Why can’t I use mobile data to connect my camera?

Can I connect my camera directly to mobile data networks?

No, security cameras do not support direct cellular data network connections. Cameras only support 2.4GHz WiFi and mobile hotspot connections. However, there are two ways you can use mobile data with your camera:

Method 1: Use Mobile Hotspot for Camera Setup

If you need to connect your camera using your phone's data, you can create a mobile hotspot:

1. Enable mobile hotspot on your phone
2. For iPhone users: Go to Settings > Personal Hotspot and enable "Maximize Compatibility" to ensure 2.4GHz compatibility
3. Set a simple hotspot name (e.g., "Phone") and password (e.g., "12345678")
4. In the camera app, tap "Add Camera" and follow the steps until you reach "Select Wi-Fi for the camera."
5. Tap "Manual input" and enter your hotspot name and password
6. Continue with QR code setup to complete the connection

Method 2: Remote Viewing via Mobile Data

Once your camera is successfully connected to your WiFi network, you can view it remotely using mobile data:

1. After a successful initial setup, your camera maintains a connection to your WiFi
2. You can then view live streams and recordings from anywhere using your phone's mobile data connection
3. The camera stays connected to your WiFi while you access it remotely via mobile data

Why can't I view my camera when away from home?

If you can view cameras through wifi at home but not when using mobile data away from home, this usually means that something in the network connection is causing the issue. Check that:

1. Your camera maintains a stable WiFi connection at home
   • Make sure the camera is online and the home WiFi signal is strong.
2. The camera hasn't gone offline due to low battery or WiFi signal issues
   • Low power or a poor signal can cause temporary disconnections.
3. Your mobile data connection is stable
   • Even if live view works on home WiFi, it may fail on mobile data if your phone’s 4G/5G signal is weak or unstable. Strong mobile reception is required to load live video smoothly.
4. Disable Any Proxy or VPN on Your Phone
   • These services may slow down or block the connection when you are away from home.