How do I connect Wi-Fi Cameras with Smart Life or Tuya Apps? – Jaycar Electronics

This article applies to any Wi-Fi camera that uses the Smart Life / Tuya Apps, such as: QC3891, QC3908, QC3910, QC3912, QC3914, QC3890, QC3891, QC3892, QC3893, QC3894, QC3907, QC3900, QC3859, QC3906, QC3918

Overview

These cameras use your 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi to connect to the internet. You will need to install a mobile device App to tell the camera your Wi-Fi password, and to view/control the camera. Some may have Bluetooth to help them set up, so your phone may be able to autodetect them, others will need you to show a QR code (generated by the App on your mobile device) to the camera.

Things to do first

Charge the camera till full - at least 4-5 hours (if battery powered)
If the camera is mains powered, connect it to the power supply
Find your 2.4Ghz Wi-Fi password (check the label on your modem/router)

Get your phone ready

Install the Smart Life or Tuya App on your phone and open it
Allow any permissions it asks for via popups
Create an account in the App using your email, and log in to the account
Connect your phone to the Wi-Fi the camera will be using
Make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your phone settings

Auto-detecting and pairing the camera

Turn on the camera with the power switch (usually located under a rubber flap)
The camera LED should be blinking fast - you can reset it, if the LED is not doing this
In the App, press the + on the top right, and press Add Device
The App should find the new camera automatically - if not, skip to the next heading
Select the new camera and press Next until you get to the Wi-Fi details page
Choose your Wi-Fi, type your Wi-Fi password, and press Next / press Proceed
If successful, the camera should beep, and the blinking LEDs will change
Once it responds, press Next until it's done.

Manually adding the camera

Turn on the camera with the power switch (usually located under a rubber flap)
The camera LED should be blinking fast - you can reset it, if the LED is not doing this
In the App, press the + on the top right, and press Add Device
Scroll upwards past the Add Manually text
On the left-side column, press Camera & Lock
At the top of the list of devices, press Smart Camera (Wi-Fi)
Press Next until you get to the Wi-Fi details page
Choose your Wi-Fi, type your Wi-Fi password, and press Next & press Proceed
The App should display a QR code - show the code to the camera lens
The camera should beep, and the blinking LEDs will change after a few seconds
If the camera does not respond, move your screen closer / further from the camera
Once it responds, press Next until it's done.

The progress bar ended and the camera was not paired

The Wi-Fi password was wrong. Try disconnecting your phone from the Wi-Fi, and reconnect it using the password you were typing. If it connects successfully, try pairing the camera again. If you can't connect to the Wi-Fi, check the password, reset your modem/router, or call your Internet provider for assistance.

The camera wasn't in pairing mode. Power the camera on, and press and hold the reset button under the flap for 10-15 seconds. The LED blink rate should change, the camera may beep, then try pairing the camera again.

The Wi-Fi signal wasn't strong enough. Make sure you and the camera are in the same room as the Wi-Fi router when you set it up. Don't locate the camera away from the Wi-Fi until it is connected successfully.

The camera said it was bound to another account.

If this happens, the camera has been previously paired with another account. If you've previously paired it, you need to log in to the App with the original account you used when you first set up the camera.

If the camera has been used by someone else, ask the original owner to log in to their App, and remove it from their account. Then run through the pairing process to take ownership of it. More information here.

If the camera is brand new and you have not paired it before, return it to the store.