BLUCONNECT / USER GUIDE
Cameras
Last updated: 7 October 2026
BluConnect shows cameras from your linked accounts and your local network alongside your other devices. Live view and snapshots are available on every plan; panning and zooming (PTZ) and motion alerts are part of BluConnect Plus.
Camera card and snapshots
On the camera's page you'll see a 16:9 camera card. For cameras that provide snapshots, the card refreshes every 10 seconds while the screen is open and stops when you move to another screen. If the camera is offline, the card says Offline.
Watching live
- Open the camera's page and tap Watch live.
- The video opens full screen with sound off at first. Use the speaker icon at the top right to Unmute or Mute.
- If the connection drops you'll see "Stream ended" or "Couldn't open the video"; tap Try again.
- Tap the X at the top left to close.
The screen stays on while you watch. When you turn your phone sideways or use a tablet, the video widens and the control buttons move beside it.
Steering the camera (PTZ, Plus)
If the camera supports it, direction buttons appear below the live video. Only the buttons the camera supports are shown.
- Up, Down, Left, Right: each tap moves the camera a short step; press and hold to keep moving.
- Home position: the middle button returns the camera to its saved starting position.
- Zoom in and Zoom out: on cameras that support zoom.
Motion alerts (Plus)
Cameras that report motion detection show Motion among the device's features. You can turn it into an alert with an automation.
- Open the Routines tab.
- Under Suggested, find "Notify on camera motion" and tap Set up. This suggestion appears when you have a camera that reports motion.
- Review the prepared automation and save it. You'll get a notification on your phone when a camera detects motion.
For IP cameras added from your phone, motion is watched while the app is open. With a Home Hub in your home, motion is watched all the time and alerts arrive even when the app is closed.
Adding an IP camera (ONVIF / RTSP)
- Under Add device › By brand, choose IP camera.
- Tap Search network and pick your camera from the list; if it doesn't appear, type its IP address in Address (add :port at the end if the port isn't 80).
- Enter the camera's ONVIF Username and Password and tap Add camera.
- For a camera or recorder channel without ONVIF, type the address starting with rtsp:// under "or RTSP address" and tap Add stream.
If the camera isn't found, check that it's on, on the same network as your phone and has ONVIF enabled in its settings. Some brands require you to create the ONVIF user separately in the camera's own app or web interface.
Apple Home cameras (iOS)
On iPhone and iPad, cameras and video doorbells you've added to Apple Home can also be watched live in BluConnect. Once you allow access via Add device › By brand › Apple Home, these cameras appear among your devices; Watch live opens the video through iOS's own Apple Home stream, and the sound button works here too.
Door stations
For intercoms and door stations that can unlock a door, an Open door button appears below the camera card. Tapping it asks for confirmation first; the button is unavailable while the device is offline.
FAQ
Do I need Plus to use cameras?
No. Live view and snapshots are available on every plan. Panning/zooming (PTZ) and motion alerts require BluConnect Plus.
Why can't I see the direction buttons?
Direction and zoom buttons only appear when the camera supports these movements and reports them to BluConnect. Fixed cameras don't show them.
Where is my camera password stored?
IP camera details are stored on this phone and in your account's encrypted backup. If you have a Home Hub, they're also passed to the Hub so it can watch for motion continuously.
It says "Update the app to watch live video". What should I do?
The version you're using doesn't include the camera player. Update BluConnect to the latest version from the App Store or Google Play.
Topics
BluConnect is coming soon to the App Store and Google Play. Start free; upgrade to Plus when you need it. See plans ↗