How to connect Xiaomi camera to laptop: all ways 2026

Introduction: Why connect Xiaomi camera to laptop?

Xiaomi cameras are some of the most popular surveillance devices, thanks to a combination of price, quality and functionality. But what if you want to display an image from the camera directly to the laptop screen? For example, for streaming, recording video tutorials, remote surveillance without a smartphone or integration into the smart home system via a PC. The official Mi Home or Xiaomi Home apps are designed for mobile devices, and connecting to a computer requires workarounds.

In this article, we will analyze all the current ways to connect Xiaomi cameras to a laptop: from simple to simple. USB-connections (for models with connector) to complex circuits through RTSP-You will also learn what programs you need, how to set up a network for stable broadcasting and what to do if the camera is not determined by the system.Β°, Xiaomi MiJia 1080p, Xiaomi Smart Camera C400 others.

⚠️ Not all Xiaomi cameras support direct connection to PCs, for example, models without USB-The port (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Home Camera) 2K) You can only connect via the network. RTSP You can check the compatibility of your model in the table below.

What Xiaomi cameras can be connected to a laptop?

Before you start setting up, make sure your camera is technically capable of streaming video to a laptop.Most Xiaomi devices fall into three categories:

  • πŸ”Œ S USB-Port: You can connect directly via cable (e.g. Xiaomi Mi) PC Camera, Xiaomi Webcam 1080p). They work like standard webcams.
  • πŸ“Ά Wi-Fi only: Settings are required RTSP-streaming or using cloud services (e.g. Mi Home Security Camera 360)Β°, Xiaomi Smart Camera C200).
  • ⚠️ Closed models: Some cameras (e.g. Xiaomi Mi Home Camera 2) do not support RTSP and can only be connected via the official application.

Below is the compatibility table of popular models:

Camera modelUSB-portSupport for RTSPSupport for ONVIFHow to connect to a PC
Xiaomi Mi PC Cameraβœ… Yes.❌ No.❌ No.Straight. USB, webcam
Xiaomi Mi Home Security Camera 360Β° 1080p❌ No.βœ… Yeah (set-up)❌ No.RTSP, cloud, TinyCam
Xiaomi Smart Camera C400❌ No.βœ… Yes.βœ… Yes.RTSP, ONVIF, VLC, iSpy
Xiaomi MiJia 1080p❌ No.βœ… Yeah)❌ No.RTSP post-activation

If your model is not in the table, check its characteristics on the official Xiaomi website or in the documents. USB-Port protocol will need to be included RTSP β€” more about this in the next section.

πŸ“Š What Xiaomi Camera Are You Using?
Mi Home Security Camera 360Β°
Xiaomi Smart Camera C400
Xiaomi Mi PC Camera
Another model
I don't know.

Method 1: Connecting Xiaomi Camera to USB (plug-on)

This is the easiest method, but it only works for cameras. USB-port, for example, Xiaomi Mi PC Camera or Xiaomi Webcam 1080p. Such devices are defined by the laptop as standard webcams and do not require complex settings.

Step-by-step:

  1. Connect the camera to the laptop via USB-Type-C or USB-A cable (depending on the model).
  2. Wait for the drivers to install. Windows usually recognizes the device automatically.
  3. Open any video calling app (Zoom, Skype, OBS Studio) and select Xiaomi camera in video settings.

⚠️ Warning: If the camera is not detected, check:

  • πŸ”Œ Do you use the original cable (not all) USB-cables support data transmission).
  • πŸ–₯️ Are the drivers on the laptop updated (especially for the chipset and USB-port).
  • πŸ”„ Try to connect the camera to another. USB-port (preferably) USB 3.0).

To check the camera, you can use the standard Camera application in Windows:

  1. Press Win. + S and enter β€œCameraΒ».
  2. Select the application and allow access to the device.
  3. If the image is available, the camera is ready to use.

β˜‘οΈ Checking the connection USB

Done: 0 / 4

Method 2: Connecting to Wi-Fi via RTSP (mostly IP-camera)

If your Xiaomi camera doesn’t have one USB-The port (e.g. Mi Home Security Camera 360)Β°), The only way to display video on your laptop is to use the protocol. RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol: This method requires pre-configuring the camera and the program to view the stream.

Step 1: Activate. RTSP camera-wise

By default. RTSP It's turned off on most of Xiaomi's cameras:

  1. Open the Mi Home app on your smartphone.
  2. Go to the camera settings: Device settings β†’ Additionally. β†’ Protocol RTSP.
  3. Turn on the switch and copy the link RTSP-flow (usually of the form) rtsp://[IP_camera]/live/ch00_0).

⚠️ Note: Some cameras (e.g. Xiaomi MiJia) 1080p) RTSP If the option is not on the menu, check the region of the device in the Mi Home settings (should be Mainland China, Russia or Other).

Step 2: Find out IP-camera

To connect to RTSP need local IP-The camera address on your network, you can find it:

  • πŸ“± In the Mi Home app: Device settings β†’ General information β†’ Local area network.
  • πŸ–₯️ Through the router: Go to the router’s web interface (usually 192.168.0.1 or 192.168.1.1) and find the device by name (e.g. lumi.camera).

