Support & FAQ

Getting started

1. Install Camera Bridge from the Mac App Store and open it.
2. Allow Local Network access when macOS asks — Camera Bridge needs it to find and talk to your cameras.
3. Pick a discovered camera (or add one by address) and enter its user name and password.
4. Click Optimize for HomeKit and review the checklist.
5. Scan the HomeKit setup code with the Home app on your iPhone, then turn on recording in the camera's settings.

Creating an ONVIF user

Many cameras keep ONVIF users separate from the web admin account, so the password you use on the camera's web page may not work for ONVIF.

1. Open the camera's web page and sign in.
2. Find the ONVIF settings. The menu name varies: look under Network → Advanced Settings, Integration Protocol, Platform Access or Server Settings.
3. Make sure ONVIF is enabled, then add a user (Administrator or Operator).
4. Use that user in Camera Bridge.

Some cameras are set up from a phone app instead. Look in the app's advanced settings for a Camera Account or Device Account, create a user name and password there, and use those (not your cloud account) in Camera Bridge.

Many cameras lock out logins after several wrong passwords. If that happens, Camera Bridge pauses ONVIF logins to that camera for up to 30 minutes and shows when it will try again.

Local Network permission

If cameras aren't found or connections fail, open System Settings → Privacy & Security → Local Network and make sure Camera Bridge is turned on.

Keep your Mac awake

Camera Bridge runs on your Mac, so cameras are only available in Apple Home while the Mac is on and awake. In System Settings → Energy (or Battery → Options on a laptop), turn on Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off. A Mac mini that stays plugged in works well. Camera Bridge can also start at login.

Why isn't recording working?

• HomeKit Secure Video needs a home hub (Apple TV or HomePod) and an iCloud+ plan.
• Check the camera's recording options in the Home app.
• Run Optimize for HomeKit — a long keyframe interval is the most common cause of missing clips.

Does any video go to Corey Silvia?

No. See the Privacy Policy.

Still stuck?

Email me@coreysilvia.com with your camera's make and model and what the checklist shows. Please don't send passwords.