Outdoor Cameras
Get the most out of your SimpliSafe system by getting answers to your questions and support for your devices.
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Can't Initiate Live Stream From Within the SimpliSafe® App
If you are unable to initiate a live stream from within the SimpliSafe® Mobile App or Online Account, there are a few steps you can take to try and get things running again.
Using the Connection Check Tool
The Connection Check Tool for Cameras is a great way to better understand your signal strength and upload speed from the router to where your camera is located.
To use the Connection Check Tool:
Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet
Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar
Select Camera Settings
Choose your camera from the list of available cameras
Under “Connection” select “Connection Check”
Tap “Start Connection Check” to find your camera’s connection strength
What do my Results Mean?
A good signal strength and/or upload speed means that there is a strong connection between your camera and Wi-Fi network.
A fair or poor upload speed means that you’ll want to reduce your camera’s video resolution. You can do this within the Camera Settings page for your camera in the SimpliSafe® Mobile App.
Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet
Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar
Select Camera Settings
Choose your camera from the list of available cameras
Tap on Video Quality
Choose a lower resolution
Select SAVE in the upper right corner to save your selections
It may also be necessary to upload your Internet package with your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to improve upload speeds. We recommend reaching out to your ISP to learn more about their offerings.
A fair or poor signal strength means your camera may be too far away from your Wi-Fi router. We recommend moving them closer, if possible. If not, you can opt to install a Wi-Fi extender to help bridge the network connectivity gap between the two. You can also move SimpliSafe® to a dedicated network or guest network to alleviate congestion. To learn more about setting up a dedicated or guest network, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or consult with your router’s manual.
Still Need Help?
Don't hesitate to contact our support team for additional troubleshooting or assistance. We're here to help!
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Cameras
Wireless Outdoor Security Camera Settings & Customizations
The Wireless Outdoor Security Camera has a variety of settings that can be customized, such as Motion Detection, Night Vision, Video Quality, and more! You can adjust these settings at any time using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App.
Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App
Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet
Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar
Select Camera Settings
Choose your Wireless Outdoor Security Camera from the list of available cameras
Camera Behavior
You can customize your Outdoor Camera by changing the motion detection to coincide with your system’s arming state. For example, if you don’t want your system to record when the system is set to OFF but you do want it to record when it’s set to AWAY, you can now control these settings.
To change these settings, tap into either OFF, HOME, or AWAY and make the adjustments to Motion Detection and Motion Notifications. Then, choose SAVE in the upper right corner of the app to save your selections.
Motion Detection
Motion Detection settings control how your camera will respond to motion events, such as someone walking in its view or a car driving by. In this menu, you can use the slider to adjust sensitivity, as well as change the Motion Type to detect All Motion or People Only. You’ll also be able to filter motion detection further by creating Activity Zones, which allow you to exclude certain areas from motion events. This is great if you live near a busy sidewalk or street!
Video Quality
Video Quality manages what quality your streams and recordings will be at. For the Wireless Outdoor Security Camera you can adjust this to 1080p, 720p, or 480p. The higher the stream, the more bandwidth it will use on your network. So if you’re having trouble streaming at 1080p, you can try lowering the quality as a troubleshooting step on your end.
Flip Image 180
This option is available should you mount your Outdoor Camera upside down, such as on an eave. When mounting your camera upside down, you will actively decrease the distance that it picks up motion in half. Specifically, an upside down Outdoor Camera will pick up motion within 15 feet, as opposed to 30 when in a normal orientation.
Mic & Audio
The Mic & Audio setting allows you to hear audio from your camera, and also allows you to initiate two-way communication when viewing live streams.
Siren
Your camera has a built-in siren that will relay the siren from your system in the event of an alarm so that neighbors or nearby passersby know that you may need help.
Status Light
The Status Light for your camera will show you that the camera is online and functioning, at a glance.
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Outdoor Cameras
Wireless Outdoor Security Camera Error Messages
CONNECTION ERROR
WHAT IT MEANS
If your Outdoor Camera is not responding, it’s likely due to either a low or dead battery or the camera is unable to connect to Wi-Fi. Please note that SimpliSafe® systems and cameras require 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks.
HOW TO FIX IT
Remove the battery from the camera and charge it with the usb charging cord that came included with your camera to ensure your battery is fully charged.
Confirm that your camera is connected to the correct network and that the name and password for the network have been entered correctly. You can do this my accessing the camera's settings in the SimpliSafe® mobile app.
Try bringing the camera and your internet router closer together, as too far a distance can weaken the internet connection to the device.
Restart your router and/or mesh access points and extenders.
Try bringing the camera and Base Station closer together, as too far of a distance between them can weaken the Outdoor Camera’s connection to your system and cause this error.
