Set up Unicam in 10 minutes

This is the whole first run. Most people are recording within ten minutes.

1. Install the hub

Pick where the hub runs. If you’re not sure, use the computer you’re on now: install the Unicam desktop app for Mac or Windows and that computer becomes the recorder. For an always-on setup, use a Raspberry Pi 4/5, a NAS or any Docker host. See Download and Choosing a hub.

Your hub starts a 3-day free trial of Pro the first time it runs, with every feature unlocked.

2. Pair your phone

Open the Unicam app and connect it to the hub. You can scan the hub’s QR code, open its pairing link, or type the hub’s address and the 6-digit pairing code. Codes are single-use and expire after 10 minutes. Details in Pair a device.

3. Add your cameras

Open Add camera. The hub scans your network over ONVIF and RTSP and lists what it finds, recognising popular brands.

1. Pick the camera, or the brand tile if it isn’t listed.
2. Type the camera’s own password. It is not your Wi‑Fi password and not your app login. Each brand calls it something different: Imou uses the Safety Code on the label, Tapo a Camera Account you create, EZVIZ a verification code. See Which password does my camera want?
3. Unicam tests the login before saving, and tells you exactly what went wrong if it fails.

Brand-by-brand steps are in the camera setup guides.

4. Choose where footage goes

Open Storage and add a destination:

• Google Drive, Dropbox or OneDrive: one-tap sign-in.
• S3, Backblaze B2, Cloudflare R2 or Wasabi: paste a bucket and keys.
• A NAS share, USB drive or folder: pick a path.

Add more than one if you like; every clip goes to all of them. See Storage destinations.

5. Save your recovery key

Go to Settings → Security and save your recovery key somewhere safe and offline: a password manager or a printout. It is the only thing that can decrypt your cloud footage. See Encryption and your recovery key.

6. Optional: access from anywhere

Install Tailscale on the hub and your phone, and Unicam switches between your home network and Tailscale automatically. No port-forwarding. See Remote access.

Before the trial ends

Pick Essential, Plus or Pro. If you buy on the website, you’ll get a license key to enter in the app. See Plans and the free trial.