The right surveillance app is the one made for your recorder or camera brand: Hik-Connect for Hikvision, DMSS for Dahua, Eye4 for Vstarcam, and XMEye for many generic DVRs and IP cameras. A third-party app rarely gives you playback and alerts as reliably. If you are not sure which app your recorder uses, look in its network, cloud or P2P menu: it usually shows the app name and a QR code to scan.
Which app goes with which brand?
| Brand | App (iPhone and Android) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hikvision, HiLook | Hik-Connect | Add devices by QR code or serial number and verification code. Guide |
| Dahua | DMSS | Replaced iDMSS and gDMSS, which Dahua stopped supporting in August 2024. Guide |
| Vstarcam | Eye4 | Add cameras by QR code or UID. Guide |
| Generic DVRs and IP cameras (many unbranded models) | XMEye (or the app named on the recorder) | Check the recorder's cloud menu for the exact app. |
On a computer, use the brand's PC software instead: iVMS-4200 for Hikvision or SmartPSS Lite for Dahua.
What should a good surveillance app do?
- Live view of every camera, with a low-data mode for mobile networks.
- Playback by date and time, with motion events marked on the timeline.
- Push alerts for motion or human detection, with a schedule so you are not alerted at home.
- Sharing with family or staff, with limited permissions.
- Two-step verification and regular updates from the maker.
How do I connect the app to my recorder?
- Connect the recorder to your router and turn on its cloud/P2P service.
- Install the brand's app and create an account.
- Tap Add device and scan the QR code on the recorder's label or its P2P/cloud screen.
- Enter the verification code or recorder password.
Full steps: how to connect a DVR to your phone.
Sources
Frequently asked questions
- Can I use one app for cameras from different brands?
- Sometimes, if the recorder supports ONVIF or the app supports several brands, but features such as alerts and playback work best in each brand's own app.
- Are surveillance apps free?
- The main brand apps are free to download. Some charge for optional cloud storage.
- My old app no longer works. What should I do?
- The maker may have replaced it, as Dahua did with DMSS. Install the current app from the brand's website or app store, and if the recorder is too old for it, consider upgrading the recorder.
Want this done for you?
We supply and install CCTV, door access, video intercom and Wi-Fi systems across Singapore, from Hikvision, Uniview, Vstarcam, TP-Link, Ruijie and EZVIZ. Send a photo or floor plan and we will recommend a setup and a fixed price.