Security cameras are one of the most popular smart home devices. They act as a gateway into the world of smart home technology, showcasing the potential of everyday devices to improve your home security and automate your daily routine. Smart security cameras often rely on Wi-Fi for cloud access, mobile viewing, and alerts.
But what if you don’t have Wi-Fi or there is a power outage? Will your security cameras continue to operate? At Aqara, we offer the best smart cameras for home security that work without Wi-Fi, guaranteeing your home security, even during a power outage.
In this article, we’re spotlighting security cameras that work without Wi-Fi and sharing a step-by-step guide on how to set up your new Aqara smart camera.
Do Security Cameras Need Wi-Fi to Function?
Wi-Fi enables smart cameras to utilize additional functions, such as live streaming, cloud storage, and remote access. While a security camera will serve its primary function without Wi-Fi, these additional features enhance the capabilities of the device, supporting automation.
Some security cameras can operate independently of Wi-Fi with local recording and motion detection. Enabling Wi-Fi connectivity will help you get the most from your device with a wider smart home set up.
While security cameras don’t need Wi-Fi to function, this connectivity takes them from being traditional CCTV cameras to innovative smart home devices.
What Security Cameras Can and Can’t Do Without Wi-Fi
Depending on your at-home setup, you might be shopping for cameras that work without Wi-Fi. If you live in a rural area or have poor Wi-Fi connectivity, it might not be possible to connect your security camera to a stable internet service.
While you may be able to connect indoor cameras to Wi-Fi, you might incur challenges when connecting outdoor security cameras to your internet. Understanding what features work without Wi-Fi will help you determine if Wi-Fi is a necessity for your security cameras to function fully.
Security Camera Features That Work Without Wi-Fi:
Most smart cameras can function without Wi-Fi due to their local storage, facilitating recording and allowing you to access footage. However, some cameras have 4G connectivity, using it instead of Wi-Fi in areas with limited internet coverage.
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Local recording if the camera utilizes a local storage source, such as an SD card.
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Motion detection (in-camera), triggering automatic recording.
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Continuous recording if the camera is battery-powered.
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Local monitoring and viewing of recorded footage via cable or an offline app.
Security Camera Features That Only Work With Wi-Fi:
Cameras that work without Wi-Fi will still fulfil their basic surveillance functions. However, they’ll have limited automation capabilities and will not be fully integrated into a smart home setup.
Without Wi-Fi, a smart camera will not be able to:
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Provide remote live streaming access, allowing you to monitor your home through a smartphone app.
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Facilitate automatic cloud backups of footage for remote viewing and storage.
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Send real-time phone notifications for package deliveries and motion detection.
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Voice assistant integration with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit for further remote access.
Do Aqara Security Cameras Need Wi-Fi to Work?
At Aqara, our smart cameras do not need Wi-Fi for their basic functionality. Aqara cameras use Wi-Fi for remote viewing, cloud integration, and app notifications. Our cameras can still function locally through Zigbee and Matter or via local storage and automations, depending on the smart camera model.
An Aqara Hub is the best way to guarantee your security camera will work without Wi-Fi. We recommend the Aqara Hub M3 to enhance your home automation and provide reliable connectivity, as it offers dual-band Wi-Fi, Power over Ethernet (PoE), and USB-C for stable wired and wireless connections with WPA3 security.
Aqara Security Cameras That Work Without Wi-Fi
Everyone’s smart home set up is different. You want to account for your security needs, privacy preferences, and practical setup requirements. We recognize that every customer is different, and that’s why we offer cameras that work without Wi-Fi, and with additional features that can be utilized with Wi-Fi connectivity.
Aqara Camera E1
The Aqara Camera E1 is a compact and affordable 2K camera with local SD card storage. At just $60, it’s one of the most accessible smart cameras on the market, ideal for small spaces with a full 360-degree viewing angle.
It works over your local network for LAN-only viewing if Wi-Fi is disconnected from the internet. The Camera E1 continues to record locally even during internet outages, giving you added peace of mind that your camera will continue to operate.
This camera is ideal for use in individual rooms within your home, such as an office, children’s playroom, or as a pet camera. It offers an automated privacy mode that pivots the lens and deactivates the camera. The Camera E1 also supports up to 512 GB of microSD card storage, ideal if you need to access previous recordings without connecting your camera to Wi-Fi.
Aqara Camera Hub G2H Pro
If you’re asking, “Can a camera work without Wi-Fi?”, look no further than the Aqara Camera Hub G2H Pro. It’s one of our best-selling smart cameras as it acts as a security camera and a built-in Zigbee 3.0 hub. It is an ideal option if you also want to extend your Zigbee reach. It also facilitates local recording to a microSD card and supports HomeKit Secure Video.
Even without Wi-Fi, this high-performance smart camera can still run local automations and record events. It offers 1080p HD and night vision with 940 nm infrared LEDs. If privacy is a concern, you can utilize local privacy masking, preventing certain parts of your room from being recorded or sent to third-party servers for extra security.
We recommend connecting this smart camera to an Aqara motion sensor and wall switch to automate your lights to turn on if the camera detects motion.
