Tapo Camera User Manual

Unfortunately, it is not possible to re-add a camera to your Tapo app remotely after it has been deleted.

When a camera is removed from the app, it is unlinked from your account and must be set up again from the beginning, just like a new device. This setup process requires physical access to the camera and the local Wi-Fi network.

To get the camera back into your app, someone at the location (your Spanish house) will need to perform the following steps:

1. Reset the camera: The camera needs to be put into setup mode. This can usually be done by unplugging it and plugging it back in, or by pressing the physical RESET button. The person should wait until the camera's LED light blinks red and green.
2. Open the Tapo app: On a smartphone connected to the local Wi-Fi network, open the Tapo app.
3. Add the camera: Tap the + (plus) icon in the app and select the camera model.
4. Follow instructions: The app will provide step-by-step instructions to connect the camera to the Wi-Fi network and add it to an account.

The person helping can either log into your Tapo account on their phone to add the camera directly, or they can add it to their own Tapo account and then use the 'Device Sharing' feature to grant you access.

To manage and view devices associated with your Tapo camera, you should use the Tapo app. While the manual does not explicitly list a "connected devices counter," you can manage access through the following steps:

• Device Sharing: Open the Tapo app, go to the Me tab, and select Device Sharing. Here you can see which accounts you have shared the camera with and manage their access.
• Account Management: Since multiple devices can log into the same TP-Link ID, check the Login Activity or Account Security settings within the app to see active sessions.
• Network Level: If you want to see every hardware device connected to the camera's stream via your local network, you can check your Wi-Fi router's client list to see the IP addresses interacting with the camera.

Note that Tapo cameras typically support up to 2 simultaneous live streams using the Tapo app, or up to 3 simultaneous streams if using RTSP/ONVIF protocols.

Tapo cameras are designed to be viewed remotely from anywhere using the Tapo app, as long as both the camera and your phone have an active internet connection. If your camera shows as "offline" when you are away from home, it usually indicates a problem with the camera's connection to the internet or your phone's ability to reach the Tapo cloud service.

Here are some troubleshooting steps you can try to resolve this issue:

1. Check Internet Connectivity:
   • Camera: Ensure your camera is connected to your home Wi-Fi and that your home internet service is working correctly. A weak Wi-Fi signal at the camera's location can cause it to disconnect. Try moving the camera closer to your router to see if the signal strength is the issue.
   • Phone: When you are away from home, make sure your smartphone has a stable internet connection, either through cellular data or another Wi-Fi network.
2. Update App and Firmware:
   • Make sure you have the latest version of the TP-Link Tapo app installed on your phone. Check the Apple App Store or Google Play for updates.
   • Inside the Tapo app, check for and install any available firmware updates for your camera. You can usually find this in the camera's settings.
3. Reboot Devices:
   • Try restarting your camera by unplugging it from the power source for about 30 seconds and then plugging it back in.
   • It can also be helpful to restart your home router.
4. Check Router Settings: In rare cases, firewall settings or parental controls on your router might be blocking the camera from accessing the internet. Check your router's settings to ensure it is not blocking the device.
5. Re-add the Camera: If none of the above steps work, you may need to reset the camera to its factory settings (usually by pressing and holding the reset button) and set it up again in the Tapo app.

Remote viewing is a standard feature and does not require a Tapo Care subscription. The subscription is for cloud storage and advanced features like AI detection.

If you are experiencing issues connecting multiple Tapo cameras simultaneously, consider the following troubleshooting steps:

• Check App Limits: Ensure you are not exceeding any account or subscription limits. While the Tapo app supports many devices, some third-party integrations (like Google Play Store subscriptions) may have limits on the number of cameras supported under a single plan.
• Network Bandwidth: Multiple cameras streaming at once require significant upload bandwidth. If your Wi-Fi network is congested, try lowering the video quality (e.g., from HQ to LQ) in the Live View settings for each camera.
• Wi-Fi Interference: Ensure both cameras have a strong signal. If they are too far from the router, they may struggle to maintain simultaneous connections.
• Power Cycle: Unplug both cameras, wait 30 seconds, and plug them back in to refresh their network connections.
• Reset and Re-add: If one camera consistently fails to connect while the other is active, try resetting the problematic camera by holding the RESET button for at least 5 seconds until the LED blinks red, then re-add it via the Tapo app.

