Skip to content

6.0.0
Compare
Choose a tag to compare
@JurajNyiri JurajNyiri released this 13 Dec 13:05
· 20 commits to main since this release
6.0.0
4f214fa
This commit was created on GitHub.com and signed with GitHub’s verified signature.
GPG key ID: B5690EEEBB952194
Learn about vigilant mode.

Victory for Local Control: TP-Link Enables Third-Party Compatibility

On November 5, 2023, I reported a security vulnerability to TP-Link. They addressed the issue, but by April 2024, users began reporting that their Tapo cameras had stopped working with this integration (see issue).

Thankfully, a temporary workaround was discovered soon after: disabling the cameras' internet access and performing a factory reset restored full functionality.

Then, on May 8, 2024, I was personally affected by this change. Motivated to find a lasting solution, I developed a proof-of-concept (POC) just a week later. Within two days, the POC was polished and ready for use. This solution worked but required the integration to communicate with the TP-Link cloud temporarily. I reached out to TP-Link to ensure they were comfortable with exposing details of their cloud functionality.

Throughout this whole period, I maintained active communication with TP-Link, seeking a mutually agreeable solution. TP-Link proposed a dedicated cloud endpoint for integration but ultimately decided against implementing it. By October 2024, my proposed solution was also declined.

Finally, the breakthrough came this month: as of December 2024, TP-Link has introduced a toggle in the Tapo app that re-enables local communication. This new feature, available on any firmware version and with internet-enabled cameras, allows seamless integration with Home Assistant and other third-party tools implementing the local protocol.

To activate this feature, simply go to your Tapo App (version 3.8.103 and later) and then click on:
Me > Tapo Lab > Third-Party Compatibility > On.

This is the best outcome we could have hoped for. It restores full local control, reaffirms TP-Link’s commitment to the open-source community, and ensures continued compatibility with Home Assistant.

TL;DR:

Cameras are now fully functional online with the latest firmware. Enable Third-Party Compatibility in the Tapo app to integrate seamlessly with Home Assistant and other third-party tools.

Note: Version 3.8.103 and later is required.

Assets 2
Loading