Do I Need Internet for a WIFI Camera?

Yes, you need internet for a WIFI camera. The main purpose of a WIFI camera is to view its live feed and review any recorded video through an interactive service platform. By connecting to a WIFI network, the security camera can make its live video feed available for real-time viewing.

WIFI refers to a wireless internet communications protocol. For all intents and purposes, WIFI is internet service. So without internet service, a WIFI camera is essentially useless. The primary function of a WIFI camera is to send any recorded video across a WIFI network so that it can be viewed in real-time. This viewing usually takes place through an interactive platform, such as Total Connect 2.0 or Alarm.com.

But without internet service, the camera would have no way of sending out the live feed of its video. In other words, it would be unable to reach an interactive service platform. And since it would be unable to reach an interactive service platform, an end user would have no way of viewing the video. What it all comes down to is that a WIFI camera needs an active WIFI connection (internet service) to perform its duties.

But a security camera does not necessarily have to use WIFI to communicate with an interactive service platform. Some security cameras send out video using a hardwired ethernet connection. But just like WIFI, this requires active internet service. Remember, a security camera is only useful if a user has some way of saving and viewing any captured video. For IP cameras, a WIFI or ethernet connection is needed.

Once the camera is online and activated, a user can use an interactive service platform to view its live feed. This is typically done through a web browser or remotely using the mobile app for that interactive service platform. Most services will allow any recorded video to be permanently saved for later viewing.