I have a Tapo C200 camera. It’s working on local mode only. I’ve tried all the steps to fix it apart from changing the DNS on the router but it appears this isn’t possible. Does that mean I’m stuck only being able to see it when I’m within WiFi range? If so can anyone recommend a security camera which does work & can be viewed out with WiFi range.
To access the camera remotely you will need to open one or more ports on the Hub, or on your own router if you use one. The camera instructions should tell you which ports are needed.
Unfortunately it doesn’t mention which ports to open, just the dns
Bekamum wrote:can anyone recommend a security camera which does work & can be viewed out with WiFi range.
I highly doubt the fault is with the camera. What you need is a better router, preferably one with good VPN functionality if you want to access your local network devices over the internet.
Check Child Safe & Virus Safe are both disabled in your VM Online Account
Setup "Away Mode" for the camera.
Tried that but it’s still showing as local mode only
Hi, I have two Tapo C200 cameras and I’m able to see both of them while I’m away and using mobile data. What issue are you having exactly? Aren’t you able to see the cameras while you are out?
No. I can only see the camera when I’m connected to the same WiFi it is. I can’t see it using mobile satay
For commercial products that the general public are expected to buy and use, Port Opening and DNS changes are normally a total distraction from following the installation / configuration processes to the letter.
I'm having the exact same with my recently purchased Tapo camera (the box says the model is a TC70 but the base of the device says C200).
I can access the camera over my home WiFi without issue, but can't access it over mobile data or other WiFi connections. However, based on some other reading I disabled the firewall protection option in the online Hub4 security settings and I was able to view the camera over mobile data without issue.
That said, I don't really want to keep my router's firewall setting permanently disabled just for the camera - is there any way of allowing the camera to be viewed non-locally while keeping the firewall setting enabled otherwise?
Disable the firewall is fine the hub does NAT in router mode the firewall causes problems on or off its badly done to cause such problems it not really a firewall or how firewall works.
or get your own router with 1Gb ports and put hub in modem mode
I'm not familiar with that particular brand, but based on experience with professional cameras as a general principle the app and its remote server must know your external WAN IP in order to connect to it. Does yours have that? The IP on VM may change from time to time, to keep up to date you need a DDNS.
Then again on the particular system it may need one or more ports to be opened in the router. I believe the Hub4 is limited in this function and you may need modem mode and a proper router.
"as a general principle the app and its remote server must know your external WAN IP in order to connect to it."
This is true and it’s because the code is badly written, you should never have to supply your IP address to anyone. What the local code should do is ‘call home’ and then the vendor can respond to this message to get into contact with your local device. No IP address supplied to vendor, no ports need opening on your hub/router. Usually it’s cheap Chinese devices that do this.
All my security cameras (not Tapo, but most are the same inside) simply use the modem as the default gateway, and connect to the manufacturer servers. You need to make sure the camera gets DNS settings as well.
Then I use their app on my phone to access them from anywhere I have mobile signal. No VPN or port-forwarding required. I don't really care if the Chinese can see my back garden & driveway !!
Those cameras will be calling home to the server so that it knows where to find them when the app requests a connection. You may find it interesting to monitor their activity on Wireshark
If the Tapo camera is stuck in local mode, it does limit you to viewing within your WiFi range unless you can adjust the DNS settings. If you’re looking for more flexibility, I’d suggest exploring other wireless security cameras that offer reliable remote access, even outside of WiFi range. Some of them work seamlessly with cloud storage and mobile data, which could be what you need!