If this error persists, you may need to contact your Internet Service Provider to inquire about service availability and interruptions, and about upgrading your internet package and/or router.
Learn more about improving your upload speed and improving Wi-Fi signal strength. Please note that SimpliSafe® systems and cameras require 2.4GHz Wi-Fi networks.
WE’VE DETECTED AN ISSUE WITH THIS CAMERA
WHAT IT MEANS
A hardware issue was detected on your camera.
HOW TO FIX IT
Contact Customer Support for assistance resolving this issue.
UNABLE TO CONNECT TO SIMPLISAFE®
WHAT IT MEANS
SimpliSafe® is experiencing an issue, but there’s nothing wrong with your system.
HOW TO FIX IT
The issue should be resolved shortly, so please try again later. If you continue to experience the issue, please contact Customer Support.
Update Software
WHAT IT MEANS
The Wireless Outdoor Security Camera requires a Gen 3 Base Station with the latest firmware updates to run smoothly.
HOW TO FIX IT
Before setting up the camera, you will need to update the Base Station firmware via the Keypad.
If you have an Original SimpliSafe® system, upgrade to our latest generation today and receive a 50% discount on all your new devices. Upgrade here!
Unable to Stream to Your Device
WHAT IT MEANS
Some Android devices are unable to support the video playback on our Outdoor camera due to their hardware configuration.
HOW TO FIX IT
While we review the issue internally, please attempt to update your mobile devices operating system to the latest version. If that does not resolve the issue, please try using a newer Android device or the SimpliSafe® Online Account.
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Outdoor Cameras
Wireless Outdoor Security Camera Overview and Installation Guide
Overview
With the Wireless Outdoor Security Camera, enjoy advanced security from the outside, with 1080p HD video and a 140-degree ultra-wide field of view. Plus digital zoom and full-color vision at night - so nothing slips by undetected.
Before Getting Started
Before you get started, let’s make sure you have everything you need to get up and running.
In order to successfully set up the Outdoor Camera, you will need the following:
The latest generation of the SimpliSafe® Base Station and Keypad
A screwdriver for mounting on wood or vinyl surfaces
A 7/64 drill bit for mounting on brick, stucco or tile surfaces
Compatible USB adapter ( 5V, 7.5W+, 1.5A+, not included)
A 2.4GHz network connection
Note: the Outdoor Camera’s optimal temperature threshold is -4°F to 122°F
We also recommend fully charging the battery in your camera before beginning the installation process. It will take up to 6 hours for the battery to fully charge. You'll know it's charged when all 3 lights on the battery are illuminated, and not pulsing.
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.
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)
Once plugged in, the LED lights on the battery will begin to blink to indicate that the camera is charging
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
Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your smartphone or tablet
Navigate to the three-bar menu on the upper left corner and select Add Device or Camera
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.
Remove the camera’s lens by twisting it counterclockwise
Insert the battery so the metal contacts on it are facing upwards and align with the contacts inside the camera
Place the camera lens back on and twist it clockwise until it clicks into place
You’ll know that the Outdoor Camera has been assembled properly when it chimes and begins to flash white
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
Firmly press and release the pairing button on the back of the camera
The Base Station will announce, “Camera added”
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
By default, the SimpliSafe® App will prompt you to connect the Outdoor Camera to the same Wi-Fi network as your Base station
You may choose either “Yes, Connect” to connect it to this network, or “Choose a Different Network” to select another one
After your Outdoor Camera has connected to Wi-Fi, it will check for and apply any available updates
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Remove the mounting plate from the magnetic dome by turning it counterclockwise
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
Attach the mounting plate to the surface using the provided screws and your own Phillips head screwdriver
Twist the magnetic dome back on the mounting plate until you hear it click into place
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.
How to Install the Power Cable
Lift the cover off of the charging port that is located on the back of the Outdoor Camera
Firmly plug the micro USB end of the Power Cable into the camera, making sure that the micro USB is flush to the camera
Snap the included strain-relief clip to the cable at the top near the camera
Screw the clip into the surface near your camera, approximately 6 inches away
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
Plug the power adapter into an outdoor-rated power outlet with a waterproof cover
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.
Watch the video below for a hands-on experience from our team of experts for the installation process
Troubleshooting
Unable to set up a camera because it is already associated with another account
Wireless Outdoor Security Camera Flashing Yellow During Setup
Compliance
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Outdoor Cameras
What does “Camera Connection Dropped” mean?
A "Camera Connection Dropped" error means that during a live stream, SimpliSafe® stopped receiving video from the camera. This is often the result of poor internet connectivity between the camera and the router, causing the camera to be unable to upload video for viewing as fast as it is recording.