Step 3: Viewing the stream on the laptop

For reproduction RTSP-stream will fit the program:

  • 🎬 VLC Media Player (free of charge):
  • πŸ‘οΈ iSpy (for recording and monitoring):

Critical detail: If the video is slowing down or interrupted, reduce the resolution of the stream in the camera settings (for example, with a camera setting). 1080p before 720p) Or use a wired connection of the laptop to the router.

rtsp://[IP]:554/stream1

rtsp://[IP]:554/onvif1

Xiaomi

Method 3: Emulation of the webcam through OBS Studio (for streaming)

If you want to use Xiaomi’s camera for streaming on Twitch, YouTube or video conferencing, it doesn’t have one. USB-port, you can turn RTSP-streaming into a virtual webcam using OBS Studio and plugin OBS Virtual Camera.

Instructions:

  1. Install OBS Studio from the official website.
  2. Add a source of media source (Sources) β†’ Add β†’ Media Source).
  3. Put it in. RTSP-camera reference (e.g, rtsp://192.168.0.100:554/live/ch00_0).
  4. Install the plugin OBS Virtual Camera (Tools β†’ Virtual Camera).
  5. In a streaming program (such as Zoom), select as the camera. OBS Virtual Camera.

⚠️ Note: This method adds delay to the 1-3 It's a second because of the flow processing. For professional streamers, it's better to use direct cameras. USB-connection.

Alternative programs for emulation of webcam:

  • πŸŽ₯ ManyCam supports RTSP and allows for effects.
  • πŸ–₯️ DroidCam can transmit video from IP-Cameras as from a webcam (requires an Android device as an intermediary).

πŸ’‘

Emulation of webcams through OBS β€” only way to use IP-Xiaomi camera without Zoom, Skype or Discord USB-port.

Method 4: Connecting through cloud services (without a cloud connection) RTSP)

If your camera doesn't support RTSP (For example, older Mi Home Camera models, you can display the image on your laptop through cloud services, and the downside is the Internet dependency and possible delay.

Option 1: TinyCam Pro (via Android emulator)

TinyCam Pro allows you to view Xiaomi cameras on your PC through an Android emulator (e.g. BlueStacks):

  1. Install BlueStacks and log in to your Google account.
  2. Download TinyCam Pro from Google Play in the emulator.
  3. Add the camera to your Mi Home account.
  4. Enable Desktop Mode in BlueStacks for easy viewing.

Option 2: Mi Home Web (unofficial web interface)

Mi Home Web allows you to manage Xiaomi devices via the browser:

  1. Sign in to the site through your Xiaomi account.
  2. Select your camera from the list of devices.
  3. Click on the video icon to watch the broadcast.

⚠️ Note: Unofficial services may violate Xiaomi’s privacy policy. Do not enter data from your main account – use a separate email.

Problem Solving: The camera doesn’t connect to the laptop

If none of these methods worked, check the following points:

Problem.Possible causeDecision
The camera is not detected by USB.There are no drivers.Install the driver manually through Device Manager (download from Xiaomi’s website)
RTSP-flowWrong. IP-portCheck it out. IP Check that port 554 is open.
Video slows or tearsWeak Wi-Fi signalConnect your laptop and camera to your router via cable or use a Wi-Fi repeater
Authentication error in RTSPLogin/password requiredAdd the username and password from the camera: rtsp://login:password@IP:554/live/ch00_0

Additional advice:

  • πŸ”„ Reboot your camera and router – it solves 30% of connection problems.
  • πŸ›‘οΈ Turn off the firewall or antivirus – they can block RTSP-flow.
  • πŸ“‘ If you use RTSP Outside the local network, set up port port port port port port on the router (port 554).
How to check if port 554 is open on your router?
Open the command line on your laptop and type: telnet [IP_camera] 554 If the connection is established, the port is open. If not, check the router settings or turn off the firewall.

FAQ: Frequent questions about connecting Xiaomi camera to laptop

Can I connect to the Xiaomi Mi Home Camera? 2K laptop-less RTSP?
No, Xiaomi Mi Home Camera 2K lacking USB-port and do not support RTSP The only options are: Use TinyCam Pro via Android emulator. Update the firmware to the international version (risky, can void the warranty).
How to reduce video delay when connecting RTSP?
The delay is caused by the coding of the flow. To reduce it: Reduce the resolution of the camera to 720p. Use a wired connection (Ethernet) for your laptop. Enable Low Latency mode in your settings VLC or iSpy.
Can you record video from Xiaomi camera to laptop automatically?
Yes, it's good for software: iSpy supports recording schedule and motion detection. Blue Iris is a professional video surveillance software (paid). VLC β€” You can set up a stream to file (Media) β†’ Convert/Save).
Why Xiaomi’s camera shuts down after 5 minutes when you watch it RTSP?
This is the standard energy saving setting in some models. Solutions: In the Mi Home app, disable the Energy Saving option. Update the camera firmware to the latest version. Use a keepalive script to maintain the connection (e.g., through Python).
Can I connect a Xiaomi camera to a MacBook?
All of the above methods work on macOS. RTSP use VLC Or QuickTime Player. Set up a webcam emulation. OBS Virtual Camera or CamTwist. USB-The cameras are automatically installed.