Cameras

Completely Charge the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera’s Battery

If you have not done so already, you will need to fully charge the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera’s battery before installing it.

1. Plug the micro USB end of the included power cable into the charging port on the back of the camera, and the USB end into a power adapter that outputs 7.5W minimum (this adapter is not included)

2. Once plugged in, the charging indicator light on the top of the camera will begin to flash white

3. Charge the battery for at least 6 hours, or until the light on the top of the camera is a solid white

Add the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera in the SimpliSafe® Mobile App

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your smartphone or tablet

2. Navigate to the three-bar menu on the upper left corner and select Add Device or Camera

3. Select Cameras from the list of available products, and then Smart Alarm Indoor Camera

Wake Up the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera

Before pairing the camera to your system, you must first wake it up.

1. Press and release the setup button on the top of the camera; this is the larger button located toward the front of the camera

2. Once the camera is awake, the LED status light above the lens will begin to flash white

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No Flashing White Light?

If your camera does not flash white, please ensure that the camera is fully charged. If it is, you will need to firmly press and hold the setup button until you hear the camera chime.

Pair the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera to Your System

Once the camera is awake, you will need to pair it to your SimpliSafe® system.

1. Press and release the setup button again

2. The Base Station will announce, “Camera added”

3. Choose a name for the camera by selecting one of our pre-populated names, or select Custom Name at the bottom of the screen to input your own

Connect the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera to Wi-Fi

Next, the SimpliSafe® Mobile App will prompt you to connect the camera to Wi-Fi.

1. The app will ask if you want to connect the camera to the same Wi-Fi network as your Base Station

2. You may either select “Yes, Connect” to connect to the same network as the Base Station, or “Choose a Different Network” if you want to select a different one

3. Once the camera is connected to Wi-Fi, the app will download and install any necessary updates

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Smart Alarm Indoor Camera Didn’t Connect to Wi-Fi?

If your camera did not connect to your Wi-Fi network, please refer to the Camera Can’t Connect to Wi-Fi During Setup article.

Choose a Location for the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera

Next, you will be prompted to move your Smart Alarm Indoor Camera to its desired location and test its connection there before mounting the camera. This allows you to ensure your camera has a strong connection, or move your camera to a different location where the connection to your Wi-Fi router and Base Station is stronger.

When finding a location for the camera, we recommend the following:

• If you have pets larger than 50 pounds that will move throughout the area, place the camera on the edge of a flat surface (like a cabinet or shelf) that is 4 feet off the ground

  • Mounting the camera in this orientation will help remove the pet from the camera’s line of site, preventing false alarms

• The camera can be mounted on a wall or a flat surface like a shelf

  • When installing on a wall, mount the camera 6-7 feet from the ground with the camera angled down 20°

  • When installing on a flat surface, place the camera on the edge of the surface and approximately 4 feet off the ground

• The Smart Alarm Indoor Camera’s motion sensor is most sensitive to side-by-side movement, so choose a location where  subjects are more likely move horizontally across its field of view, as opposed to directly toward the camera

Check the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera’s Connection

After finding a location for the Outdoor Camera, tap “Begin Test” in the SimpliSafe® App to test its upload speed and signal strength. 

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Good Results

If your results were good, that indicates that the camera should stream and record video smoothly from its location. Please move forward to mounting the camera.

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Poor Signal Strength, Good Upload Speed

This result unusually indicates that the camera is not in range of the Wi-Fi router. Try moving the router closer to the camera or purchase a Wi-Fi extender.  

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Poor Signal Strength, Poor Upload Speed

This result indicates that the camera is not in range of the Wi-Fi router, and the Wi-Fi is not providing the minimum 2 Mbps upload speed. Move the camera closer to the router and try live streaming again. If this helps, you can either move the router closer to the camera or purchase a Wi-Fi extender.  

You may also need to contact your internet service provider to upgrade your package to one that includes higher upload speeds.

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Good Signal Strength, Poor Upload Speed

SimpliSafe® cameras require 2-3 Mbps per camera. If you have multiple cameras on your system, multiply the number of cameras by 2 to determine the minimum upload speed required. 

