Wyze cameras are smart, affordable, and popular. But do they work without WiFi? The answer is both yes and no. It depends on what you want to do with them.
How Wyze Cameras Work
Wyze cameras rely on the internet to stream video, send notifications, and save recordings to the cloud. They connect to your WiFi and use the Wyze app for remote access.
But what if you don’t have WiFi? Can you still use them? Let’s find out!
Using Wyze Without WiFi
If you don’t have an internet connection, your Wyze camera will have some limitations. However, certain features will still work.
What Works Without WiFi?
- Local recording: Wyze cameras support microSD cards. If you insert one, the camera can record video directly to it.
- Live view on the same network: If the camera is connected to a WiFi network but without internet, you may still be able to see a live feed when connected to the same network.
- Powering on: The camera will turn on and operate, though it won’t have full functionality.
What Doesn’t Work Without WiFi?
- Live streaming remotely: Without an internet connection, you can’t view the camera from anywhere else.
- App controls: Most of the settings require an internet connection to sync with the Wyze cloud.
- Motion alerts: Without WiFi, the camera won’t send motion detection alerts to your phone.
- Cloud storage: No internet means no saving video clips to the cloud.
Setting Up Wyze Without WiFi
To use Wyze without WiFi, follow these steps:
- Insert a microSD card into the camera.
- Turn the camera on while connected to WiFi for the first setup.
- Once set up, disconnect the WiFi if needed.
- The camera will continue recording to the microSD card as long as it has power.
One important thing to note is that you need WiFi during the initial setup. After that, you can unplug the internet, and the camera will still record to the SD card.
Alternative Ways to Use Wyze Without Internet
If you don’t have a home internet connection but still want some remote features, here are some options:
Use a Mobile Hotspot
You can connect your Wyze camera to a mobile hotspot. This allows you to access it remotely without a WiFi router.
Use a Travel Router
A travel router can create a local WiFi network without internet. If your phone connects to the same network, you might be able to access the camera.
Is Wyze the Right Choice Without WiFi?
If you need a fully offline security camera, Wyze might not be the best choice. A better option would be a camera designed specifically for offline use, like battery-powered surveillance cameras with local DVR recording.
However, if you’re okay with just local recordings and no remote access, then Wyze can still work for you.
Conclusion
Wyze cameras need WiFi for most of their features, but they can still function in a limited way without it. If you use a microSD card, you can keep recording even without the internet.
Still, if you want live streaming, cloud storage, and notifications, you’ll need WiFi. If you’re okay with just local video storage, then Wyze might still work for you without the internet.
Now that you know how Wyze works without WiFi, you can decide if it’s the right choice for your setup!
