SAMi Secure Remote Monitoring

You can monitor and control your SAMi-3 or SAMi-2 camera from anywhere with an internet connection.

By default, your camera is only accessible while connected to the same local Wi-Fi network. Enabling Internet Access allows the SAMi app to securely connect to your camera remotely — including when using mobile data.

Important Notes

Security:
The internet access feature uses encryption. However, we strongly recommend setting a strong camera password.

Mobile Data Warning!
Live video uses approximately 4MB per minute.
That equals roughly 1GB in 4 hours of continuous viewing.
Actual usage may vary and additional charges from your mobile provider may apply.

Quick Navigation

Choose Your Setup Method:

🔹 Automatic Setup (Recommended): uPnP

🔹 Manual Setup (Advanced): Port Forwarding / DMZ

Automatic Setup (Recommended): uPnP

STEP 1: Connect the Camera to an Internet-Enabled Network

If you are currently using a SAMi Router (SAMi-5G network only), you must first connect the camera to an internet-enabled network such as your home Wi-Fi.

If your camera is already connected to your home Wi-Fi, skip to Step 2.

To Connect to Home Wi-Fi:

1. Open the SAMi App

2. Connect to your SAMi camera

3. Go to Settings → Camera Settings → Camera Wi-Fi

4. Tap Change

5. Select your home Wi-Fi network

6. Enter your Wi-Fi password and follow the prompts

7. Verify the camera reconnects successfully

Once connected to home Wi-Fi, unplug and store your SAMi Router if you were using one and proceed to step 2 below. 

Not Working?

If the camera does not connect, unplug your SAMi Router, reset your camera using this guide, and try Step 1 again:

How to reset your SAMi Camera and pair it with your home WiFi (Camera Only Owners)

STEP 2: Enable Internet Access (Automatic Setup)

1. Open the SAMi App

2. Go to Settings → Camera Settings → Internet Viewing

3. Turn on Enable Internet Access

The camera will attempt to automatically configure your router using uPnP.

If successful, the status will show Online.

Once Online, you can use the SAMi app from anywhere with internet access.

What to Expect

• Remote video delay is typically 5–10 seconds

• Recordings do not auto-transfer when using mobile data (manual download required)

Internet Setup Troubleshooting

If the connection fails, check the status message shown in the app. After making any changes, tap the status line to retry.

Error: No Internet Connection

The camera cannot reach the internet.

Check:

• The router is connected to the internet

• The internet service is active

• The camera is connected to the correct Wi-Fi network

Make sure you unplugged the SAMi Router and that you are connected to your home WiFi. 

Error: Router uPnP Disabled

The router blocked automatic configuration.

You must enable uPnP in your router settings.

Example (Comcast Xfinity):
https://www.xfinity.com/support/articles/configure-device-discovery-for-wifi

Note:

• uPnP must be enabled

• “Zero Config” can remain off

After enabling uPnP, return to the SAMi app and try again.

If uPnP cannot be enabled, proceed to Manual Setup below.

Error: Camera Not Reachable

This usually indicates:

• Manual port settings do not match

• Router port forwarding was configured incorrectly

Proceed to the Manual Setup instructions below.

Manual Setup (Advanced): Port Forwarding / DMZ

If:

• uPnP does not work

• You prefer not to use uPnP

• You have a more complex network

You can manually configure port forwarding. Manual configuration requires some networking knowledge.
If you are not comfortable configuring your router, we recommend using the automatic uPnP method whenever possible.

This process has three steps:

STEP 1: Ensure the Camera’s IP Address Never Changes

Port forwarding only works if the camera always uses the same IP address.

You have two options — choose one below:

Option A (Recommended): Reserve the IP in Your Router

This keeps the camera set to Automatic, but tells the router to always assign the same IP.

1. Log into your router’s admin page

2. Find Connected Devices / DHCP Clients

3. Select the SAMi Camera (The camera’s MAC address is printed on the back of the camera if needed.)

4. Enable Reserved IP / DHCP Reservation

5. Save changes

Then, proceed to Step 2 below.

Option B (Advanced): Set a Static IP on the Camera

Only use this if your router does not support reserved IPs.

1. Open the SAMi app

2. Go to Settings → Camera Settings → IP Address

3. Change Configure IP to Manual

4. Enter:

   • IP Address (not already in use, outside DHCP range)

   • Subnet Mask (usually 255.255.255.0)

   • Router IP (usually ends in .1)

5. Leave DNS set to Automatic

6. Tap Done

The camera will restart. Proceed to Step 2.

If incorrect settings are entered, you may need to reset the camera and try again.

STEP 2: Configure Port Forwarding on the Router

Your router must forward internet traffic to the camera’s local IP address.

You have two options:

Option A (Preferred): Create a Port Forwarding Rule

This is more secure than DMZ.

1. Log into your router admin page

2. Find Port Forwarding (may also be called Virtual Server or NAT)

3. Create a new rule

Use these settings:

External / WAN Port: Choose a random number between 10000–65535 (remember this for Step 3 below!)
Internal / LAN IP: The camera IP address (This may not be required)
Internal / LAN Port: 80
Protocol: TCP (or TCP/UDP)

If your router does not support port remapping, set both external and internal ports to 80.

Proceed to Step 3.

Option B (Last Resort): Enable DMZ

DMZ forwards all ports to the camera.

1. Find DMZ settings in your router

2. Set DMZ Host to the camera IP address

3. Save changes

Important: DMZ is less secure. Only use if port forwarding cannot be configured.

Proceed to Step 3.

STEP 3: Configure Internet Settings in the SAMi App

1. Open the SAMi app

2. Go to Settings → Camera Settings → Internet Viewing

3. Turn on Enable Internet Access

4. Change Configure Router to Manual

5. Enter the Router Port Number:

If using DMZ → enter 80
If using port forwarding → enter the external/WAN port you selected above
If router required port 80 → enter 80

The app will test the connection. If you get a failure the first time, just tap to check status again. 

If it fails, review Steps 1–3 carefully. 

STEP 4: Test Remote Monitoring (Highly Recommended)

Once the SAMi app status shows Online, we strongly recommend testing remote monitoring right away.

A) Enable the “Remote Viewer” Power Light Indicator (Optional but recommended)

This feature helps you know if someone is viewing the camera remotely. When enabled, the camera’s green power light will slowly blink (about every 3 seconds) whenever someone is viewing the camera’s live stream remotely over the internet.

1. Open the SAMi app

2. Go to Settings → Camera Settings

3. Scroll just below where Internet Viewing was enabled

4. Turn on Power Light Flash on Internet Viewer

B) Test Using Mobile Data

1. Close the SAMi app completely

   • (Swipe it away / force close it so it fully exits)

2. On your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings → Wi-Fi and turn Wi-Fi OFF

   • Confirm you are now using mobile data / cellular (not Wi-Fi)

3. Reopen the SAMi app

4. If you see a red warning that says Enable Mobile Data:

   • Tap the warning

   • When prompted, select Always Allow (so the SAMi app can use cellular data)

5. The app should now connect and show your camera’s live stream over mobile data.

If the camera does not load while on mobile data, re-check the setup steps above (especially router configuration and the port number used). Also confirm mobile data permissions:

• On your iPhone/iPad: Go to Settings → Cellular (or Mobile Data) and make sure the SAMi app is allowed to use cellular data.

• In the SAMi app: Go to Settings, scroll all the way to the bottom, select Always Allow Mobile Data, and make sure it is enabled.

If you ned assistance, please submit a support request: Submit a request