Xiaomi Small Square Smart Camera: Full A-Z setup

Xiaomi continues to surprise users with affordable and functional smart home devices. One of the most popular innovations in recent years is Xiaomi Small Square Smart Camera (model). XMCXGG02LM), It combines compact design, high quality shooting and extensive integration with the Mi Home ecosystem, but even such a simple device requires the right setup to unleash the full potential: From basic Wi-Fi connectivity to fine-tuning motion detection and night vision.

In this article, we will look at all the steps of setting up the camera, from unpacking to hidden features that are not mentioned in the official instructions. You will learn how to avoid typical connection errors, optimize your work with cloud storage, and even set up automatic recording when you detect movement.

1. Unpacking and preparation of the chamber for operation

Before setting up, make sure that you have all the necessary elements in the setup with the Xiaomi Small Square Smart Camera:

• 📦 The magnetic-base camera itself
• 🔌 Cable USB Type-C for power supply (length 1.5 m)
• 🔌 Power supply with adapter (5V/1A or 5V/2A depending on the region)
• 📄 Short instructions in several languages (including Russian)
• 🧲 Double-sided tape for fastening (in some sets)

It is important to check the integrity of the package and the absence of mechanical damage to the camera body. Pay special attention to the lens - it should be clean, without scratches or dust. If you plan to install the camera outside (even though the model is not positioned as a street), we recommend you immediately purchase a silicone case to protect against moisture.

⚠️ Note: Xiaomi Small Square Smart Camera does not have a built-in battery and requires a constant connection to the network. If you plan to use it in places without outlets, you will need Power Bank with support for constant current (Always On function).

Before first inclusion:

1. Connect the Type-C cable to the camera and power supply.
2. Insert the power supply in the socket - the camera should emit an audible signal and blink with a blue LED.
3. Wait until the indicator starts flashing orange (connection waiting mode).

2. Wi-Fi connection and Mi Home app

To set up the camera, you will need the official Mi Home app (available for Android and iOS). If you do not already have a Xiaomi account, register it in advance - this is a prerequisite for working with the brand's smart devices.

• 🤖 Mi Home for Android
• 🍎 Mi Home for iOS

Connection process:

1. Open Mi Home and go to Devices → Add Device (+).
2. Select the Camera category and find the Xiaomi Small Square Smart Camera (or scan it). QR-camera-code).
3. Follow the instructions on the screen: the app will prompt you to connect to the camera’s time network (the name will start with the camera’s name). XMCXGG_XXXX).
4. Once connected, go back to Mi Home and select your home Wi-Fi network (2.4GHz only!).
5. Wait until the setup is completed (around) 1-2 The camera will be able to send a voice message in Chinese, which is normal.

⚠️ Note: The camera does not support 5 GHz networks. If your router only works in the 5 GHz band, you will have to temporarily switch to 2.4 GHz or use a separate repeater.

If the camera is not connected:

• 🔄 Restart your router and camera (turn off power for 10 seconds).
• 📶 Check that the Wi-Fi signal is stable (use the Wi-Fi Analyzer app for analysis).
• 🔐 Make sure that the Wi-Fi password does not contain Cyrillic characters or special characters (e.g., #, $).

Check the Wi-Fi range (2.4GHz only)|

The camera charger is connected to the socket|

Mi Home app updated to latest version|

Password from Wi-Fi without Cyrillic and special characters|-->

3. Basic camera settings in Mi Home

Once connected successfully, the camera will appear in the device list in Mi Home, click on it to open the control panel, and the following basic settings are available:

Pay special attention to setting up activity zones. By default, the camera responds to movement anywhere in the frame, which leads to false positives (for example, from swaying curtains or pets) to reduce the number of unnecessary notifications:

1. Go to Camera Settings → Motion Detection → Activity Zones.
2. Draw rectangles with your finger in areas where movement is really important (such as a door or sofa).
3. Save the changes and test by walking around the room.

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If the camera is mounted opposite the window, turn off motion detection in that area or reduce sensitivity.Sunlight and shadows often cause false positives.

4. Set up cloud storage and local record

Xiaomi Small Square Smart Camera supports two ways to store records:

1. Cloud Mi Cloud - paid subscription (from 99 rubles / month for 7 days of storage).
2. Local storage – recording on a microSD card (up to 64 GB, class 10 or higher).

