My Security Camera App Works on Mobile Data but Not WiFi

Although security cameras are a great way to keep an eye on your home or business, there can be some issues while setting up the mobile app. For example, if you’re using a security camera app on your mobile device, it may work fine when you’re on mobile data but not when you’re on WiFi.

Why does my security app work on mobile data but not on WiFi? NAT loopback is a feature that allows users on a WiFi network to access other devices such as security cameras on the same network via the public IP address instead of the local IP address. You will not be able to connect to your cameras on WiFi if your router is blocking NAT loopback.

This means that if you’re trying to use a security camera app on your mobile device while on WiFi, it may not work because the router is blocking the traffic.

To get around this, you can try using a VPN service that will route your traffic through a public IP address and bypass the router’s restrictions, or you can try connecting to the camera’s local IP address directly.

Using a VPN service

VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, and not only will it allow you to bypass the router’s restrictions, but it will also encrypt your traffic so that anyone snooping on the connection won’t be able to see what you’re doing.

We also recommend using a VPN service on your mobile devices to protect your privacy, passwords, and sensitive information while on public networks, but it’s especially useful in this case.

There are many VPN services available, and they vary in price and features. Some of the more popular ones include ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and IPV.

We recommend a VPN solution for most users with limited technical knowledge as it is much simpler to set up and use. If you’re not sure which VPN service to use, we recommend ExpressVPN as it offers a great mix of speed, security, and ease of use.

Once you’ve signed up for a VPN service, simply download their app, connect to a server, and launch your security camera app. It should now work as intended.

Setting up the camera app with your DVR’s local IP address

If you don’t want to spend money on a VPN service or you’re comfortable working with networking settings, you can try connecting to your cameras directly using its local IP address.

To do this, you’ll first need to find out what your DVR’s local IP address is. You can find the IP address in the DVR’s network settings. Once you have the IP address, open the app and enter the IP address in the settings.

I will explain how to do this in detail below.

What is a local IP address?

A local IP address is an address that is assigned to your DVR. This is the address used by your DVR to communicate with other devices on the same network.

An example of your DVR’s local IP address is 192.168.1.20, and you can find it in the network settings in all DVRs.

In this post, I will explain how to set up the ivms-4500 app for Hikvision cameras and the DMSS (iDMSS and GDMSS) for Dahua cameras, but these instructions apply to almost all other cameras since they mostly use the same method.

Hikvision ivms-4500 IP address and port settings:

These instructions apply to most versions of Hikvision DVRs and NVRs. Your menu settings may be slightly different.

1. Login to your DVR, and using the mouse, right-click anywhere on the screen to pull up the menu.
2. Go to System Configuration.
3. Select the Network settings.
4. You will find the DVRs IP address in the General or Advanced Settings.
5. In the Network settings, go to the More tab and find the server port.
6. The Server Port is 8000 by default, but your installer may have changed it.
7. Write down the DVR’s IP address and server port.

Setting up the ivms-4500 app

1. Log into the ivms-4500 app
2. Press the Menu icon on the upper left-hand corner of the screen
3. Select Devices
4. Press the + (plus) icon on the upper right-hand corner of the screen to add a device
5. Select Manual Adding

Enter the following information:

1. Alias: Home WiFi
2. Register Mode: select IP/Domain
3. Address: enter your DVRs IP address
4. Port: enter 8000 or whatever your DVRs server port is
5. User Name: enter your username
6. Password: enter your password
7. Press the save icon on the upper right-hand corner to save the settings.
8. Press Start Live View on the bottom of the screen to view your cameras.

If the connection fails, double-check the information you entered and try again.

After you save your settings and you can view your cameras, press the menu in the upper left-hand corner and select Live View.

Press the camera icon on the upper right-hand corner, and now you will see two devices in the drop-down list.

The first one is the device settings you previously had, and you can view while on mobile data, and the second device is the one we just created named Home WiFi.

You can select Home WiFi to view your cameras when you are home on your WiFi.

Dahua DMSS app IP address and port settings:

1. Log into your DVR and right-click anywhere on the screen
2. Select Main Menu
3. In the Settings options select Network
4. In the Network menus, select TCP/IP to view the IP address
5. You will see your IP and TCP port
6. If you don’t see the TCP port click on the connections tab
7. The TCP port is 37777 by default, but your installer may have changed it
8. Write down your IP address and TCP port number

Setting up the DMSS (iDMSS or gDMSS) app:

Depending on the version, the settings may be different in your app

1. Log into the DMSS app
2. Press the + (plus) icon on the upper right-hand corner of the screen to add a device
3. Select DVR/XVR if you have an analog system
4. Select NVR if you have an IP system

Enter the following information:

1. Add Mode: IP/Domain
2. Port: enter 37777 or the port number found in your settings
3. Address: enter your DVRs IP address
4. Device Name: Home WiFi
5. User Name: enter your username
6. Password: enter your password
7. Press Save on the upper right-hand corner to save the settings.

If the connection fails, double-check the information you entered and try again.

Go back to the Home screen, and now you will see two devices.

The first one is the device settings you previously had, and you can view while on mobile data, and the second device is the one we just created named Home WiFi.

You can select Home WiFi to view your cameras when you are home on your WiFi.

Setting up other mobile apps:

• If you are using a different mobile app, the process is similar.
• You will need the IP address and port number of your DVR.
• Login to your DVR and find the network settings.
• Write down the IP address and port number.
• Open your mobile app and add a device.
• Enter the IP address and port number.
• Save the settings and try to view your cameras.

Contact the support team for your mobile app or DVR if you still have trouble.

Conclusion

You should now be able to view your cameras on your mobile app while on your home WiFi. Another option is to set up your cameras using the P2P settings. If you are still having trouble, contact your security company for support.