How Do I Use My Phone to Look at My Security Cameras?

You can use your phone to look at your security cameras by using either Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com. Both TC2 and ADC offer free mobile apps that you can use to check the live feed of your cameras. You will need to have video surveillance service from an alarm company to use cameras.

Being able to check the live feed for your security camera from your phone is very convenient. This can provide you with great peace of mind in knowing that everything is okay while you are away from your property. At Alarm Grid, we offer video monitoring plans that will allow you to use security cameras in your home or business. If you are also using a security system, then you will want a Platinum Level Plan (Self or Full). If you only want service for security cameras, then you should check out our Video Only Plan.

Once you have video monitoring service, you will want to get some cameras. The cameras you should get will depend on which interactive monitoring platform you are using. Alarm Grid supports the Total Connect 2.0 platform and the Alarm.com platform. Which platform you use will depend on which security system you get. If don't have a security system and you are just using cameras with a Video Only Plan, then you can choose either based on preference. Total Connect 2.0 users will need to choose from TC2 IP Cameras, while Alarm.com users will need to select from ADC IP Cameras. You cannot mix TC2 and ADC Cameras.

To access the live feed for your cameras from your phone, you must use the appropriate mobile app. If you are using Total Connect 2.0, then you should download the Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App. If you are using Alarm.com, then you should download the Alarm.com Mobile App. Both mobile apps can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store for Android users, or from the Apple App Store for iOS users. Once you have downloaded the necessary mobile app, you can login using your credentials to access your cameras.

For the purpose of this FAQ, we will assume that you have already signed up for monitoring service, installed your cameras, enrolled them with either Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com, and downloaded either the TC2 or ADC App. Complete the following steps to use your phone to look at your security cameras:

1. Access the mobile app. On your phone, open up either the Total Connect 2.0 Mobile App or the Alarm.com Mobile App. Login to your account using your username and password. If you are having trouble, you can try resetting the password, or you can get your monitoring company to help you.

2. Find the cameras menu. After successfully logging in, there should be a cameras menu. This may also be called a video menu. The location of this menu may differ depending on whether you are using TC2 or ADC. It may also differ depending on whether you are using Android or iOS. Some likely locations for the menu include on the left side of the screen, on the menu bar at the top, or within the more options button (three horizontal bars). In any case, find this menu before continuing.

3. Choose a camera. Within the cameras menu, you will need to choose which camera you want to view. Click on the camera that you want to view. After loading, you should be presented with the live camera feed.