For most users, the best solution would be a combined approach: save important events (such as motion detection) to the cloud, and keep a permanent record on a memory card, to configure local storage:

1. Turn off the camera and insert the microSD card into the slot on the back (under the lid).
2. Turn on the camera and wait for the initialization of the card (the indicator will flash green).
3. In the Mi Home app, go to Settings → Local storage.
4. Select the recording mode: 🔄 Continuous recording — 24/7, but fills out the map quickly. 🚨 Event only – recording when moving / sound (saves space).

Cyclical

For cloud storage:

• 📁 Go to Settings. → Cloud storage.
• 💳 Select the tariff (free trial period - 7 days).
• ⚙️ Set up what events to save (movement, sound, all events).

⚠️ Note: When using a microSD card, format it only through the camera menu in Mi Home. Formatting on a PC can lead to recording errors.

5.Integration with other Xiaomi devices

One of the key advantages of the Xiaomi Small Square Smart Camera is its compatibility with the Mi Home ecosystem, where you can link the camera to other devices to create automated scripts.

• 🔦 When detecting motion, the camera includes Xiaomi Smart Lamp.
• 🔊 The camera sends a notification to the Xiaomi Smart Band when the sensor is triggered.
• 🚪 If the Xiaomi Door Sensor detects the door opening, the camera will start recording.

To set up automation:

1. Open Mi Home and go to Automation → Create.
2. Select If (condition) and specify an event (e.g., Camera Motion Detected).
3. Press the To (action) and select the device to react (e.g., Turn on the lamp).
4. Save the script and test it out.

You can also connect the camera to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa for voice control.

1. In Mi Home, go to Profile → Settings → Voice Assistants.
2. Select Google Assistant or Alexa and follow the linking instructions.
3. After synchronization, tell the voice assistant, "Show the camera in the kitchen" (for the smart display). "Switch on the camera in the hallway."

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Automation scenarios only work if all devices are connected to the same Mi Home account and are on the same Wi-Fi network.

Advanced functions: face detection, two-way communication and PTZ

Xiaomi Small Square Smart Camera supports several “hidden” features that are not always obvious to users.

Detection of persons (AI-recognition)

The camera can distinguish people from animals or moving objects, reducing the number of false positives.

1. Go to Settings. → Motion detection → Human recognition.
2. Activate the option Only people.
3. Add Familiar Faces if you wish (the feature works via the cloud and requires a subscription).

Bilateral audio communication

The camera has a microphone and a speaker built in, so you can talk through it like you're on a radio.

• 🎤 Live press the microphone button in the lower right corner.
• 🔈 Speak to the phone's microphone - sound will be transmitted through the camera speaker.
• 🔇 To turn off the camera microphone (for privacy), go to Settings → Confidentiality.

Turning control (PTZ)

Although the camera does not have a physical rotary mechanism, you can set up a virtual view (digital zoom and change angle) in the settings.

• 🖥️ In viewing mode, make a gesture with a mixing/breeding of your fingers for zooming.
• 👆 Drag the image with your finger to change the angle of view (the camera uses digital processing).

Note that digital zoom reduces image quality, so it’s best to physically position the camera so that important areas are in the center of the shot.

7. Solving common problems

Even after setting up properly, users may encounter typical problems, including the most common ones and ways to solve them:

If the camera is getting stuck (does not respond to commands, flashes orange), perform a hard reset:

1. Turn off the power to the camera.
2. Press and hold the Reset button (on the back) for 10 seconds.
3. Connect the power, the camera will return to factory settings.

⚠️ Warning: Reset will delete all settings, including the link to the Mi Home account, and after reset, the camera will have to reconnect, as in the first run.

8. Firmware Update and Security

Regular firmware updates fix bugs, add new features and improve security to check for updates:

1. Open your Mi Home and select your camera.
2. Go to Settings → General → Update firmware.
3. If a new version is available, click Update.

It is important to keep an eye on updates, as older versions of firmware may contain vulnerabilities. 2023 In the year in some cameras Xiaomi was discovered a vulnerability that allows attackers to access the video stream. 1.4.6_0039 problem was fixed.

For additional protection:

• 🔒 Enable Two-Factor Authentication in your Mi Home account.
• 🌐 Change the camera name in the settings (it contains the serial number by default).
• 📵 Disable access to the camera from Guest Mode if you are not using it.
• 🔄 Regularly (once in) 1-2 Change the password from your Xiaomi account.

If you suspect that an outsider has accessed your camera:

1. Reset the camera to factory settings (Reset button) immediately.
2. Change the password from your Mi Home account.
3. Check the list of devices in the Profile → Security → Accessible devices.

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Never use a firmware camera older than 2023, which increases the risk of hacking.The current firmware version can be found in Settings → General. → The camera.

FAQ: Answers to Frequent Questions