Xfinity Routers Can Now Detect Movement at Home—No Camera Necessary

Xfinity has launched WiFi Motion, an opt-in tool that lets compatible home routers detect activity inside a residence without using cameras, microphones, video, or other mainstream security sensors.

WiFi Motion detects changes in WiFi signals between a gateway, extenders, and connected devices. When a person, pet, or object crosses that path, the system can log an activity event and send an in-app alert. Customers can select devices to cover specific areas, adjust sensitivity, review an activity history, and choose Home Watch, Away Watch, or Dark Watch modes, per Xfinity’s press release.

Without cameras or mics, these routers can’t identify people, create footage, or record sound, making them an inappropriate replacement for a real home security system. (There also isn’t any external monitoring, meaning no one will reach out to you or respond to your home upon alert.) Xfinity says the routers only detect motion within areas in which its network equipment and selected connected devices intersect.

Room setup, walls, device position, WiFi strength, neighbors, pets, and even your daily routines can affect WiFi Motion’s results. One setting can reduce alerts from small pets, but it cannot reliably separate people from children or larger animals.

Even though it does not monitor customers’ motion, the terms say Comcast, Xfinity’s parent company, can share WiFi Motion data with third parties if required by law, like during police investigations or legal orders.

If you’d like to try WiFi Motion, know that it’s turned off by default and must be toggled on. You can later disable it via the Xfinity app.