To improve your upload speed, you may either contact your internet service provider to upgrade your package, or move other Wi-Fi-enabled devices to a different network.

How to Mount the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera

If you are installing the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera on a flat surface, you may simply place it there. However, if you are mounting the camera on a wall, please follow the steps below.

How to Install the Camera on a Stone, Brick, or Stucco Surface

1. Hold the silver wall plate to the surface and mark the top and bottom key holes using a pen or pencil

2. Drill two holes using a 3/16 inch masonry drill bit

3. Insert a wall anchor into each hole by gently tapping them in with a hammer or mallet

4. Partially insert one of the included screws into the top anchor using your own Phillips head screwdriver, making sure that the screw still sticks out

5. Place the key hole over the screw and slide it into place

6. Secure the wall plate to the surface by screwing both screws into the wall anchors

7. Slide the camera over the wall plate and push downwards until it locks into place

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How to Install the Camera on Drywall

1. Hold the silver wall plate to the surface and mark the top key hole using a pen or pencil

2. Partially insert one of the included screws into the marked spot using your own Phillips head screwdriver, making sure that the screw still sticks out

3. Place the key hole over the screw and slide it into place

4. Secure the wall plate to the surface by screwing both screws into the key holes

5. Slide the camera over the wall plate and push downwards until it locks into place

Fine-Tune the Smart Alarm Indoor Camera’s Position

As a last step, you’ll want to check your camera’s view to ensure that it is capturing your desired area. Tap the “Check Live View” button in the app to see your camera’s live stream. From there, you can use the camera’s multi-pivot mount to get it in the right location. For the best performance, the camera should be angled 20° down.

Note: do not angle the camera upside down or tilted to the left or right. Doing so will impact its motion detection performance. 

Completely Charge the Outdoor Camera’s Battery

If you have not done so already, you will need to charge the Outdoor Camera’s battery before installing it, even if you intend on plugging the camera into a power cable.

1. Plug the micro USB end of the included charging cable into the Outdoor Camera’s battery and the USB end of the cable into an adapter that outputs 7.5W minimum (this adapter is not included)

2. Once plugged in, the LED lights on the battery will begin to blink to indicate that the camera is charging

3. Charge the battery for at least 6 hours, or until all three lights on the battery are solid

Add the Outdoor Camera in the SimpliSafe® Mobile App

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your smartphone or tablet

2. Navigate to the three-bar menu on the upper left corner and select Add Device or Camera

3. Select Cameras from the list of available products, and then Outdoor Camera

Assemble the Outdoor Camera

After the Outdoor Camera’s battery has been charged completely, you will need to insert the battery in the camera.

1. Remove the camera’s lens by twisting it counterclockwise

2. Insert the battery so the metal contacts on it are facing upwards and align with the contacts inside the camera

3. Place the camera lens back on and twist it clockwise until it clicks into place

4. You’ll know that the Outdoor Camera has been assembled properly when it chimes and begins to flash white

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Outdoor Camera Isn’t Flashing White?

If the Outdoor Camera doesn’t begin to flash white, it could be due to a few reasons. Either the battery isn’t charged, the battery was inserted incorrectly, or the camera’s lens was not twisted on all the way.

First, remove the battery from the Outdoor Camera and connect it to power again by using the included USB power cable and your own power adapter. If the battery is fully charged, all three LED lights will be solid. 

Once you have confirmed that all 3 lights are solid on the battery, reinsert it into the camera, making sure that the charging contacts are facing up and the battery tab is facing out towards you. Then twist the lens back on the camera until it clicks into place. 

If the light still does not flash white after reassembling the camera, you will need to reset the Outdoor Camera.

Pair the Outdoor Camera to Your System

1. Firmly press and release the pairing button on the back of the camera

2. The Base Station will announce, “Camera added”

3. On the mobile app, choose a name for the camera by selecting one of our pre-populated names, or select Custom Name at the bottom of the screen to input your own

Connect the Outdoor Camera to Wi-Fi

1. By default, the SimpliSafe® App will prompt you to connect the Outdoor Camera to the same Wi-Fi network as your Base station

2. You may choose either “Yes, Connect” to connect it to this network, or “Choose a Different Network” to select another one

3. After your Outdoor Camera has connected to Wi-Fi, it will check for and apply any available updates 

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Outdoor Camera Didn’t Connect to Wi-Fi?

