How to set up a Xiaomi IP camera step by step

Before you remove the camera from its protective film, you need to prepare your network environment. The biggest challenge for first-time users is the fact that almost 100% of Xiaomi cameras (from the Mi Home Security series, such as C200, C300, C400 or C500) operate exclusively on the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band. This band offers longer range and better wall penetration than 5 GHz, which is crucial for monitoring, but it requires extra attention when configuring your router.

• Band separation: If your router uses the “Smart Connect” feature (one network name for both bands), the camera may have authorization issues. It is recommended to temporarily split the network into two names (e.g. MyWiFi_2.4G and MyWiFi_5G).

• Location and power supply: Choose a place not only with a good view, but also with a stable signal. Thick reinforced concrete walls can weaken the signal by 50–70%. Connect the camera using the original power adapter — a charger from an old phone that is too weak may cause the camera to restart when the pan/tilt motors are working or when the infrared LEDs turn on at night.

• First start: The status LED should blink orange. If it does not, perform a “hard reset.” Locate the hole labeled “Reset” (often hidden under the lens on pan-and-tilt models) and hold the button for about 10 seconds until you hear a voice message confirming that factory settings have been restored.

Xiaomi Home app – account setup and regional pitfalls

The Xiaomi Home app is the control center for your entire smart home. Its configuration is simple, but it includes one “trap” that can block the device at the very beginning: region selection. Xiaomi uses so-called geofencing — devices purchased for the Chinese market (CN versions) are often not visible on European servers.

When logging in to your Mi Account, make sure you grant the app all required permissions: Bluetooth, Location (necessary for scanning Wi-Fi networks), and Storage access. Without location permissions, Android/iOS will not allow the app to retrieve your Wi-Fi network name, which makes automatic pairing impossible.

Pairing process: from QR code to full synchronization

Once the app is ready, tap the “+” icon and select “Add device.” If Bluetooth is enabled, your camera icon should appear at the top of the screen as a nearby device. If it does not, scan the QR code located on the camera housing or in the manual.

The most important moment is transferring the Wi-Fi credentials. Enter your network password (remember it is case-sensitive!), and a QR code will appear on your phone screen. This is the camera’s “entry ticket” to your network.

1. Set your phone screen brightness to maximum.

2. Point the phone screen toward the camera lens from a distance of about 15 cm.

3. Wait for the message “QR Code Scanned” or “Waiting for connection.”

4. The camera will start communicating with the server. If the process stops at 90%, it usually means an incorrect Wi-Fi password or a signal that is too weak.

After success, the LED will turn solid blue. In the app, you can name the camera (e.g. “Hallway”) and create a shortcut on your phone’s home screen, allowing one-tap live view.

Recording management: SD card, cloud, and NAS servers

A Xiaomi camera without recording is just a viewer. You have three main ways to store data, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.

• microSD card: This is the foundation. Choose High Endurance cards designed for continuous operation (standard cards can fail after a few months of constant overwriting). The recommended capacity is 64 GB or 128 GB. In the settings, you can select “24/7 continuous recording” or “Motion detection only.” The second option allows a 64 GB card to store up to a month of footage.

• Xiaomi Cloud Storage: A paid subscription-based service. Its biggest advantage is security — if a thief steals the camera together with the SD card, the footage from the break-in will still be available in the cloud on your account.

• NAS transfer (SMB): This is an option for advanced users. If you have a network storage device at home (e.g. Synology, QNAP) or a router with a USB drive, you can configure the camera to periodically copy recordings from the SD card to your server. It is a free alternative to the cloud and provides huge space for archived videos.

Smart monitoring and AI: how to avoid false alarms?

Modern Xiaomi cameras are not just about video — they use advanced video processing algorithms. In the “Home Surveillance Assistant” menu, you’ll find tools that prevent your phone from alerting you every five minutes because of a shadow on the floor.

The most important feature is Human Detection (AI Human Detection). Thanks to this, the processor inside the camera analyzes shapes and sends a push notification only when it recognizes a human silhouette. You can also set sensitivity (Low/Medium/High) and a schedule — for example, monitoring active only at night or when you are at the office.

Another feature is Motion Tracking (on PTZ, pan-and-tilt models). After detecting movement, the camera will physically rotate its head to follow the intruder. This is very effective as a deterrent, but be aware: in small rooms with many mirrors or pets, this feature may cause the camera to “lose” the subject and end up facing a wall. It is worth testing this setting individually for each interior.

Image customization and Google/Alexa integration

The final touch involves image quality settings. In the “Camera settings” menu, you will find the “Image settings” option. If you mount the camera on the ceiling, be sure to select Rotate image 180°. If the image is too dark on bright days, enable WDR (Wide Dynamic Range) — this algorithm pulls details from shadows without overexposing windows.

For fans of modern technology, Xiaomi offers full integration with Google Home and Amazon Alexa. After linking accounts (Mi Home with Google Home), you can issue a voice command such as: “Hey Google, show me the Living Room on TV,” and the camera feed will appear on your Chromecast-enabled TV or smart display.

It is also worth checking the “Automation” section. You can create rules such as: “If the camera detects a person after 11:00 PM, turn on a Xiaomi smart bulb in the hallway and play an alarm sound.” This turns simple monitoring into a full-fledged security system.