Camera Bridge

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Add Your First Camera ​

Before You Start ​

Make sure you have:

  • Camera Bridge installed and running
  • The camera's username and password (usually found in the camera's web page or app settings)
  • The camera's IP address on your network (if you want to add it manually)

Add a Camera ​

  1. Click the + button in the Camera Bridge sidebar, or open the menu bar icon and choose Add Camera
  2. Camera Bridge will search your network for cameras

Option 1: Use a Discovered Camera ​

If Camera Bridge finds your camera:

  1. Select it from the list
  2. Enter the camera's username and password
  3. Click Next

Camera Bridge will check the camera's type and available streams.

Option 2: Add by Address ​

If your camera isn't discovered:

  1. Choose Add by Address
  2. Paste the RTSP address (looks like rtsp://user:password@camera-ip:554/stream)
  3. Click Next

Not sure what the RTSP address is? See Camera Compatibility for how to find it.

Review Camera Details ​

On the next screen:

  • Streams: Camera Bridge shows what streams the camera offers (main and sub streams)
  • ONVIF: If the camera supports ONVIF, Camera Bridge will show detected capabilities
  • Settings: You'll see which settings Camera Bridge can read and adjust

If something looks wrong, go back and check the address, username, or password.

Optimize Settings ​

  1. Click Optimize for HomeKit
  2. Review the checklist — this shows what HomeKit needs for good clips
  3. For each item:
    • If it shows a checkmark, the setting is already correct
    • If it shows a wrench, Camera Bridge can fix it — click Apply (if available on your camera)
    • If it shows information, you'll need to change it on the camera yourself

Common fixes:

  • Keyframe interval: ideally 1–2 seconds, or 4 at most
  • H.264 codec: H.265 works but is converted, using more Mac CPU
  • Sub stream: a 640×360 stream makes live view faster

Add to Apple Home ​

Once your camera is set up:

  1. Open the Home app on your iPhone, iPad, or Mac
  2. Tap the + button and choose Add Accessory
  3. Open Camera Bridge and click your camera's page
  4. Tap or click the HomeKit setup code or QR code
  5. In Home, scan the code and accept Uncertified Accessory (normal for a software bridge)

Your camera will appear in Home with a live view tile. To record clips, see HomeKit Secure Video.

Troubleshooting ​

Camera not found? Check Network & Permissions.

Not getting clips? See Recording Problems.

Something else? Visit Common Issues or Diagnostics.