If your Outdoor Camera did not connect to your Wi-Fi network, please refer to the Camera Can’t Connect to Wi-Fi During Setup article.

Choose a Location for the Outdoor Camera

Next, you will be prompted to move your Outdoor Camera to its desired location and test its connection there before mounting the camera. This allows you to ensure your camera has a strong connection, or move your camera to a different location where the connection is stronger.

When finding a location for the Outdoor Camera, we recommend the following:

• The Outdoor Camera should be mounted 6.5 feet off the ground and angled 30° down

  • If mounting above 6.5 feet, we recommend using the permanent mount to secure the camera to the surface

• The Outdoor Camera’s motion sensor is most sensitive to side-by-side movement, so choose a location where subjects are likely to move horizontally across its field of view

• Make sure the Outdoor Camera’s field of view is not obstructed by branches, flags, or other objects

• If you plan on keeping the Outdoor Camera charged with the outdoor power cable, make sure that the camera is within reach of an exterior power outlet

Check the Outdoor Camera’s Connection

After finding a location for the Outdoor Camera, tap “Begin Test” in the SimpliSafe® App to test its Wi-Fi upload speed and signal strength. 

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Good Results

If your results were good, that indicates that the Outdoor Camera should stream and record video smoothly from its location. Please move forward to mounting the camera.

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Poor Signal Strength, Good Upload Speed

This result unusually indicates that the camera is not in range of the Wi-Fi router. Try moving the router closer to the camera or purchase a Wi-Fi extender.  

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Poor Signal Strength, Poor Upload Speed

This result indicates that the camera is not in range of the Wi-Fi router, and the Wi-Fi is not providing the minimum 2 Mbps upload speed. Move the camera closer to the router and try live streaming again. If this helps, you can either move the router closer to the camera or purchase a Wi-Fi extender.  

You may also need to contact your internet service provider to upgrade your package to one that includes higher upload speeds.

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Good Signal Strength, Poor Upload Speed

SimpliSafe® cameras require 2-3 Mbps per camera. If you have multiple cameras on your system, multiply the number of cameras by 2 to determine the minimum upload speed required. 

To improve your upload speed, you may either contact your internet service provider to upgrade your package, or move other Wi-Fi-enabled devices to a different network.

How to Mount the Outdoor Camera

When installing the Outdoor Camera, you may mount it using either the included magnetic mount or the permanent mount. If you are installing the permanent mount, please refer to the Outdoor Camera Permanent Mount Overview and Installation Guide.

1. Remove the mounting plate from the magnetic dome by turning it counterclockwise 

2. If your are installing the Outdoor Camera on a brick, stone, or stucco surface, drill 2 pilot holes into the surface using a 3/16-inch drill bit and gently tap the included wall anchors into the holes using a hammer or mallet

3. Attach the mounting plate to the surface using the provided screws and your own Phillips head screwdriver

4. Twist the magnetic dome back on the mounting plate until you hear it click into place

5. Place the camera on the magnetic mount

How to Power the Outdoor Camera

After mounting the Outdoor Camera, you will be prompted to install your Outdoor Power Cable or Solar Panel to keep the battery charged, or you can choose to run the Outdoor Camera off its battery power. 

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How to Install the Power Cable

1. Lift the cover off of the charging port that is located on the back of the Outdoor Camera

2. Firmly plug the micro USB end of the Power Cable into the camera, making sure that the micro USB is flush to the camera

3. Snap the included strain-relief clip to the cable at the top near the camera

4. Screw the clip into the surface near your camera, approximately 6 inches away

   1. If you are installing the Outdoor Camera on a brick, stone, or stucco surface, you will need to drill a single pilot hole using a 1/4 inch masonry drill bit and insert the wall anchor first

5. Plug the power adapter into an outdoor-rated power outlet with a waterproof cover

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How to Install the Solar Panel

If you are powering the Outdoor Camera with the Solar Panel, please refer to the Solar Panel Installation Guide in the Help Center.

