A while ago, a friend of mine was setting up multiple Reolink cameras – Reolink Argus 2 and Reolink RLC-410 PoE cameras around her house. Soon after getting all the cameras up and running, she came to me asking whether her husband could also view the cameras on his mobile phone. The answer, of course, is a YES! So today, we will figure out how to view or share your cameras with your friends or families easily.
Table of Contents:
- Can Two People View the Camera Simultaneously
- How Many People Can View a Camera at the Same Time
- How to Access Cameras on Multiple Devices Simultaneously
- Conclusion
The important information you need to know before reading is as follows:
| Situation | People view a camera simultaneously |
| Number of Users | Up to 12/8 |
| Devices | Smartphone/computer/laptop |
| Recommended Camera | Reolink security cameras |
Can Two People View/Access the Camera online at the Same Time
It largely depends on what brand of security cameras you are using.
For example, an Arlo user said she and her husband couldn't view their Arlo camera on their mobile phones at the same time and she will be bumped off or kicked out when her husband is viewing the camera feed or vice versa.
However, it's an entirely different case if you are using Reolink security cameras, such as Reolink RLC-410 IP camera multiple users (even up to 12 people) could view or live stream camera video on multiple devices such as mobile phones, laptops (Mac), iPad or computers simultaneously.
Yes, they nail that.
Reolink RLC-410
PoE Bullet IP Security Camera with Audio
5MP/4MP Super HD; Outdoor/Indoor Protection; 100ft Infrared Night Vision; Audio Recording; Mobile Remote Access & Control.
Security cameras like Logitech and Amcrest also allow multiple accesses to the same camera at the same time. NETGEAR Arlo does allow users to grant access to friends and family with different emails/accounts instead of the same account like Reolink does.
How Many People Can View/Watch My Cameras at the Same Time
Many security cameras allow multiple users to view or stream video feeds from the same camera simultaneously.
For example, Reolink RLC-423 and other PoE IP cameras allow up to 12 people (same account) to view live feeds at the same time on Smartphone, computer (Windows/Mac), or laptop, which supports up to two users streaming in mainstream (stream with highest-resolution and clarity) concurrently.
Battery cameras like Reolink Argus 2 also allow up to 8 people to stream videos simultaneously with 2 people viewing main-stream videos on mobile phones.
Multiple user simultaneous viewing either on a mobile phone, computer or laptop is extremely helpful if you and your wife or your family or friends are accessing the camera at the same time, even remotely.
Reolink Argus 2
100% Wire-Free Starlight Camera
Rechargeable Battery & Solar Powered; Outdoor/Indoor Protection; 1080 Full HD; Starlight Night Vision; 2-Way Audio; Live View Anytime Anywhere.
While many other cameras might not support multiple users (same account) streaming at the same time. Arlo cameras won't allow the same account being logged in simultaneously.
Note: Many cameras do have an administrator account (master account) and allow for multiple guest accounts, which doesn't translate into the fact that many people can access the camera with one account/login info at the same time. Many users could access the camera via different user accounts (administer accounts and guest accounts with limited access).
How to Access/View Cameras on Multiple Devices Simultaneously
It's always nice to have friends and family to help to check in or to keep tabs on your house every now and then.
To do so, users normally could grant or share their login accounts with my friends or family, create a guest/friend account, or invite friends or family to view camera feeds.
For example, in order to allow friends or family to view or access Reolink IP security cameras on different devices, users could follow the steps below:
Scenario 1: Share Access with Friends/Family in the Same Local Area Network (LAN)
- 1. Ask friends/family to download Reolink apps (iOS & Android) to their Smartphone or computer/Mac/laptop.
- 2. Launch Reolink apps and software. All existing Reolink cameras will automatically show up on the Device List.
- 3. Choose and enter correct user account login information (username and password).
Scenario 2: Share Access with Friends/Family outside Local Area Network (LAN)
To grant access to a second device or your wife or husband, you could share your cameras' QR code (UID) to them and allow them to scan the QR code to view/stream the camera live feeds.
- 1. Ask friends/family to download Reolink apps (iOS& Android) to their Smartphone or computer/Mac/laptop.
- 2. Launch Reolink app, click "Add New Device".
- 3. Other users could add the camera to the list either by scanning the QR code or enter UID (provided by you).
- 4. Ask them to enter the correct user account login information (username and password).
Note: You don't need to configure or set up the camera again. Next time your devices are connected to the internet, you shall be able to view or stream live video feeds automatically. If you are using Arlo, then you should use Grant Access in Settings to add a person using a different email address and invite your friends or family to follow the invite email directions.
