Say goodbye to third party browsers, janky, un-secure Active X web plugins and boot camping just to view your Security Cameras or NVR online and run them natively (and more safely). Its simple set up Hik-Connect on M1 Apple Silicone devices!
Apple’s new in-house silicone comes with a few not so documented ways to run mobile, iPhone and iPad apps on your shiny new M1 MacBook Air, MacBook Pro and Mac mini. Now, if you’re wondering what does this have to do with Hik-connect, and a totally better way to view and playback your CCTV footage from anywhere- read on and rejoice!
What’s different about Apple’s M1 silicone and Hik-Connect?
Apple in November released the first Macs with an Arm-based M1 chip, debuting new 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, and Mac mini models. The M1 chip has received rave reviews for its incredible performance and efficiency, and it is the culmination of more than a decade of Apple’s work. It’s essentially unified architecture that powers both mobile and desktop devices- meaning all apps are compatible*
Download apps you already own and Hik-Connect
The easiest method is to install apps you’ve previously downloaded on your iPhone or iPad, some of which are available even if they don’t show up in the Mac search results such as older, no longer supported apps and betas.
Open the Mac App Store and click on your name in the lower-left corner. You’ll then see a list of the previously downloaded or purchased Mac apps linked to your Apple ID. Click on iPhone & iPad Apps to switch the view to apps you’ve installed on your phone or tablet.
While there is no search feature, you’ll have to scroll through the list until you find what you’re looking for. The apps are listed in chronological order, with the most recent apps at top, find Hik-Connect and get it installed.
What’s the catch?
So far nothing. Every single app feature and setting works well, real well. This is very noticeable when live viewing and playback. Touch ID works perfectly in lieu of Face Id.
You can full screen the app or have it run windowed in iPad viewport which works well without taking up to much desktop. Switching between camera streams, resolutions and features using the trackpad is a breeze.
Unfortunetly, this method of side loading apps has a couple of caveats:
- Only works with 2020 M1 Apple silicone
- Hikvision can block sideloading their app should they wish
- Apple could block sideloading all together on M1 silicone
The good news is that once you have installed/sideloaded your favourite iPhone and iPad apps they can’t be removed, but further updates may break or render them useless if the developer or Apple no longer want us to do this. Hik-Connect on M1 Apple Silicone is a great example of how a good mobile app may not actually need a desktop version.
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