Fine-Tune the Outdoor Camera’s Position

As a last step, you’ll want to check your camera’s view to ensure that it is capturing your desired area. Tap the “Check Live View” button in the app to see your camera’s live stream. From there, you can adjust your camera’s angle to ensure it is capturing the area you want to watch over. For the best performance, the camera should be angled 30° down.

Add the SimpliCam® in the SimpliSafe® Mobile App

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your smartphone or tablet

2. Navigate to the three-bar menu on the upper left corner and select Add Device or Camera

3. Select Cameras from the list of available products, and then SimpliCam

4. On the "Are you installing at [location name]?" page, select "Yes" to confirm the camera location

   1. If you are installing the SimpliCam® somewhere else, select “No, I'm Installing Elsewhere" and follow the on-screen instructions

Connect the SimpliCam® to Wi-Fi

1. Next, you will be prompted to connect the SimpliCam® to Wi-Fi

   1. iOS Users: If your phone or tablet is already connected to Wi-Fi, the SimpliSafe® app will automatically select that one to connect the camera to. Tap "Next" on the bottom of the screen to connect to the network displayed

   2. Android Users: The app will display a list of available Wi-Fi networks to choose from

2. Type in the Wi-Fi password and select Next

Name the SimpliCam®

Next, the SimpliSafe® app will prompt you to name the SimpliCam®. You can select from our list of pre-populated names, or select Custom Name at the bottom of the screen to input your own.

Prepare the SimpliCam® for Setup

1. Remove the plastic from the lens if you have not already

2. Slide the SimpliCam® off the stand and plug the micro-USB into the port on the back of the camera

3. Remount the camera on the stand and plug it into the wall. The LED will show solid yellow, indicating it is booting up

4. When the camera finishes booting up, the customer will hear a voice prompt saying, "Your camera is ready for setup" 

5. The camera will start to flash white, indicating it is ready to be installed

Scan the QR Code

For the SimpliCam® to finish connecting to Wi-Fi, it will need to scan the QR code that appears on your phone or tablet’s screen.

1. Hold your phone 6-8 inches in front of the SimpliCam®

2. After the QR code successfully scans, press the "OK, Now Attempting…" button

   1. If the QR code does not scan, refer to the Why Won’t My QR Code Scan article in the Help Center

Choose a Location for the SimpliCam®

Finally, you will need to find a location to place the SimpliCam®. When finding a spot to install the SimpliCam®, we recommend the following:

• The camera should be placed on a shelf on the edge of a shelf, and at least 4 feet off the ground

• The SimpliCam®’s motion sensor is most sensitive to side-by-side movement, so choose a location where  subjects are more likely move horizontally across its field of view, as opposed to directly toward the camera

COX and Xfinity default their network security settings to the WPA3 protocol. To connect the Base Station to Wi-Fi or install the SimpliSafe® cameras, you’ll need to temporarily change this to WPA2. Once these devices are set up, you can change this setting back to WPA3.

COX subscribers will need to reach out to their Internet Service Provider (ISP) to temporarily switch the network from WPA3 to WPA2 security. 

Xfinity subscribers using the Xfinity gateway should be able to make these changes within the Xfinity Mobile App. Click on Wi-Fi from the bottom menu, then select Wi-Fi Details. Choose Edit Wi-Fi Settings. Under Security Mode change this setting to WPA2, then tap on Save to save your changes.

Changing your Wi-Fi using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet

2. Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar, followed by Camera Settings

3. Tap on the Camera you wish to change Wi-Fi for

4. Scroll down to Wi-Fi network and tap on it

5. Follow the in-app prompts to connect to your new network 

If you run into any issues using the above steps or if your camera remains offline after changing the Wi-Fi network, we recommend removing the camera from your system and reinstalling it.