Keep in mind that Arlo system only supports streaming up to 4 cameras concurrently (at the same time) per base station. If you do want to allow multiple users online streaming at the same time, you do need to get multiple Arlo base stations though.
Conclusion
Many IP cameras allow multiple users to view or stream camera live feeds online at the same time on different devices. However, streaming live feeds from security cameras on multiple devices will require a lot of network bandwidth.
To gain a better viewing experience and privacy, it's important to limit access and take other security measures to shore up security, such as regularly changing the user account passwords or create a strong password.
On my side there is problem. I am admin and created several common (guest) accounts for my partners, not friends. It is important to me that partners could not change commont account password and don't see my wi-fi password. But from Reolink windows app they can change own password and see my wifi password. When this will be fixed in Windows app?
Hi, there, thank you for your suggestions. I've forwarded your advice to our R&D team and they'll fix it as soon as possible.
Olivia, thanks a lot for your support. I am happy to work with Reolink, excellent company. Waiting for fix.
Hi Olivia,
your multiple users wifi camera is exactly what I am looking for.
Please let me know what is your product description for this feature in your manual in English
multiple users
multi access
shared video
or multi concurrent users
since buying wifi cameras I have never read anything of this kind.
My project is to let 2-3 drivers to watch a front of a car, while driving, or stopping at stop sign
Since starting an app on smartphone or tablet takes some time and wifi pairing takes another few seconds
I tried to turn wifi camera into video broadcasting mode, like DVB-T transmitter, one to many.
Byt it takes too much time to get application developed to read the same video stream.
Please email me if you can
manta103g@gmail.com
thank you
Hi there, multiple users/access refers to that you and the authorized users (like your friends or family) can access the Reolink cameras and NVRs at the same time. In your case, I'm afraid that Reolink WiFi cameras are not the ideal options to meet your needs.
I have run into a problem with users accessing ReoLink 420 ipcams with the phone app – every time they check the livefeed, they use up a login session. After 12 sessions are used up, no one can access the feed any more, including a windows client acting as an NVR. It seems that closing the app on the phone doesn't log the user off, so the limit of 12 is reached very quickly. I have had to log into the ipcam remotely and reboot it to get it working again.
Hello there, please submit a request and contact with our support team here, https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/requests/new. Also, specify the following in the request: 1) Do the 12 users log in again after you reboot the IP camera? 2) If yes, can you access the feed successfully this time? 3) Or do you receive any notifications like ”connection failed”? 4) If yes, attach a screenshot of the live feed screen on your app and Client. Hope that the issue will get solved soon.
I am in contact with Cherry in support and she recommended a firmware update, which initially I could not get to work, but I finally got it updated. I'll see if it fixes the multiple login problem, but it introduced a strange side effect of not letting me go to the configuration anymore.
Hi there, we have forwarded your case to our support team and they will come back to you soon. Please let me know if you have encountered any other question.
Hello Olivia, im looking for a camera that can be seen in real time for 12 or more persons (Acoounts) with motion detection push notifications for every device.
1 Admin. account +12 or more guests accounts, is this possible with reolink cameras?
Hello Rodrigo, Reolink PoE & WiFi IP security cameras allow up to 12 people (same account) to view live feeds at the same time via smartphone, PC (Windows/Mac), or laptop while that for Reolink battery-powered cameras is 8.
Of course, all of the users will receive push notifications when the cameras detect motions. You may click here to find the best cameras for your needs, https://store.reolink.com. Let me know if you have any questions.
Hi. My brother's girlfriend has the app with our user and pass login on her phone. I changed the password but im pretty sure she can still see the cameras. how can I kick her out of being able to see the cameras? Like how can I make sure when she goes on the app she won't be able to see the cameras and possibly be prompted to enter username and pass, which she won't have in this case. Thanks.
can me and my wife view same feed from different phones on the Reolink Argus 2?????
Hello Wimbish, yes, you can share the camera to your wife so both of you can view same feed from different phones. Here is a how-to guide for your reference, https://support.reolink.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006916814-How-to-Share-Your-Configured-Cameras-NVRs-with-Others-Other-Phones-. Hope this helps.
You can have a different password for the other cameras so they will see it in the app just won't be able to actually see the live video feed. It will be blurred and ask for a password.
Can you explain this more? I have RLN8_410 with 8 ip cameras. I want my landlord and neighbors to be able
to access the cameras however NOT access the ones inside my unit. I cannot figure out how this can be done.
Hello, is there a limit on number of devices if directly connect to RTSP stream instead of going through your app?