When you increase your home’s security by adding security cameras, you’ll want to be able to see their feeds no matter what. Some manufacturers have an app you can use to view the stream, but if you don’t, there’s another way to watch. You can view it via a simple web browser.

Although each brand has its specifics for viewing cameras, or usernames and passwords to log in, there is a general way to view each camera. Here are some step-by-step instructions on viewing any general IP camera.

This method of viewing your camera over the Internet involves port forwarding. To change your ports, you must be able to adjust your router settings. Changing the settings can be done through an internet browser or the manufacturer’s app once you can access these settings. After that, we can prepare everything to be viewed through a standard browser.

Viewing your IP camera feed

Step 1: Find your camera’s IP address.

This will be different for each manufacturer but should be relatively easy to find.

2nd step: Access this IP address in your browser.

You will need to be at home with your camera on the same internet to do this successfully. Once you have changed the router settings, you will be able to do so anywhere in the world.

Step 3: Check the browser connection settings to see which port the camera is using.

You might want to change it to something different from the default, since some ISPs are picky with default ports.

Step 4: Restart the camera and log back into your browser.

Step 5: Find your router’s WAN/external IP address.

You’ll want to write it down because you’ll need it to log into your camera each time. Setting a dynamic IP address will help, so you don’t have to constantly check this number, but it does have its list of pros and cons. This can be found by accessing your router settings online. Some routers will have a website to check or an app, while others may just tell you to go to an address like 192.168.1.1 to access the settings.

Step 6: Replace your router’s port forwarding numbers with your camera’s port number.

It’s something else you’ll need to change through your router’s settings online. There should be an advanced networking section on the site or app with a category name like “port forwarding”. Different routers, brands, and apps will have different ways of changing this information.

Essentially, port forwarding allows data from one device to go directly to another device, bypassing general rules and without revealing other information between devices. This allows you to view your camera feed from anywhere without leaving your computer particularly vulnerable.

Step 7: Restart your camera one more time and you should be able to see your feed from your computer’s browser.

It doesn’t matter what device you use to watch your cameras when you follow these steps. As long as it’s something that can access a web browser, you’ll be fine. Again, using the manufacturer’s apps or the standard connection will be much easier than following this method. This method should be used as a fallback if the brand does not have a service connection.

Can you watch security cameras online?

You will need to be connected to the internet to watch your stream online. The better quality of the internet you are on will result in higher quality and less buffered stream.

How can I see my security cameras on my phone?

Viewing your security camera on your phone will be similar to viewing on a computer. Once everything is set up, you can use Chrome, Safari or any other browser to view the camera feed.

That’s all it takes to watch your IP camera through a web browser. This is an alternative option for checking your camera feeds if you’re away from home or want to set up some sort of “security post” on your computer.

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