Installing security camera on MacBook Air 13' M3

[sunnyjohn2]

My son bought me this at my request for Christmass so that we could access information while travelling (we don't have smartphones). One reason was so we could instal a security camera - all the apps run on IOS. I first bought a Eufy C220 but was unable to get past the registration procedure. I contacted support but they did not seem to understand the problem and their system would not accept my screenshots.

I obtained a refund for the Eufy and now have a Blink - a nice little camera. With a lot of really helpful advice from their support, I have managed to get the MacBook to recognise the camera. It runs, however, on its own wifi network and I cannot see how to have it run on my wifi internet system. When it shows in the wifi window, my internet is grayed out and if I change to my internet wifi the Blink network is frayed out (see screenshots)

It seems to me that what I need to do is to configure it so that it runs on my internet wifi. Does anyone know how I might do that?

 

[raythompsontn]

Usually during initial setup the external device will present its own network. You access the device using that network, then tell the device about the real network, your network. It has to be done on the device. The procedure should be covered in the instructions. You will need to use the Blink App.

Setting Up Your Sync Module XR — Blink Support

Getting Started If you're new to Blink, we're here to help you get started. Begin by downloading the Blink app and creating your account. Once you have com

support.blinkforhome.com

 

[sunnyjohn2]

Thanks. That link is for the Synch module but I do have a similar set of instructions for the Blink Mini. I've been advised to follow these and, when the camera network appears, to click on it and select the network to which I want it joined. However, no matter where I click, I am unable to produce a list of networks.

 

[raythompsontn]

You have to do the setup from the app on an iPhone, not on the Mac.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

No. The reason I bought this MacBook Air M3 is because it runs IOS - the system used by iPhones. that is not the problem. I have downloaded and opened the camera app successfully.

I can get the camera to say that it is on the system but I need to change the wifi so that it runs from my internet hub. I've discovered via a Vodafone blog that the problem may be with regard to a security setting in the Vodafone modem that blocks the addition of a camera onto the system. It is possible to go into the router settings and cancel that setting, so I will give it a go and let you know how I get on.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

Vodafone suggests downloading their app but I am unable to do this because it requires a later iOS than I appear to have on the MacBook Air. However, I can find nowhere at all among the settings and general systems information that even states that it is running iOS. I know it is because I have successfully downloaded and opened two iOS apps. How can I find out what iOS I have?

 

[avheatherim]

Vodafone suggests downloading their app but I am unable to do this because it requires a later iOS than I appear to have on the MacBook Air. However, I can find nowhere at all among the settings and general systems information that even states that it is running iOS. I know it is because I have successfully downloaded and opened two iOS apps. How can I find out what iOS I have?

A mac does not run iOS, it runs MacOS. iOS is only on iPhones and iPads. Many app makers make the same app available to both, so it appears that you can download iOS apps on a mac device.

How to Run iPhone and iPad Apps on Your Mac

If your Mac has an Apple Silicon chip, it can run supported iOS and iPadOS apps. Here's how to get your mobile apps running on your laptop or desktop.

www.pcmag.com

Notably this part: Note that you may find that not all your iPhone and iPad apps are available for download. Developers have the option to opt out from allowing their apps to work on a Mac. For example, Instagram cannot be used on a laptop or desktop (you can view your account from the web, though). Other apps may be available for download but may not have been fully tested by the developer, so they may not work correctly.

 

[NYCValkyrie]

If you have Android phones, use the Android app for setup. There are instructions for setup in there also. You'll be able to access it via any app (Android or iOS) once it's set up. https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.immediasemi.android.blink&hl=en-US

 

[avheatherim]

After some more searching, I found this.

Is there any way to watch Blink Cameras on your Mac/PC Computer?

Amazon Digital and Device Forum United States

amazonforum.my.site.com

Looks like you can view the cameras using the Blink Home Monitor app on your mac. Although I am unsure if you can use that same app to set them up.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

No. The reason I bought this MacBook Air M3 is because it runs IOS - the system used by iPhones.

