How to connect CCTV to your smartphone

Security camera systems are becoming more and more high tech, easier to manage and convenient to monitor. With an app on your phone, you can see your home CCTV or at the office with a click of a button.

You can connect your CCTV security cameras directly to your smartphone with the use of a mobile app that picks up your IP address and streams via wifi or a router. This way you can be anywhere in the world and safe in the knowledge that your house, pets, cars, or businesses are fine.

As convenient as this boom in technology has bought us, it’s imperative to be clued up on how to keep track of your security, the risks involved in wireless systems and how to avoid them.

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How To Connect Security Camera To Your Mobile Phone

If you want the convenience of watching your security camera from your mobile phone while you’re off the premises, you can connect your phone via an app as long as you have a high-quality security camera. Luckily with the advancement of technology these days almost all security cameras, especially IP security cameras can now be linked to mobile phones. However, there is a myriad of different security camera apps available. 

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Which Security Cameras Will Connect to my Phone?

When you’re looking for CCTV cameras with a preference of being able to view it remotely from your phone, watch out for the remote viewing functionality. Cameras can be linked to smartphones, tablets and computers with this function. Some systems may support either iOS or Android operating systems but some will be compatible with both. 

We suggest doing some research about the camera and the application it uses as some top quality tech cameras can be ruined by their apps. If your camera works seamlessly with your smartphone then you have a good fit.

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Four Steps to linking Security Systems to your Phone with Wifi

‍Step 1: Install and launch security camera app on your smartphone

Step 2: Add your security camera to the application using the model code or QR code

Step 3: Click on the security camera linked to the phone to see a live view

Step 4: Set configurations such as motion detection, alerts frequency, etc to suit your monitoring requirements.

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Some of these steps may vary due to the individual security camera app so check with the application system to set up steps for more information.

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Why can't I see my CCTV on my phone?

There may be times when you struggle to connect your CCTV to your phone or computer through the app. The first thing to check is your Internet Router. It’s possible it is no longer sending an internet connection to your CCTV Recorder (DVR / NVR).  There could be an array of different reasons for this and it will likely depend upon the app you are using to stream your security system.

First of all check if the internet connection is working on both premises and your phone is connected. Check if you can load internet pages from your smartphone, this will determine if it is specifically a problem between your security and the app. If you recently got a new router or internet service you will need to set up your router to forward again to your DVR so your phone app will work again. 

It could be due to a change of IP address. Every internet connection in the world has its own IP address and the provider can change it whenever they like if you’re not paying them for this service specifically.  If the IP address has changed you will need to update the camera on the app. You can do this by googling “what is my IP address” and check that the IP addresses match that on the app. 

If this doesn’t work and your connection is hard wired between the router and the recorder then try to reboot both the router and the CCTV and try to connect again. 

If your security cameras use the TP Link Powerline Adapters check that all three green lights are displayed on them. If only two or less lights are on then the connection won’t work. This could be due to a power surge or spike. By switching off the TP Link Plug from the mains and counting to five before turning them back on this should rectify the problem. Once you see the three green lights return the internet should be restored.

If none of the above issues work and you still are unable to connect your phone to your security camera then reach out to a professional for help.

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Security concerns of going mobile

Adding mobile access into security systems has elicited some concerns. While there are many conversations regarding cyber security and physical premises security the two rarely overlap. Due to the popularity of wireless security cameras we add an extra risk to our convenience. 

Hardwired security systems send footage to a closed-circuit television but wireless cameras rely on the internet to transmit data to other devices that also have permission to access this data. This makes your footage much more vulnerable to hackers who can access it and use it for criminal behaviour. On the bright side you can avoid this by choosing systems with encryption features when you’re researching or purchasing your security cameras. 

A little common sense can also go a long way with security camera placement, such as avoiding pointing your camera directly at your front door with a house number displayed or your car with a number plate on show. All it would take is for a security camera hacker to check your IP address and narrow down your location and when you’ll be home. 

Also, determine when you really need to stream your wireless security systems. It goes without saying that these systems are useful but choosing when and where you access the live stream and avoiding public wifi networks may protect you against hackers.