Xiaomi Small Square Camera (also known as Mi Home Security Camera Basic) 1080p or Xiaomi MiJia 1080P>) It's become one of the most popular budget solutions for home video surveillance. HD-While the Mi Home ecosystem is an attractive choice, many users have difficulty connecting first: the device can’t find the network, the app can give out errors, or the camera simply doesn’t respond to commands. In this article, we will discuss all possible ways of connecting – from standard settings via Wi-Fi to alternative methods for problem cases.
Small Square is a feature that requires a binding Xiaomi account and only works through a proprietary app, which means that without a smartphone and a stable Internet connection, you can't set it up. But don't worry, even if you've never dealt with smart gadgets before, our step-by-step guide will help avoid typical mistakes. And if something goes wrong, at the end of this article you will find a section that solves 90% of common problems.
1.What you need to connect the camera Xiaomi Small Square
Before you start setting up, make sure you have everything you need, and the absence of at least one of the components can make the process impossible.
- 📱 Smartphone on Android 5.0+ or iOS 10.0+ (Mi Home does not support older versions)
- 📶 Wi-Fi router with a frequency of 2.4 GHz (the camera does not work with 5 GHz networks)
- 🔌 Power supply 5V/1A or 5V/2A (Use the original adapter from the set)
- 📡 Stable Internet (speed from 2 Mbps, otherwise there may be failures during synchronization)
- 🆔 Xiaomi account (register in advance at account.xiaomi.com)
Important: If your router is dual (at the same time 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz under the same name), the camera may not see the network, in which case you have to split the networks in the router settings or temporarily disable 5 GHz. Also check that the router is turned off client isolation mode (AP Isolation) - it blocks the interaction of devices on the local network.
2. Installation and configuration of the Mi Home app
The branded Mi Home app (renamed Xiaomi Home in some regions) is the only official way to control the camera. Download it from official sources to avoid compatibility issues:
- 🤖 Android: Google Play or Huawei AppGallery
- 🍎 iOS: App Store
After installation:
- Open the app and select Russia (or your country) and don’t change region after the devices are tied, it will cause them to shut down!
- Sign in to your Xiaomi account (or create a new one).
- Click + → Add the device in the upper right corner.
- In the search box, type in the Camera and select the Mi Home Security Camera Basic 1080p (or Small Square if it appears).
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If the app doesn’t find the camera, try manually selecting the “Security” category in the device add menu.
3. Step-by-step instruction: connecting the camera to Wi-Fi
Now, to the most important step, which is to pair the camera with your network, follow the instructions in strict order to avoid errors:
- Connect the camera to power and wait for the beep ("Ding-dong"). The indicator on the back should flash yellow (waiting mode connection).
- In the Mi Home app, click Add Device → Camera and select your model.
- The app will ask for a scan. QR-If the code is corrupted, press Enter the code manually (it is listed below). QR).
- Select your 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network and enter your password. Make sure the password doesn't have Cyrillic characters - the camera doesn't support them.
- Wait for the beep ("Connected") and the blinking in blue, which means that the camera successfully connected to the network.
If the scanning stage QR-When the camera emits a double error beep, check:
- 🔊 Distance between camera and router (should be) < 5 meters).
- 📵 No interference from other wireless devices (microwaves, wireless headphones).
- 🔄 Restart your router and camera (turn off power for 30 seconds).
QR-camera code is complete and readable|Wi-Fi password contains only Latin and numbers|The camera flashes yellow (waiting mode)|The router operates in 2.4 GHz mode|The smartphone is connected to the same network as the camera.-->
4. Alternative ways of connecting (if the standard one does not work)
If the camera is persistently not connecting through the app, try one of these methods. They require a little more effort, but often save in difficult cases.
Method 1: Connecting through the smartphone access point
If your router is blocking new devices or is not running smoothly:
- On your smartphone, turn on the mobile access point (network name and password can be left by default).
- Connect the camera to power and wait for a yellow blink.
- In the Mi Home app, select the camera addition and specify the phone’s hotspot instead of your home Wi-Fi.
- After a successful connection, go to the camera settings and change the network to a home router.