The video that your camera has already recorded but not yet been able to stream is stored in the camera's own internal memory. However, the camera’s memory is limited and may eventually be insufficient to hold the video backlog. If the camera's memory becomes full before it can upload the recordings, the video stream will end.
For more information on how to strengthen your camera's connection, please refer to the How to Improve Wi-Fi Signal Strength and How to Improve Upload Speed articles in the Help Center.
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Cameras
Can't Connect Camera to Wi-Fi During Setup
If you are having trouble connecting your camera to Wi-Fi during a first-time setup, we recommend making sure that your home network is configured to meet our system requirements.
A short list of requirements can be found below:
Your Wi-Fi network must be broadcasting 2.4GHz
SimpliSafe® cannot connect to 5GHz networks
Your SSID and password cannot exceed more than 31 characters each
Your network must be configured as WPA2 or WPA3/2 Mixed Mode
WPA3 only networks are not compatible with SimpliSafe® at this time
We recommend that you have your 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks separated and not merged together. Most routers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) by default will create a single network that broadcasts 2.4GHz and 5GHz at the same time. To separate the network, you may need to consult with your ISP or reach out to your router manufacturer for configuration assistance.
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.
If your phone is currently connected to a 5GHz network and you have a 2.4GHz network available, please use your phone’s Wi-Fi settings to switch the network before trying to connect the camera to Wi-Fi again.
iPhone / iOS Wi-Fi Settings:
Go to Settings on your iOS device
Choose Wi-Fi
Select the 2.4GHz network from the list of available networks
Enter your password
Tap on Join in the upper right hand corner to connect to the Wi-Fi network
Android Wi-Fi Settings:
Go to Settings on your Android device
Navigate to Wi-Fi Network
Select your 2.4GHz network from the list of available networks
Enter your password
Save to connect to the Wi-Fi network
*These steps may vary depending on your Android device. Consult with your phone's manual for further directions.
Still having trouble connecting?
There are steps you can take if your camera keeps losing Wi-Fi Connection after setup. If you continue to have trouble after taking those steps, don’t hesitate to reach out to our Support Team for further assistance.
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Cameras
How to Change your Wi-Fi for your SimpliSafe® System
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 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.
Connecting the Base Station to your new Wi-Fi using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App
Please note that these steps are only if you have a monitoring plan that supports built-in network backup. If you do not have a monitoring plan, please proceed to the Keypad steps below.
Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet
Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar, followed by Base Station Settings
Tap on ‘WiFi Network’ and follow the in-app prompts to connect to your new network
Your app will state “Yay! Your Base Station is connected” if the credentials are correct.
Tap Done to exit the Wi-Fi setup mode
Connecting the Base Station to your new Wi-Fi using the Keypad
Using your Keypad, press the Menu button
Then, enter your Master PIN
Select System Settings
Then press the right side of the screen to choose Wi-Fi, followed by Edit
Next, choose your network from the list of available options by tapping “Use”
Enter your password by using the Keypad’s buttons to type in ABC mode (this is similar to T9 which was used for texting with older cell phones)
Changing Wi-Fi Networks for Cameras
Changing your Wi-Fi using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App
Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet
Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar, followed by Camera Settings
Tap on the Camera you wish to change Wi-Fi for
Scroll down to Wi-Fi network and tap on it
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
Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet
Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar, followed by Camera Settings
Tap on your camera from the list of available products
Scroll down to the bottom and tap on “X Remove Camera”
How to Re-install Your Camera
Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App, tap on the three-bar menu (hamburger menu) in the upper left corner of the app
Choose “Add Device or Camera”
Then, select “Get Started” to proceed
Tap on the camera you wish to install from the list of available products
And follow the in-app instructions to add it back to your system
Remove your Camera from the SimpliSafe® App
Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet
Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar, followed by Camera Settings
Tap on your Video Doorbell Pro
Scroll down to the bottom and tap on “X Remove Camera”
Re-install your Video Doorbell Pro Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App
Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App, tap on the three-bar menu (hamburger menu) in the upper left corner of the app
Choose “Add Device or Camera”
Then, select “Get Started” to proceed
Tap on Video Doorbell Pro from the list of available products
And follow the in-app instructions to add it back to your system
Remove your Camera from the SimpliSafe® App
Open the SimpliSafe® Mobile App on your phone or tablet
Choose My System from the bottom navigation bar, followed by Camera Settings
Tap on your SimpliCam® Wired Indoor Security Camera
Scroll down to the bottom and tap on “X Remove Camera”
Re-install your SimpliCam® Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App
Using the SimpliSafe® Mobile App, tap on the three-bar menu (hamburger menu) in the upper left corner of the app
Choose “Add Device or Camera”
Then, select “Get Started” to proceed
Tap on SimpliCam® from the list of available products
And follow the in-app instructions to add it back to your system
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Cameras