Camera Bridge

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Adding Cameras ​

Find Your Camera on Your Network ​

When you click Add Camera, Camera Bridge searches your local network for ONVIF cameras and displays them in a list.

Using an Automatic Discovery ​

  1. In the camera list, select your camera by its hostname or IP address
  2. Enter the username and password
  3. Click Next

Camera Bridge will now detect:

  • The camera's ONVIF capabilities
  • Available video streams (main and sub)
  • Supported settings and motion event types

If Your Camera Isn't Found ​

Reasons a camera might not appear:

  • Network isolation: If your camera is on a different VLAN or subnet, it won't be discovered. Use Add by Address instead
  • ONVIF disabled: Some cameras ship with ONVIF off. Turn it on in the camera's settings
  • Firewall: Check if anything is blocking mDNS or ONVIF traffic (port 8080)

Add a Camera by Address ​

If Camera Bridge doesn't discover your camera:

  1. Choose Add by Address
  2. Paste the RTSP stream URL
  3. Enter the camera's username and password
  4. Click Next

Finding Your RTSP Address ​

The RTSP address tells Camera Bridge where to stream from:

rtsp://user:password@192.168.1.100:554/stream
  • user:password: The camera's login (same as the web interface)
  • IP address: Your camera's IP on your network (find it in your router or the camera's app)
  • Port: Usually 554 (some cameras use 8554 or others)
  • Path: Depends on the model (main stream, sub stream, etc.)

Check your camera's manual for the correct RTSP paths. Common examples:

  • /streaming/channels/1 (many ONVIF cameras)
  • /stream (generic)
  • /video1 (some brands)
  • /rtsp_tunnel (some PoE cameras)

Multiple Streams ​

Many cameras offer both a main stream (higher quality) and a sub stream (faster, lower bandwidth):

  • Main stream: For recording clips and on-screen viewing
  • Sub stream: For quicker live view in the Home app

Camera Bridge can use both: the sub stream for the app's live view tiles, and the main stream for HomeKit Secure Video clips.

Review and Optimize ​

After adding a camera:

  1. Check the Streams section to confirm both main and sub streams are detected
  2. Review Settings to see what Camera Bridge can control
  3. Click Optimize for HomeKit and follow the checklist for best results

See Optimize for HomeKit for details on each setting.

Add to Apple Home ​

Once your camera is set up in Camera Bridge:

  1. Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
  2. Tap + and choose Add Accessory
  3. In Camera Bridge, click your camera and scan the HomeKit setup code or QR code
  4. Accept the Uncertified Accessory prompt (normal for a software bridge)
  5. Add a name, room, and other details

Your camera will now appear in Home with live view.

Manage Multiple Cameras ​

Once you've added several cameras:

  • Camera grid (Overview): See all cameras' live view at once — access from the app menu or menu bar
  • Camera page: Click a camera to see detailed settings, motion events, and HomeKit status
  • Pro plan: Free plan shows only one camera in Home. Upgrade to Camera Bridge Pro to put all cameras in Apple Home

Troubleshooting ​

Connection failed? Check Network & Permissions.

Camera connects but looks wrong? Review the camera settings.

Something else? Use Diagnostics to check what's happening.