Uploaded January 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
UPDATE: This video is from a little over a year ago and so much has changed since then. I've done an update here, complete with easier rules: terrywhite.com/secure-your-smart-home-in-2026-unifi-iot-vlan-firewall-rules-for-apple-home-matter-users
Are you looking to lock down your Apple smart home network while keeping Apple HomeKit running smoothly? In this video, I’ll guide you through setting up Unifi IoT firewall rules to enhance security without breaking connectivity. 🏠🔐
🔥 What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why you need firewall rules for your IoT devices
✅ How to segment your Unifi network for better security
✅ Step-by-step setup of firewall rules for HomeKit compatibility
✅ Best practices to keep hackers out while allowing essential connections
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:21 - What is an IoT VLAN?
03:37 - What’s a VLAN?
06:22 - Modifying your Default Network
09:10 - Create a Guest VLAN
12:20 - Create an IoT VLAN
14:07 - Security
14:20 - Upgrade to New Zone Based Firewall
17:08 - Create a Network Object Protocol
18:51 - Creating the 1st Policy: Allow IoT to HomeKit
22:09 - Creating the 2nd Policy: Allow IoT to Connect to the Internet
23:30 - Creating the 3rd Policy: Allow Trusted to IoT
25:22 - Creating the 4th Policy: Black Other IoT Traffic
27:40 - Reorder your NEW Policies
30:40 - Creating WiFi SSIDs
33:22 - Create a Guest WiFi SSID
35:08 - Create an IoT WiFi SSID
39:34 - Adding New HomeKit Peripherals
40:31 - Moving Your IoT Devices to the new IoT WiFi
43:34 - Connecting Ethernet Devices to the IoT Network
45:16 - Important Tip for Setting Up New Devices
46:35 - Wrap up
🛠️ Tools Used:
Test Equipment:
Unifi Cloud Gateway Max: store.ui.com/us/en/category/cloud-gateways-compact/collections/cloud-gateway-max/products/ucg-max-ns?variant=ucg-max-ns?a_aid=TerryWhite
Unifi U7 Pro Max Access Point: store.ui.com/us/en/category/all-wifi/products/u7-pro-max?a_aid=TerryWhite
My network tour: youtu.be/0miXsFiRcTk
🔔 Subscribe for more Unifi, HomeKit, and smart home tips!
👍 Like if you found this helpful & Comment with your setup questions!
UPDATE: This video is from a little over a year ago and so much has changed since then. I've done an update here, complete with easier rules: terrywhite.com/secure-your-smart-home-in-2026-unifi-iot-vlan-firewall-rules-for-apple-home-matter-users
Are you looking to lock down your Apple smart home network while keeping Apple HomeKit running smoothly? In this video, I’ll guide you through setting up Unifi IoT firewall rules to enhance security without breaking connectivity. 🏠🔐
🔥 What You’ll Learn:
✅ Why you need firewall rules for your IoT devices
✅ How to segment your Unifi network for better security
✅ Step-by-step setup of firewall rules for HomeKit compatibility
✅ Best practices to keep hackers out while allowing essential connections
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Intro
01:21 - What is an IoT VLAN?
03:37 - What’s a VLAN?
06:22 - Modifying your Default Network
09:10 - Create a Guest VLAN
12:20 - Create an IoT VLAN
14:07 - Security
14:20 - Upgrade to New Zone Based Firewall
17:08 - Create a Network Object Protocol
18:51 - Creating the 1st Policy: Allow IoT to HomeKit
22:09 - Creating the 2nd Policy: Allow IoT to Connect to the Internet
23:30 - Creating the 3rd Policy: Allow Trusted to IoT
25:22 - Creating the 4th Policy: Black Other IoT Traffic
27:40 - Reorder your NEW Policies
30:40 - Creating WiFi SSIDs
33:22 - Create a Guest WiFi SSID
35:08 - Create an IoT WiFi SSID
39:34 - Adding New HomeKit Peripherals
40:31 - Moving Your IoT Devices to the new IoT WiFi
43:34 - Connecting Ethernet Devices to the IoT Network
45:16 - Important Tip for Setting Up New Devices
46:35 - Wrap up
🛠️ Tools Used:
Test Equipment:
Unifi Cloud Gateway Max: store.ui.com/us/en/category/cloud-gateways-compact/collections/cloud-gateway-max/products/ucg-max-ns?variant=ucg-max-ns?a_aid=TerryWhite
Unifi U7 Pro Max Access Point: store.ui.com/us/en/category/all-wifi/products/u7-pro-max?a_aid=TerryWhite
My network tour: youtu.be/0miXsFiRcTk
🔔 Subscribe for more Unifi, HomeKit, and smart home tips!
👍 Like if you found this helpful & Comment with your setup questions!