How to Remove a Camera from your System

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet

2. Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar, followed by Camera Settings

3. Tap on your camera from the list of available products

4. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on “X Remove Camera”

How to Re-install Your Camera

1. Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App, tap on the three-bar menu (hamburger menu) in the upper left corner of the app

2. Choose “Add Device or Camera”

3. Then, select “Get Started” to proceed

4. Tap on the camera you wish to install from the list of available products

5. And follow the in-app instructions to add it back to your system

Remove your Camera from the SimpliSafe® App

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet

2. Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar, followed by Camera Settings

3. Tap on your Video Doorbell Pro

4. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on “X Remove Camera”

Re-install your Video Doorbell Pro Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App

1. Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App, tap on the three-bar menu (hamburger menu) in the upper left corner of the app

2. Choose “Add Device or Camera”

3. Then, select “Get Started” to proceed

4. Tap on Video Doorbell Pro from the list of available products

5. And follow the in-app instructions to add it back to your system

Remove your Camera from the SimpliSafe® App

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet

2. Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar, followed by Camera Settings

3. Tap on your SimpliCam® Wired Indoor Security Camera

4. Scroll down to the bottom and tap on “X Remove Camera”

Re-install your SimpliCam® Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App

1. Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App, tap on the three-bar menu (hamburger menu) in the upper left corner of the app

2. Choose “Add Device or Camera”

3. Then, select “Get Started” to proceed

4. Tap on SimpliCam® from the list of available products

5. And follow the in-app instructions to add it back to your system

Each SimpliSafe® camera needs an upload speed of at least 2Mbps. So if you have 5 cameras, you’ll need at least 10Mbps to allow cameras to record without an issue at the same time should an alarm occur, or if you use certain features within the SimpliSafe® Mobile App.

You can check your upload speed, along with signal strength using the in-app Connection Check tool.

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet

2. Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar

3. Select Camera Settings

4. Tap on the camera you wish to troubleshoot

5. Scroll down to Connection and tap on Connection Check

6. Press the “Start Connection Check” button to begin the test

What do my Results Mean?

Good Upload Speed

A good signal strength or upload speed means that there is a strong connection between your camera and Wi-Fi network. 

Fair or Poor Upload Speed

If your upload speed is fair or poor, reduce the camera’s video resolution in its settings in the SimpliSafe® Mobile App. To do this:

1. Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet

2. Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar

3. Select Camera Settings

4. Tap on the camera you wish to manage video resolution for

5. Navigate to “Video Quality” and choose a lower resolution

6. Don't forget to select SAVE in the upper right corner to save your selections

It may also be necessary to upgrade your internet package to improve your upload speed. We recommend reaching out to your internet service provider to learn more about their offerings. 

Fair or Poor Signal Strength

If your signal strength is fair or poor, move your camera and Wi-Fi router closer together and then try running the Connection Check tool again. If your signal strength is still fair or poor, we recommend getting a Wi-Fi extender.

It may also help to connect your SimpliSafe® devices to a different Wi-Fi network. We recommend setting up a Guest Network on your Wi-Fi router and only connecting your SimpliSafe® devices to it. To learn more about setting up a Guest Network, reach out to your internet service provider.

If you change your Wi-Fi network name and/or password for any reason (such as moving into a new home, or receiving a new router), you’ll need to update your SimpliSafe® System with the new Wi-Fi credentials. You will always want to update the Base Station Wi-Fi first before proceeding to the camera steps. If you do not update your Base Station’s Wi-Fi first, you will be unable to reconnect Outdoor Cameras or any Smart Alarm Indoor Cameras. 

Please note that your network will need to meet our system requirements to connect your system to Wi-Fi. At a very basic level, you will need a 2.4GHz wireless connection that’s configured as WPA2 or WPA2/3 Mixed Mode.

If you notice that multiple recordings for a single camera show a “No Video” error but your connection check is good, we recommend resetting your camera. You can find the steps to reset your camera on our Help Center.

• How to Reset the Outdoor Camera Series 2

• How to Reset the Smart Alarm Wireless Indoor Security Camera

• How to Reset the Wireless Outdoor Security Camera

• How to Reset the Video Doorbell Pro

• How to Reset the SimpliCam® Wired Indoor Security Camera​