Aqara Camera Hub G3
Another option for a camera that works without Wi-Fi is the Aqara Camera Hub G3. It’s another multi-purpose smart camera that doubles as a Zigbee 3.0 hub for your smart home devices, supporting up to 128 Aqara devices for enhanced home automation and remote control. It offers advanced local AI-powered face and gesture recognition, which can be used for home automation and real-time notifications.
This smart camera operates offline with on-device AI and microSD storage. It offers advanced event timelines when paired with an Aqara sensor, with events automatically marked on the video timeline. Even when offline, it can continue pre-set automations with connected devices via Zigbee. Your chosen privacy mode and pan-tilt features function locally, continuing to operate even without Wi-Fi.
Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro
If you’re investing in your smart home technology and want to future-proof your setup, we recommend the Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro. It’s our flagship security hub with dual-band Wi-Fi and Thread/Matter support, giving you complete compatibility and the flexibility to curate your smart home to suit your needs.
Designed for broader smart home ecosystems, this device is our first outdoor camera hub. It is available as a Wi-Fi and PoE product, both supporting dual-band connectivity and WPA3 security. The locally hosted 7-in-1 visual AI and 4-in-1 audio AI give you high performance without needing an active internet connection. It’s compatible with HomeKit Secure Video and offers encrypted local storage and end-to-end encryption for both Aqara and Apple cloud footage.
This smart camera also retains local recording and device communication via Zigbee and Thread, even without internet. The rotatable stand allows installation on walls, ceilings, or flat surfaces with an optional ¼” screw compatibility, making it ideal as an outdoor security camera.
When Should You Use a Security Camera Without Wi-Fi?
Although most smart cameras are designed to be used with Wi-Fi for maximum functionality, there are times when you might purposefully want a camera without Wi-Fi. If you’re a privacy-conscious user, you might prefer to only have localized recording to a microSD card.
While most of us think of Wi-Fi as an everyday utility, there are still rural areas without high-powered internet connectivity. Depending on your property size, it might not be possible for your high-speed internet to reach your garage, cabin, or outbuildings if they’re further away from your main internet hub.
It’s always a good idea to have a smart camera that can function without Wi-Fi. It adds resilience to your smart home set up in case of network or power outages, with your camera continuing to connect to your battery-powered hub. If you live in an area with extreme weather or frequent power outages, having a camera that works without Wi-Fi can give you added peace of mind.
How to Set Up Your Aqara Security Camera for Offline Use
While our Aqara smart cameras are designed to be connected to Wi-Fi for full functionality, you can set your Aqara cameras up for offline usage. Start by following the installation instructions for your specific smart camera model. You’ll also find an installation video to give you visual step-by-step instructions on the product page for your smart camera.
You’ll follow the same setup instructions in both scenarios, but there are a few added extras to consider when setting your security camera up to work offline.
The first step is to use microSD cards for continuous or event-based local recording. Each device will have its own microSD size limitations, but most will facilitate a large enough storage capacity for several months of localized recording.
Even without Wi-Fi, you can set your Aqara smart cameras up for local automation, such as turning your lights on automatically when your motion sensors are triggered. Connect your chosen smart camera to an Aqara Hub over Zigbee or Matter. Alternatively, you can also do this with Apple HomeKit for LAN-based control via Apple devices if that’s your preferred ecosystem.
Be proactive and keep your mobile devices on the same LAN to retain in-app access to your device if an internet outage occurs.
FAQs about Cameras That Work Without Wi-Fi
Are you looking for more advice on how to get the most out of your smart cameras? The Aqara blog is full of expert-written guides covering everything you need to know about smart home technology, from the best home security cameras with subscriptions to advice on how to block your neighbor’s security camera if it’s pointing onto your property.
We’re answering some of the most frequently asked questions about cameras that work without Wi-Fi, but you’ll find even more information on our blog.
What features still work on a camera without Wi-Fi?
If your security camera doesn’t have Wi-Fi, limited features will still be able to operate. These include local recording to an SD card, in-camera motion detection, and local monitoring via cable or an offline app.
Do Aqara cameras work without Wi-Fi?
Aqara cameras can still function without Wi-Fi by operating locally through Zigbee and Matter or via local storage and automations, depending on your specific security camera.
Are offline cameras more secure?
Offline security cameras are more secure as they’re less vulnerable to hacking or cyberattacks. However, they have limited functionality and may not offer the same level of security for your home or commercial building.
Can I still access my footage if I don’t have Wi-Fi?
You can access your security camera footage if you don’t have Wi-Fi when your footage has been recorded locally to a hard drive connected to a network video recorder or an SD card.
Keep Your Home Protected with Security Cameras that Work Without Wi-Fi
Aqara’s security cameras can operate without Wi-Fi, providing privacy-first options for users who prefer the reliability and added security of local recording. No smart home set up is complete without security cameras located throughout your property, connected to your smart hub to help automate your security.
Monitor your home 24/7 with Aqara’s innovative security cameras, powered with in-camera AI technology and secure recording options. Shop our best-selling smart home cameras and explore our blog for more advice on how to get the most from your smart home technology.