Well..... not exactly 😬

SOME iOS apps will run to SOME extent on M-series Macs. SOME iOS app developers support that feature and many (most) do not.

Essentially - if the app dev says it'll run and will support it, you're good to go. Otherwise you get what you get ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

 

[sunnyjohn2]

OK, thanks to you all.

So how do I get a security camera to run on my Mac?

 

[sunnyjohn2]

p.s. I do not have a smartphone an iPad, an iPod, an iPhone or any other of those unnecessary gismo's. Probably because of that, no-one will want to break in to my property while I m away, but I would still like a security camera!

 

[raythompsontn]

So how do I get a security camera to run on my Mac?

I do not have a smartphone an iPad, an iPod, an iPhone or any other of those unnecessary gismo's

Then you are most likely not able to do so. A smartphone is required for what you have purchased. Maybe borrow someone else’s phone. Even then accessing on the Mac is not certain.

All the devices I have used require setup to be done with a smart phone. The phone connects to the temporary WiFi network presented by the device. You do this with an app on the phone. Not on the Mac. You then inform the device of your WiFi network, SSID and password. You then access the device, using the app, on your WiFi network.

Whether you can access the camera from the Mac will depend on if the device maker provides a MacOS version that can access the device.

With what you have, the Mac, the device, and no smartphone, you are out of luck. There may be other solutions available with a different device.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

Thank you all for your help. You have convinced me that the limited iOS on the MacBook is insufficient to power security cameras, so I have solved the problem another way. Meanwhile I can get a refund on the Blink (I always save the packaging!) and buy another USB Logitech to give me a bit more flexibility.

My iMac has a built-in camera and my wife's Mac mini has a Logitech USB camera fitted to the LG screen. I've downloaded SecuritySpy and it sees both cameras. I can extend the USB lead on the Logitech camera and position it in the passage, and the iMac I can position so that it can see the door. They will stream to my MacBook remotely via SecuritySpy. Problem solved!

Thanks again.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

So how do I get a security camera to run on my Mac?

I guess it depends on how you define “run on my Mac.” Big caveat here, I DO have iPhone, iPad, etc so HomeKit Secure Video is a great solution for me but those (for whatever reason) do seem to require iPhone/ipad to set up.

If I were you I’d look into a security camera “system” with a local controller/recorder box. They don’t seem to be crazy-expensive, here’s one example: https://a.co/d/6oTnUrT - just skimming the user guide it looks like it will work without a smartphone?

 

[sunnyjohn2]

Many thanks - see above!

 

[raythompsontn]

You have convinced me that the limited iOS on the MacBook is insufficient to power security cameras

Such is not the case. IOS does not run on a MacBook. MacBook runs MacOS, IOS runs on iPhones and iPads.

The limitation is not either of those operating systems, it is the limitation of the installation process. If you had read the instructions this is clearly stated. The requirements are also stated on the box.

If you owned a Windows machine you would have encountered the same issue.

A USB connected camera requires a different approach than a WiFi connected camera.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

Such is not the case. IOS does not run on a MacBook. MacBook runs MacOS, IOS runs on iPhones and iPads.

That is strange, because Apple says it does, and I have been able to download and run iOS apps from the Apple Store

The limitation is not either of those operating systems, it is the limitation of the installation process. If you had read the instructions this is clearly stated. The requirements are also stated on the box.

Indeed they are and, believe it or not, I do always read all the instructions - it's something you are taught to do a as an ex-Aircraft engineer.

If you owned a Windows machine you would have encountered the same issue.

I do have windows on my Mac via Boot Camp.

A USB connected camera requires a different approach than a WiFi connected camera.

It does indeed, and I thought that I had explained that in my post.

Happy New Year

 

[raythompsontn]

That is strange, because Apple says it does, and I have been able to download and run iOS apps from the Apple Store

It is obvious I did not make myself clear.

IOS and MacOS are different operation systems. I cannot run MacOS apps on my iPhone, nor can I run IOS apps on my MacBook. The fact that an IOS app runs on MacOS is because the developer ported the IOS app to MacOS.

