a battery powered doorbell. Unless it was REALLY impossible to run power to one. But is that ever really the case? Just spend some money and get a power line run to it. One expense will save you a lifetime of pain.

    Recharging your doorbell seems like an unnecessary hassle to me.

    I don't get that either.  I mean, even if the device uses more power during a ring than a typical doorbell transformer provides when operating the chime, it's trivial to put a small battery or supercapacitor in there to pick up the slack during ring events.  And it can't use more power than a doorbell transformer provides all the time, or it would be using too much power to be battery powered in the first place.  But powering a doorbell camera from the existing line does require wiring modifications (and/or added hardware) inside the chime box as well.  Maybe it's just an ease of installation thing.
    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 8 of 22
    DAalsethdaalseth Posts: 3,255member
    If you have a doorbell, you have power to it already. MagSafe makes absolutely no sense. Battery power makes absolutely no sense. You have power there already. 

    I already have enough stuff that I have to keep charged.
    edited February 26
    randominternetpersonwilliamlondonmuthuk_vanalingammike1
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  • Reply 9 of 22
    SuntanIronMansuntanironman Posts: 106member
    kkqd1337 said:
    I don't understand the attraction of a battery powered doorbell. Unless it was REALLY impossible to run power to one. But is that ever really the case? Just spend some money and get a power line run to it. One expense will save you a lifetime of pain.

    Recharging your doorbell seems like an unnecessary hassle to me.
    Sometimes yes, it can impossible to run power to one. Battery-powered smart door bells can be good for renters that want a new smart doorbell, but have landlords that won’t allow the renter to make any permanent changes or do any electrical work.
    williamlondonmike1watto_cobra
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  • Reply 10 of 22
    Stabitha_Christiestabitha_christie Posts: 712member
    kkqd1337 said:
    I don't understand the attraction of a battery powered doorbell. Unless it was REALLY impossible to run power to one. But is that ever really the case? Just spend some money and get a power line run to it. One expense will save you a lifetime of pain.

    Recharging your doorbell seems like an unnecessary hassle to me.
    About 34% of Americans rent their home. None of the apartments I have lived in had doorbells and probably would have frowned on me redoing the power to add one. Similar with rental properties, owners may not be overly keen to have tenants making permanent changes to the place. 
    williamlondonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 11 of 22
    Stabitha_Christiestabitha_christie Posts: 712member

    DAalseth said:
    If you have a doorbell, you have power to it already. MagSafe makes absolutely no sense. Battery power makes absolutely no sense. You have power there already. 

    I already have enough stuff that I have to keep charged.
    See my other comment. There are a large number of people that don't have doorbells, don't have the option to change their door bell or can't just up an change the wiring. So a battery operated doorbell does make sense for some folks. Also not that the article didn't say that it would only be battery operated. 
    williamlondonmuthuk_vanalingammike1watto_cobra
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  • Reply 12 of 22
    M68000m68000 Posts: 931member
    DAalseth said:
    If you have a doorbell, you have power to it already. MagSafe makes absolutely no sense. Battery power makes absolutely no sense. You have power there already. 

    I already have enough stuff that I have to keep charged.
    Batteries absolutely make sense during a power outage.
    williamlondonwatto_cobrakkqd1337
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  • Reply 13 of 22
    AppleZuluapplezulu Posts: 2,371member
    DAalseth said:
    If you have a doorbell, you have power to it already. MagSafe makes absolutely no sense. Battery power makes absolutely no sense. You have power there already. 

    I already have enough stuff that I have to keep charged.
    Native doorbell power probably isn’t enough to run a camera. Maybe some kind of wireless MagSafe connector would enable charging an internal battery in order to avoid physical port that invites damage from rain and moisture. 

    The idea posted by others of swappable magnetic batteries would be a no go for a security camera. Can’t make it that easy for miscreants to disable security. 
    randominternetpersonwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 14 of 22
    selleringtonsellerington Posts: 96member
    DAalseth said:
    If you have a doorbell, you have power to it already. MagSafe makes absolutely no sense. Battery power makes absolutely no sense. You have power there already. 

    I already have enough stuff that I have to keep charged.
    I have an Aqara battery powered doorbell. I looked at getting power to it as it will run on mains power. The cost was much more than the cost of the doorbell so I will stay with the batteries for now,

    Apple customers will want a simple solution not something that requires expensive installation.
    williamlondonmike1watto_cobra
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  • Reply 15 of 22
    dmitrekdmitrek Posts: 6member
    Apple has a reverse charging on iPhones for years now. The only official enabled usage for now is a MagSafe battery pack - you could plug iPhone into power and battery would also charge.
    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 16 of 22
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,727member
    AppleZulu said:
    DAalseth said:
    If you have a doorbell, you have power to it already. MagSafe makes absolutely no sense. Battery power makes absolutely no sense. You have power there already. 

