UniFi Camera RTSP Support
RTSP is supported
✅ UniFi cameras support RTSP with some configuration. In most modern deployments, UniFi Protect hosts the stream rather than the camera exposing a simple standalone URL.
Protect acts as the stream host
UniFi Protect running on an NVR, Cloud Key, or Dream Machine generates RTSP/RTSPS stream URLs for each camera and quality level.
Two connection methods
You can use direct camera RTSP on some older setups, or use the recommended UniFi Protect NVR stream URL for centralized access and easier management.
RTSPS is preferred
RTSPS is the modern encrypted approach on Protect 2.x and newer. If available, use the generated rtsps:// URL instead of legacy plain RTSP.
UniFi Camera RTSP URL Format
Via UniFi Protect NVR (recommended)
Direct camera RTSP (older G3/G4 without Protect)
Camera ID values are shown in UniFi Protect → Camera → RTSP settings. Copy the generated URL directly when possible so you avoid typos.
How to Enable RTSP in UniFi Protect
Open UniFi Protect
Log in to the UniFi Protect web interface from your NVR, Cloud Key, or UniFi OS console.
Select the camera
Click the UniFi camera you want to stream, then open its settings using the gear icon.
Enable RTSP Service
Under RTSP Service, enable the High, Medium, or Low quality stream you want. Some deployments also reference Anonymous Snapshots or similar access toggles depending on firmware and Protect version.
Copy the generated URL
Copy the RTSP or RTSPS URL exactly as shown in Protect. The camera ID and port are already included.
Add it to SmartRTSP
Open SmartRTSP on iPhone, tap Add Camera, paste the stream URL, and connect.
Compatible UniFi Camera Models
| Model | Resolution | RTSP | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| UniFi G3 Instant | 1080p | ✅ | Entry level |
| UniFi G4 Bullet | 4MP | ✅ | Most popular |
| UniFi G4 Dome | 4MP | ✅ | Indoor/outdoor |
| UniFi G4 Pro | 8MP | ✅ | 3-lens varifocal |
| UniFi G5 Bullet | 4K | ✅ | Latest gen |
| UniFi G5 Pro | 4K | ✅ | HDR |
| UniFi AI Theta | Multi-lens | ✅ | 360° panoramic |
View UniFi Cameras on iPhone with SmartRTSP
- ✓SmartRTSP supports both
rtsp://andrtsps://UniFi streams. - ✓For
rtsps://from UniFi Protect, paste the exact URL shown in Protect RTSP settings. - ✓ONVIF may not work reliably with UniFi Protect, so the manual RTSP or RTSPS URL method is usually best.
- ✓Use SmartRTSP to watch your cameras on iPhone, iPad, or Mac without being locked into the UniFi Protect app alone.
UniFi vs Traditional IP Cameras
UniFi is a more closed ecosystem than traditional IP camera brands. UniFi cameras work best when paired with a UniFi Protect NVR, Cloud Key, or Dream Machine, and RTSP access is usually brokered by Protect. Traditional IP cameras such as Hikvision, Dahua, and Reolink are generally more open and expose RTSP more directly. The good news: both approaches work with SmartRTSP as long as you have the correct RTSP or RTSPS URL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ubiquiti support RTSP?
What is the UniFi camera RTSP URL?
rtsps://user:pass@NVR_IP:7441/cameraID?enableSrtp via Protect, or rtsp://IP:554/s0 on some older direct camera setups.