Xiaomi cameras are some of the most popular video surveillance devices, thanks to their combination of price, quality and functionality. However, many users are faced with the problem of how to view video from the camera not only on a smartphone via the Mi Home, but also on a large computer screen, which is relevant for office owners, shop owners or just those who want to control the house from a desktop PC.
In this article, we will discuss all the current ways to connect Xiaomi cameras (including the Mi Home Security Camera 360 models).°, Mi Camera 2K, Mi Home Camera PTZ And others) to a computer running Windows, macOS or even Linux, and you'll learn how to set up browsing through a browser, specialized programs, RTSP-Stream and Cloud Services – with the latest updates in 2026.
Importantly, the methods vary in complexity, stability and network requirements, such as firmware cameras after 2023 can block direct access over RTSP without any additional settings, and we'll go through each option in detail, including circumventing constraints and solving common bugs.
1. View through the web version of Mi Home (the easiest way)
If you need to quickly view Xiaomi’s camera on your computer without installing software, use the web version of the Mi Home app.This method works for most models (except for the outdated Mi Camera 1S and similar ones).
Instructions:
- 🌐 Go to the official website: home.mi.com.
- 🔑 Sign in with the same Mi Account as in the mobile app.
- 📹 In the Devices section, select your camera - the broadcast will open in the browser.
- ⚙️ For management PTZ-with cameras (with rotary mechanism) use a virtual joystick on the screen.
Limitations of the method:
- ❌ No video recording, only real-time viewing.
- ❌ Image delay can reach 2-5 seconds.
- ❌ Does not work in Safari browsers (for macOS, use Chrome or Edge).
2.Use of the Mi Home application for Windows/macOS
For more stable viewing and access to the archive of records, install the desktop version of Mi Home. It supports all the features of the mobile application, including:
- 📅 View records from the last 7-30 days (depending on model and subscription).
- 🔔 Set up traffic notifications.
- 🔄 Managing multiple cameras simultaneously.
You can download the program from the official website:
- 🖥️ Windows (10/11).
- 🍎 macOS (Intel/Apple Silicon).
After installation:
- Open the program and log in to your Mi Account.
- In the Devices section, find the camera - click on it to view.
- To record the video, press the Record button (🎥) lower-right.
Download the installer from the official website|Disable the antivirus (can block the installation)|Use a Mi Account with administrator rights|Check the stability of the Internet connection-->
⚠️ Note: If the camera doesn’t appear in the desktop app, check that it’s tied to the same region in Mi Home (e.g. Russia or China). You can change region in the mobile app settings, but this will result in all devices being reset!
3. RTSP connection (for power users)
RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) allows you to receive a direct video stream from the camera without Xiaomi cloud servers.
- 📼 Integration with video surveillance systems (Blue Iris, iSpy, ZoneMinder).
- 🖥️ Viewing through media players (VLC, PotPlayer).
- 🔒 Local storage of records without cloud.
However, since 2023, Xiaomi has disabled RTSP by default on new firmware to activate it:
- Open the Mi Home mobile app.
- Go to the camera settings → Additional → RTSP protocol.
- Enable the option and copy the view link: rtsp://[USERNAME]:[PASSWORD]@[IP_Cameras]:554/stream1 where [USERNAME] and [PASSWORD] — login data (often admin and an empty password by default).
If RTSP is not on the menu, your model does not support the protocol, in which case an alternative firmware (such as Hack Mi Home Cameras) will help, but this will void the warranty.
| Camera model | Support for RTSP | Is there a need for a break-in? | Max, flow resolution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mi Home Security Camera 360° (1080p) | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | 1920×1080 |
| Mi Camera 2K | ✅ Yes (from 2023 disabled by default) | ⚠️ Only for inclusion | 2304×1296 |
| Mi Home Camera PTZ | ✅ Yes. | ❌ No. | 1920×1080 |
| Mi Camera 1S | ❌ No. | ✅ Firmware required | 1280×720 |
For a viewing. RTSP-flow VLC:
- Open the player and select Media → Open the URL.
- Insert the copied RTSP-link.
- Press Playback.
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If RTSP-stream slows down, try to reduce bitrate in the camera settings (option Video quality) → Balanced instead of High).
4. Third-party cloud services (TinyCam, Synology Surveillance)
If you need advanced features (facial recognition, NAS archive storage, smart home integration), use third-party services, such as:
- 📱 TinyCam Pro – allows you to connect Xiaomi cameras to the camera Windows/macOS via cloud or local area network.
- 🖥️ Synology Surveillance Station for Owners NAS-Synology servers.
- 🌍 Angelcam – a cloud service with support for Xiaomi and video analytics.
Setting up TinyCam Pro:
- Download the program from the official website.
- Add the camera via the Mi Home API (you will need a username/password from Mi Account).
- Select the stream resolution (1080p or 720p) to save traffic.
⚠️ Note: When using third-party services, your username/password from Mi Account is shared with third parties, and we recommend that you create a separate account only for cameras and not use it for other Xiaomi devices.
5. Local access via IP-address (without cloud)
If the camera and the computer are on the same network, you can connect directly to it over IP. This eliminates cloud flow delays and works even without the Internet.
Steps:
- Find out. IP-Camera address: In mobile Mi Home, go to camera settings → General. → Local area network. Or check the list of devices on the router (usually 192.168.x.x).
http://192.168.1.100
admin
admin
123456
If the page does not open:
- 🔌 Check that the camera and PC are connected to the same router.
- 🛡️ Turn off Windows Firewall or add an exception to IP camera.
- 🔄 Restart the camera (turn off power for 10 seconds).
How to reset the Xiaomi camera password if you forget?
6. Solving typical problems
If the camera is not connected to the computer, check these points:
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| The camera does not appear in Mi Home on PC | Different regions of the account | Change region in the mobile app to China (requires device reassignment!) |
| RTSP-flow | Protocol disabled in firmware | Update your camera to the latest version or use an alternative firmware |
| Video delay >5 seconds | Xiaomi Cloud Server in Another Region | Connect via a local area network (IP or RTSP) |
| No sound in the broadcast. | Codecs are not supported by the browser | Use VLC or Mi Home desktop app |
If nothing helps, try:
- 🔄 Reboot the router and camera.
- 📱 Remove and re-add the camera to Mi Home.
- 🔌 Connect the camera to another power source (sometimes power supplies cause failures).
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To keep the camera running smoothly through your computer, use a wired router connection to your PC (via Ethernet) to reduce latency and flow breaks, especially at high resolution (2K/4K).