It is impossible to run a native IOS app on MacOS. That may change in the future but that is entirely up to Apple.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

From PC Mag:
To download iPhone and iPad apps on your Mac, launch the App Store from your computer and click your account name in the bottom-left corner. This will show the apps you have downloaded and purchased through your account, across various devices.


Select the iPhone & iPad Apps text to see all the apps from those devices that can be installed to your Mac. Paid apps will be available to download again for free, though some may need to have a current subscription to fully function.

Note that you may find that not all your iPhone and iPad apps are available for download. Developers have the option to opt out from allowing their apps to work on a Mac. For example, Instagram cannot be used on a laptop or desktop (you can view your account from the web, though). Other apps may be available for download but may not have been fully tested by the developer, so they may not work correctly.

 

[avheatherim]

From PC Mag:
To download iPhone and iPad apps on your Mac, launch the App Store from your computer and click your account name in the bottom-left corner. This will show the apps you have downloaded and purchased through your account, across various devices.


Select the iPhone & iPad Apps text to see all the apps from those devices that can be installed to your Mac. Paid apps will be available to download again for free, though some may need to have a current subscription to fully function.

Note that you may find that not all your iPhone and iPad apps are available for download. Developers have the option to opt out from allowing their apps to work on a Mac. For example, Instagram cannot be used on a laptop or desktop (you can view your account from the web, though). Other apps may be available for download but may not have been fully tested by the developer, so they may not work correctly.

This should say "apps that were made for iPhone, iPad, and Mac by the developers". That's all it means. If you install Microsoft Edge on a Mac, that doesn't mean the mac is automatically a Windows machine.

 

[raythompsontn]

Developers have the option to opt out from allowing their apps to work on a Mac. For example, Instagram cannot be used on a laptop or desktop

This is the important point. Many apps that work on the iPad or iPhone will not work on the Mac because the developer has not made the app for the Mac.

For example. The Blackmagic Design app will not work on my Mac but works fine on my iPhone. Same goes for Sirius/XM app. Messenger, Uber, Shark, Roborock, etc. The list is long.

Conversely there are apps on the Mac that will not work on the iPhone or iPad. I have serveral photo apps that can only be used on the Mac. The IOS devices are a different platform than MacOS. Similar but different.

Many devices that require WiFi and are designed for IOS (iPhone and iPad) present themselves as a private WiFi network. This network must be connected to on the IOS device where the app is installed. Within that app the credentials for the main network, the WiFi network in the house, is presented to the device via the app. Once the device has that information its temporary network will disappear and the device will connect to the main WiFi network. Once there the app for the device can access the device.

A Mac cannot connect to the temporary WiFi network of the device and provide the main WiFi credentials. Every device I have seen that allows remote connections, such as cameras, light switches, thermostats, wall plugs, garage door openers require and IOS device or Android device to set the initial connection and setup.

There are probably exceptions but none that I am aware of or used.

 

[sunnyjohn2]

You're right, Ray. That is exactly the problem I had with both camera apps. They downloaded and the cameras worked but could not be connected to my internet wi fi. Took a long time for me to work that out, but got there in the end!

 

[Heinzja]

I am using this :
Presence Video Security Camera by People Power Company
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/presence-video-security-camera/id618598211

It’s free and works with everything.... you can use even an old iPhone 4-5-6 etc as a camera if you still have one in draw or by.(CEX £30-40 free with warranty) lyca sim £5GB data/month or so (i use now smarty 80GB data/£8 month unlimited calls and text) in it and you don’t even need a laptop to access the camera, it will work with a Library/ Public Computer to view the footages well ... tiny little data used by camera, (30mb/day) so no need for WiFi at home and Phone (plugged in) is unlimited in usage time and you can move it around wherever you want the “camera”.... brilliant and simple! - works as well with any Laptop, IPhone or Android... just log into your account and see the “movement activated footage” - alarm via text or email all can be tailored to your need...

Just an idea, without the trouble with setup and restrictions for access....