Method 2: Reset the camera to factory settings
If the camera was previously linked to another account or is not working properly:
- Press and hold the reset button on the back of the camera for 10-15 seconds until you hear the voice message “Reset settings”.
- The indicator should flash yellow – this means that the device is ready for a new setup.
- Repeat the connection process through the Mi Home app.
What to do if the reset button does not work?
5.Camera setup after connection
Once you've successfully paired with Wi-Fi, the camera is ready to go, but you need to adjust the key settings to make it work. Go to the Mi Home app, select your camera, and go to its settings (⚙️ top-right).
| Parameter | Recommended value | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Video resolution | 1080p (Full HD) | Optimal ratio of quality to load on the network. 720p is suitable for weak Internet. |
| Frequency of personnel | 20 FPS | More frames, smoother than video, but higher traffic. 10-15 FPS is enough for surveillance. |
| Night mode. | Automobile | The camera will switch to IR lighting in the dark, and you need manual control for specific conditions. |
| Motion detection | Included (sensitivity 70–80%) | Too high sensitivity will lead to false positives (for example, from shadows). |
| Sound alerts | Includes (only when driving) | It is good for security, but can be annoying if the camera is triggered frequently. |
Note the Schedule section, where you can set up automatic recordings to turn off at certain hours (like when you’re home), which will save space in cloud storage and reduce network load.
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To keep the camera running, turn off the energy-saving mode for the Mi Home app in your smartphone settings, otherwise alerts may come with a delay.
6. Solving common problems
Even with the right setup, users are faced with typical errors.-5 problems and ways of eliminating them:
⚠️ Warning: If the camera connects to Wi-Fi but the app displays as “Offline,” check the firewall settings on the router. Some models block outbound connections from smart devices.
| Problem. | Possible cause | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Camera can't find Wi-Fi | Router runs in 5 GHz mode or hides SSID | Switch router to 2.4 GHz mode, disable network name hiding |
| The app gives an error "I failed to connect" | Too long/complicated Wi-Fi password | Simplify your password (Latin and numbers only, up to 20 characters) |
| The camera is periodically shut down. | Unstable power supply or weak Wi-Fi signal | Use the original power supply, bring the camera closer to the router |
| No sound in the tapes. | The microphone is turned off in the camera settings | Enable the “Sound Recording” option in the device menu |
| Night mode is not working. | IR illumination blocked by protective film | Take the film from the front of the camera. |
If none of these methods worked, check the firmware of the camera. Outdated software can cause conflicts with new versions of the Mi Home app. You can update the firmware manually:
- Go to the camera settings → About the device → Software update.
- If the update is not available, try resetting the camera and reconnecting.
7.Integration with other Xiaomi devices
One of the strengths of Xiaomi Small Square is that it can work in the Mi Home ecosystem, and it can be linked to other smart script automation devices.
- 💡 Smart lamp: turn on the light when detecting movement.
- 🔊 Column Mi AI: sound out sensor alerts.
- 🚪 Door Opening Sensor: Start recording when the front door is opened.
To set up automation:
- In the Mi Home app, go to Automation → Create.
- Select a trigger (e.g., Motion detected on the camera).
- Add an action (e.g., Turn on the lamp).
- Save the script and test it out.
For advanced users, integration via Home Assistant or IFTTT is available, but it requires additional customization and technical knowledge.
8. Security and confidentiality
CCTV cameras always raise privacy questions. Xiaomi Small Square records video to the Mi Cloud, but you can control what data is stored:
- 🔒 Disable cloud storage if you don't plan to use the recording. Video will only be available on the local network.
- 📹 Configure detection zones to allow the camera to ignore certain areas (such as a window to the street).
- 🔄 Change your password from your Xiaomi and Wi-Fi account regularly.
- 🛡️ Enable two-factor authentication in your account settings.
⚠️ Note: By default, the camera can send activity data to Xiaomi to improve services. Disable this option in the app's privacy settings if you're concerned.
If you use a camera to monitor your home, we recommend:
- Install it in an inaccessible place (for example, under the ceiling).
- Set up a recording schedule so that it only works in your absence.
- Use the microphone only when necessary (recording the sound may violate wiretapping laws in some countries).