If the problem persists, it may be related to your router's maximum device limit or internal IP address conflicts.

Based on the Tapo Camera documentation and app features, here are the answers to your questions:

• Recording Duration: When motion is detected, the camera records the event. If you are using a microSD card for local storage, you can view these clips in the Playback & Memory section of the app. The duration of these clips typically corresponds to the length of the detected activity. If you subscribe to Tapo Care, you can receive up to 30 days of cloud video history.
• Power Connection: Most Tapo cameras (such as the C200 or C100) must be plugged into a power outlet to function. The Quick Start Guide specifies that you must plug in your camera and wait for the LED to blink before setup. If the camera is not plugged in, it will not have power to detect motion, send notifications, or record audio and video.

To ensure recording works, make sure you have initialized a compatible microSD card in the camera settings or have an active Tapo Care subscription.

To ensure you receive intrusion notifications systematically, please check the following settings in your Tapo app:

• Enable Motion Detection: Go to Camera Settings > Detection & Alerts and ensure Motion Detection is toggled ON.
• Check Activity Zones: In the same menu, select Activity Zones. Ensure the area you want to monitor is covered by the zone; by default, the entire view is covered, but it may have been restricted.
• Adjust Sensitivity: If notifications are missing, try increasing the Motion Sensitivity. Higher sensitivity results in more frequent recordings and notifications.
• Notification Settings: Ensure Notifications are enabled within the Detection & Alerts page. Also, check your smartphone's system settings to ensure the Tapo app has permission to send push notifications.
• Recording Schedule: Verify that your Recording Schedule (found in Camera Settings) is set to record during the times you expect notifications.
• Subscription Note: Note that advanced AI detections (like person or pet detection) may require a Tapo Care subscription, though standard motion detection typically works with a microSD card.

To remove your Tapo camera from the wall, you need to reverse the installation process. Most Tapo pan/tilt cameras (like the C200 or C210) use a twist-lock mechanism. Follow these steps:

• Rotate the camera body: Firmly grasp the base of the camera and rotate it counter-clockwise (usually towards the left) relative to the mounting base attached to the wall.
• Detach from base: Once rotated, the camera should unlock from the mounting plate, allowing you to pull it away from the wall.
• Remove the mounting plate (optional): If you wish to move the entire setup, you will then need to unscrew the mounting base from the wall using a screwdriver.

If the camera feels stuck, ensure you are rotating the camera body itself and not just the pan/tilt lens. If it was installed very tightly, it may require a bit of firm pressure to click out of the locked position.

If your Tapo C200 camera is unresponsive after a firmware update and only shows four red dots (which are the infrared LEDs), it may have encountered an error during the update process. Please try the following steps to recover the device:

• Perform a Hard Reset: Locate the reset button by tilting the camera lens upward. Press and hold the RESET button for at least 5 seconds until the LED blinks red. This should restore the camera to factory settings.
• Check the Power Supply: Ensure you are using the original power adapter provided with the camera. Insufficient power can sometimes cause the camera to fail during or after an update.
• Power Cycle: Unplug the camera from the power outlet, wait for 30 seconds, and plug it back in to see if the system LED begins to blink red and green (indicating it is ready for setup).
• Manual Firmware Recovery: If the camera remains stuck with only the red IR lights visible and does not respond to a reset, the firmware may be corrupted. In this case, it is recommended to contact TP-Link Technical Support at www.tapo.com/support or via email at app.support@tp-link.com.

Since you mentioned the device has not been physically damaged and is under warranty, you may be eligible for a replacement if these recovery steps do not work.

The error message “You seem to have reached your device's limit for playing this video. Please try again later.” typically indicates that the maximum number of devices (such as phones or tablets) are already viewing the camera's video stream at the same time.

Tapo cameras have a limit on how many simultaneous streams can be active at once to ensure stable performance. If you or someone you've shared access with is already watching the live feed or a recording, you may see this error when you try to watch as well.

To resolve this, please try the following steps:

• Check if other family members or shared users are currently viewing the camera's feed on their devices. If so, ask one of them to close the stream.
• Ensure you do not have the Tapo app open and streaming the camera on another one of your own devices (like a tablet or another phone).
• Completely close the Tapo app on your device and then reopen it to try again.
• If the issue persists, try restarting the camera by unplugging it from power for 30 seconds and then plugging it back in. This can help clear any sessions that may be stuck.

