Milesight Camera Connection & Activation Guide
Applies to: Milesight Smart Tools v2.4 and current (as of 2025) Milesight IP cameras. More details on Smart Tools usage and in-depth camera configuration information can be found in this Milesight article.
Overview
Milesight Smart Tools can discover and activate cameras across different subnets ...
Step 1 — Discover & Activate Camera
- Launch Milesight Smart Tools → IPC Tools.
(Watch the video below for a step-by-step guide.) - Click Search/Refresh. Detected cameras will appear even if they are on a different subnet (e.g., camera
192.168.5.xvs. PC192.168.1.x). - If the camera is new, you must activate it by setting a strong admin password.
Note: New Milesight models have no default password. - After activation, you can modify its network settings.
Step 2 — Change Camera IP (Preferred Method)
It is recommended to place the camera into your LAN subnet for normal access:
1. In Smart Tools, select the camera and click Modify.
2. Set a new IP in your LAN’s subnet (e.g., if router is 192.168.1.1, choose 192.168.1.50).
3. Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0.
4. Gateway: your router’s IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
5. Save. The camera is now reachable via its new IP, and the web interface can be accessed
normally.
Important: Only when the camera is on the same subnet can you enable DHCP from the Smart
Tools Network tab.
Step 3 — Alternative: Add a Secondary IP to Your PC
If you don’t know available LAN IPs, temporarily assign your PC an IP in the camera’s subnet:
Step 4 — Enable DHCP (Same Subnet Required)
Once the camera is in the same subnet as your PC:
1. In Smart Tools, go to the Network tab.
2. Select your camera and enable DHCP, then apply changes.
3. Refresh/Search in Smart Tools and the camera’s new DHCP-assigned IP will be displayed
directly.
Note: No need to check your router; Smart Tools shows the updated address.
Note for 4G/5G Cellular Models
- Initial Setup Still Required: All Milesight 4G/5G cameras must first be discovered and activated on LAN using Smart Tools, just like standard IP models.
- Password Setup: You must complete activation and set an admin password locally before the camera can operate on cellular.
- Cellular Configuration: Once activated and reachable on LAN, log into the camera’s web UI → Network → Cellular. Insert and configure the SIM (APN, PIN if required).
- Standalone Cellular Use: After the SIM is configured and connected, the camera can function over 4G/5G only, without a LAN cable, but initial steps cannot be skipped.
Final Notes
- Discovery and activation work across subnets via Smart Tools.
- Full configuration, DHCP enablement, and web login require the camera and PC to share the same subnet.
- No default credentials: New Milesight models require activation and a user-defined admin password on first use. Store it securely.
- If the password is lost, a hardware reset and re-activation may be required.