    I already have enough stuff that I have to keep charged.
    Native doorbell power probably isn’t enough to run a camera. Maybe some kind of wireless MagSafe connector would enable charging an internal battery in order to avoid physical port that invites damage from rain and moisture. 

    The idea posted by others of swappable magnetic batteries would be a no go for a security camera. Can’t make it that easy for miscreants to disable security. 
    The power to your existing doorbell supplies enough power for a doorbell camera with constant recording, ie, Nest Doorbell, without any changes, and without needing a battery. 
    edited February 27
    watto_cobra
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  • Reply 17 of 22
    Stabitha_Christiestabitha_christie Posts: 712member
    gatorguy said:
    AppleZulu said:
    DAalseth said:
    If you have a doorbell, you have power to it already. MagSafe makes absolutely no sense. Battery power makes absolutely no sense. You have power there already. 

    I already have enough stuff that I have to keep charged.
    Native doorbell power probably isn’t enough to run a camera. Maybe some kind of wireless MagSafe connector would enable charging an internal battery in order to avoid physical port that invites damage from rain and moisture. 

    The idea posted by others of swappable magnetic batteries would be a no go for a security camera. Can’t make it that easy for miscreants to disable security. 
    The power to your existing doorbell supplies enough power for a doorbell camera with constant recording, ie, Nest Doorbell, without any changes, and without needing a battery. 
    Not necessarily. Nest doorbells require at least 16- 24 volts. Older doorbells ran on 6 or 8 volts; newer doorbells run on 12+. So older doorbells and even some new one's wouldn't provide the needed power. 

    mike1watto_cobra
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  • Reply 18 of 22
    gatorguygatorguy Posts: 24,727member
    gatorguy said:
    AppleZulu said:
    DAalseth said:
    If you have a doorbell, you have power to it already. MagSafe makes absolutely no sense. Battery power makes absolutely no sense. You have power there already. 

    I already have enough stuff that I have to keep charged.
    Native doorbell power probably isn’t enough to run a camera. Maybe some kind of wireless MagSafe connector would enable charging an internal battery in order to avoid physical port that invites damage from rain and moisture. 

    The idea posted by others of swappable magnetic batteries would be a no go for a security camera. Can’t make it that easy for miscreants to disable security. 
    The power to your existing doorbell supplies enough power for a doorbell camera with constant recording, ie, Nest Doorbell, without any changes, and without needing a battery. 
    Not necessarily. Nest doorbells require at least 16- 24 volts. Older doorbells ran on 6 or 8 volts; newer doorbells run on 12+. So older doorbells and even some new one's wouldn't provide the needed power. 

    It runs great with my 23-year-old doorbell wiring. I think the overwhelming majority would work well with most common doorbell transformers.  The Ring doorbell cam runs on as little as 10v. So yes, my original statement that a doorbell camera can run on existing doorbell wiring is accurate. 

    That said, the current Nest Doorbell does either battery or hard-wired out-of the box, no need to choose to buy one or the other. Pick your poison. :)
    edited February 27
    tiredskillsmuthuk_vanalingamwatto_cobra
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  • Reply 19 of 22
    williamlondonwilliamlondon Posts: 1,452member
    Gotta love all those commenters saying "I don't understand, therefore this is stupid" and "not for me, therefore not for thee." JFC, put the mirrors down, life isn't all about you.
    muthuk_vanalingammike1watto_cobra
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  • Reply 20 of 22
    Stabitha_Christiestabitha_christie Posts: 712member
    gatorguy said:
    gatorguy said:
    AppleZulu said:
    DAalseth said:
    If you have a doorbell, you have power to it already. MagSafe makes absolutely no sense. Battery power makes absolutely no sense. You have power there already. 

    I already have enough stuff that I have to keep charged.
    Native doorbell power probably isn’t enough to run a camera. Maybe some kind of wireless MagSafe connector would enable charging an internal battery in order to avoid physical port that invites damage from rain and moisture. 

    The idea posted by others of swappable magnetic batteries would be a no go for a security camera. Can’t make it that easy for miscreants to disable security. 
    The power to your existing doorbell supplies enough power for a doorbell camera with constant recording, ie, Nest Doorbell, without any changes, and without needing a battery. 
    Not necessarily. Nest doorbells require at least 16- 24 volts. Older doorbells ran on 6 or 8 volts; newer doorbells run on 12+. So older doorbells and even some new one's wouldn't provide the needed power. 

    It runs great with my 23-year-old doorbell wiring. I think the overwhelming majority would work well with most common doorbell transformers.  The Ring doorbell cam runs on as little as 10v. So yes, my original statement that a doorbell camera can run on existing doorbell wiring is accurate. 

    That said, the current Nest Doorbell does either battery or hard-wired out-of the box, no need to choose to buy one or the other. Pick your poison. :)
    Lol, your argument is "I think I am right, so I am right". It is crazy that Nest has info on how people can upgrade their doorbell transformers so it will provide enough power for a hardwire doorbell. Perhaps you should let them know it isn't needed. 
    mike1watto_cobra
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