Restarting a Tapo camera remotely requires the camera to have an active internet connection and be reachable via the Tapo app. If the camera has completely lost its connection to your Wi-Fi or the internet, it cannot receive a restart command from the app while you are away.

If the camera is still online but behaving poorly, you can restart it through the app:

• Open the Tapo App.
• On the Live View page, tap the Settings (gear icon).
• Scroll down and look for a Reboot Camera or Auto Reboot option.

Troubleshooting for Offline Cameras:
If the camera is "offline" in the app, remote restarting is generally not possible because the communication link is broken. To prevent this in the future, many users utilize a Tapo Smart Plug for the camera's power source. This allows you to "power cycle" the camera by turning the plug off and back on remotely, even if the camera itself is unresponsive (provided the smart plug remains connected to your Wi-Fi).

If the camera frequently stops working, ensure your Wi-Fi signal is strong at the camera's location and that your firmware is up to date in the Camera Settings menu.

It is highly unlikely that two Tapo C310 cameras have the same MAC address, as these are unique identifiers assigned at the factory. If you are having trouble linking the second camera, please follow these steps to ensure a fresh setup:

• Perform a Hard Reset: Locate the reset button on the camera (usually under a cover near the SD card slot). While the camera is powered on, press and hold the reset button for at least 5 seconds until the LED blinks red to indicate the camera is resetting to factory defaults.
• Check LED Status: Wait for the LED to blink red and green. This indicates the camera is ready for setup.
• Use the Tapo App: Open the Tapo app, tap the + button, and select your specific model (C310). Follow the in-app instructions to connect to the camera's temporary Wi-Fi signal and then link it to your home network.
• Verify Router Settings: If the camera still won't connect, check your router's client list. If you see an entry that you believe is a duplicate, try restarting your router to clear its ARP cache.

If the app explicitly reports a MAC address conflict, please contact TP-Link technical support at app.support@tp-link.com or visit www.tapo.com/support, as this would indicate a rare manufacturing defect that requires a replacement under warranty.

To address your request for the Tapo C200, there are two parts: managing the IP address and setting up the computer stream.

1. Changing the IP Address

Tapo cameras typically use DHCP to obtain an IP address automatically from your router. If the camera's IP (192.168.68.103) is outside your router's range, it usually means the camera was previously connected to a different network or the router's DHCP settings have changed. To fix this:

• Reset the Camera: Tilt the camera lens upward to find the RESET button. Press and hold it for at least 5 seconds until the LED blinks red. This clears old network settings.
• Reconfigure: Open the Tapo app and follow the 'Set Up' steps to reconnect the camera to your current Wi-Fi. Your router will then assign it a valid IP within its range.
• Static IP: If you want to manually set a specific IP, you must do this through your router's settings by using 'Address Reservation' (binding the camera's MAC address to a specific IP).

2. Viewing on a Computer (VLC)

Tapo cameras support the ONVIF/RTSP protocol, which allows viewing in applications like VLC. Follow these steps:

• Create Camera Account: In the Tapo app, go to Camera Settings > Advanced Settings > Camera Account. Create a username and password (this is different from your Tapo login).
• Find the IP Address: In the Tapo app, go to Camera Settings and look for the IP Address (ensure it is now in the correct range).
• Open Stream in VLC: Open VLC on your PC, go to Media > Open Network Stream, and enter the following URL: rtsp://username:password@IP Address:554/stream1 (replace username, password, and IP Address with your specific details).

To ensure a recorded sequence is saved and not overwritten by the camera's loop recording feature, you can use the Playback & Memory feature in the Tapo app. Follow these steps:

• Open the Tapo app and select your camera from the home page.
• Tap on Playback & Memory (or Camera Playback) at the bottom of the live view screen.
• Locate the specific sequence you want to save on the timeline.
• Use the Record icon (camera/video camera symbol) while the footage is playing to record that specific clip directly to the app's internal memory.
• Once finished, go to the Memory tab within the app. From there, you can select the clip and tap the Share or Save icon to export it directly to your smartphone's photo gallery or cloud storage.

Additionally, if you have a Tapo Care subscription, your recordings are saved to the cloud for up to 30 days, providing an extra layer of protection against local data loss on the SD card.