How to View Your CCTV Camera Live on Your Mobile Phone - Step by Step Guide

One of the most common requests from our customers after CCTV installation is: "How do I watch my cameras on my phone?" The good news is that all modern CCTV systems — including CP Plus, Hikvision, IMOU, and Qubo cameras installed by SBM Technologies — support live mobile viewing.

What You Need for Mobile Viewing

Your DVR or NVR must be connected to a Wi-Fi router or have a direct internet connection.

The router must have a stable internet connection (broadband or mobile hotspot).

You need to download the manufacturer app on your smartphone.

Popular Apps for CCTV Mobile Viewing

CP Plus cameras: Use the gCMOB app (Android and iOS).

Hikvision cameras: Use the Hik-Connect app (Android and iOS).

IMOU cameras: Use the IMOU Life app.

Qubo cameras: Use the Qubo app.

Universal option: Use the XMEye or iVMS-4500 app for most Chinese-brand DVRs.

Step-by-Step Setup for CP Plus and Hikvision

Step 1: Connect your DVR or NVR to your router using an Ethernet cable.

Step 2: Find the IP address of your DVR in the network settings menu.

Step 3: Enable P2P (Peer-to-Peer) in the DVR network settings — this allows remote viewing without port forwarding.

Step 4: Download the gCMOB or Hik-Connect app on your phone.

Step 5: Create an account and add your device using the QR code printed on the DVR or found in the network settings.

Step 6: Grant camera permissions to the app and start live viewing.

Tips for Best Mobile Viewing Experience

Use a broadband connection of at least 10 Mbps upload speed for smooth live streaming.

Enable sub-stream instead of main-stream for lower data usage on mobile.

Set up motion alerts to receive notifications when cameras detect movement.

Use cloud storage for remote backup if your DVR is disconnected or stolen.

Need Help Setting Up Mobile Viewing?

SBM Technologies provides free remote support for mobile CCTV setup within the first 30 days of installation. We also offer an annual maintenance contract that includes remote configuration support.

To get started with a new CCTV system that works seamlessly on your phone, use our Quote Calculator to get a system recommendation with mobile-ready components included in the price.