Get started

Install the build for your platform from the Watchpost download page, then open the app. Watchpost runs on Mac, iPhone, iPad and Android. Device support and available settings differ by platform; check compatibility before choosing a connection method.

Add the first device

You need the camera or recorder’s address and its device login, or a supported vendor-cloud connection. A Watchpost account does not replace those credentials. Start on the same local network if you are adding by address.

1. Open Devices. On Mac, use the mode switch or ⌘4; on a phone or tablet, use the Devices tab.
2. Choose Add Device… on Mac, or the add control on mobile. Select the protocol and use discovery or enter the address and port.
3. Enter the device credentials, check the connection in the form and review the channels it reports. A successful connection check does not save the device.
4. Keep Show in Live enabled if you want to watch it immediately, then add the device.

See Add a device for the complete form, Cloud ID and port choices. On Apple platforms, Hik-Connect accounts provide another way to add supported devices. For a site reached through your own relay, follow Connect a site.

An empty device list is normal before you add or import anything. When the app says storage is locked or its key is missing, follow Storage and app lock before attempting recovery or reset.

Open video

Switch to Live on Mac (⌘1) or Cameras on mobile. Open a camera tile for a larger view. On Mac, All Cameras or Escape returns to the grid. Try the sub stream if the main stream is too demanding for the connection.

If a saved device has no tile, check that it is in Live and its channel is shown in the grid. The device list can contain connections that are not in Live. See Live view for grid controls and sound.

The Apple launch screen waits for the initial connection results of Live devices for up to four seconds. A failed connection also ends that device’s wait. You can dismiss the screen by clicking or tapping it; on Mac, a fast launch may show no banner. Its disappearance does not prove every camera is online. Read the individual device status afterward. Android has its own startup interface.

Recordings and events

Open Archive to read recordings the device already holds. Adding a camera to Watchpost does not start a recording service on your computer. Check the device’s disk and recording schedule if it has no recordings. ONVIF connections currently have no archive in Watchpost.

Events depend on the protocol and device configuration. Mobile reception works while the app is in the foreground. For current trial and paid-feature conditions, see Account and license.

Version and help

On Mac, Watchpost → About Watchpost shows the version, stage and build number. Help → Watchpost Help opens the built-in overview; Open the documentation opens this site in the language of the app. Use Mac menus and shortcuts to find commands and their availability.

On iPhone and iPad, About Watchpost is in the Devices tab’s menu. For Android, check the installed app version in the system’s app information. See Update Watchpost for direct-build and store updates.

The documentation’s version chip identifies the build it describes. During the current catch-up period, the banner warns that parts of the help may lag behind your installed app.

For a missing tile, connection error or empty archive, see Troubleshooting.