Milesight Camera Connection & Activation Guide

Applies to: Milesight Smart Tools v2.4.0.5-r6 (2025-07-16) and current Milesight IP cameras.

On this page
  1. Overview
  2. Step 1 — Discover & Activate
  3. Step 2 — Change Camera IP (Preferred)
  4. Step 3 — Alternative: Add a Secondary IP to Your PC
  5. Step 4 — Enable DHCP (same subnet required)
  6. Final Notes

Overview

Milesight Smart Tools can discover and activate cameras across different subnets (discovery uses protocols that are not limited strictly to your LAN’s subnet). However, for full access to the web interface and DHCP configuration, the camera must be on the same subnet as your computer.

Step 1 — Discover & Activate Camera

  1. Open Milesight Smart Tools → IP Config.
  2. Click Search. Cameras appear even if they are on a different subnet (e.g., camera 192.168.5.x while PC is 192.168.1.x).
  3. Activate the camera if prompted by setting a strong admin password.
    New Milesight models have no default password — activation requires you to set one.
  4. After activation, network settings can be modified.

Step 2 — Change Camera IP (Preferred Method)

Place the camera into your LAN’s subnet so you can use the web interface normally.

  1. In Smart Tools, select the camera → click Modify.
  2. Set a new IP in your LAN’s subnet (e.g., router 192.168.1.1 ⇒ camera 192.168.1.50).
  3. Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0
  4. Gateway: your router IP (e.g., 192.168.1.1).
  5. Save. The camera is now reachable via its new IP and the web interface will work on your LAN.

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 which IPs are free on your LAN, you can temporarily add a secondary IP on your computer in the camera’s default subnet.

OS Instructions
Windows Control Panel → Network and Sharing Center → Change adapter settings → Right-click your adapter → Properties → Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4) → Properties → Advanced… → Add…
Set IP: 192.168.5.100   Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0   Gateway: (leave blank)
macOS System Settings/Preferences → Network → Select adapter → Advanced… → TCP/IP tab → add a second address:
IP: 192.168.5.100   Subnet Mask: 255.255.255.0   Router: (blank)
Linux Run:
sudo ip addr add 192.168.5.100/24 dev eth0   (replace eth0 with your interface)

With the secondary IP added, you can reach the camera’s web UI at its default address (e.g., 192.168.5.110) and then change its IP.

Step 4 — Enable DHCP (Same Subnet Required)

  1. When the camera and PC are on the same subnet, open Smart Tools → Network tab.
  2. Select your camera and enable DHCP, then apply.
  3. Click Search/Refresh in IP Config — the camera’s new DHCP-assigned IP will appear directly in Smart Tools.

You do not need to check your router/DHCP server; Smart Tools shows the updated address after refresh.

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.