Introduction

This web page contains interesting titbits I have learned using the Tapo security system on an Android phone.

Downloading Video Clips

Note: you cannot download clips directly from the camera if you are not connected to the same network. You can, however, play the clips and record them to your phone, then process them from there.

Download clips when connected to the same network

These instructions assume that the videos are being saved to the camera. Navigate to saved-videos from any of these screens: -Home>Tap on required camera>Playback and Download -Cameras> Tap on required camera>Playback and Download -Me>Playback and Download>Tap Camera The Playback tab will show all videos still on the camera. To download a video: -Tap the video so it gets the blue border -Tap the three dots menu -Tap Download Playback tab: Video wanted: Three dots>Download Message: “Downloading to camera memory” This would make more sense if it said ““Downloading to phone memory”, because it was on the “camera” in the first place. On Download tab, the video is shown (down the bottom “Download complete”) Video is now on the phone, in the DCIM/Tapo folder. If you tap the video shown on the Download tab, it will play. On that screen, if you tap “Download” you get a message “saved to album”, which in reality just saves another copy of the same video, into the same DCIM/Tapo folder but with a slightly different name.

Download clips when not connected to the same network

Saving Live Videos

If viewing a camera and you want to record it live, hit the Record button. When the recording and storage is set to Local Recording ie on the camera, the recording will be saved directly to your phone’s SD card (for Android, it will be in the DCIM/Tapo folder).
Tapo Security Information

Introduction

This web page contains interesting titbits I have learned using the Tapo security system on an Android phone.

Downloading Video Clips

Note: you cannot download clips directly from the camera if you are not connected to the same network. You can, however, play the clips and record them to your phone, then process them from there.

Download clips when connected to the

same network

These instructions assume that the videos are being saved to the camera. Navigate to saved-videos from any of these screens: -Home>Tap on required camera>Playback and Download -Cameras> Tap on required camera>Playback and Download -Me>Playback and Download>Tap Camera The Playback tab will show all videos still on the camera. To download a video: -Tap the video so it gets the blue border -Tap the three dots menu -Tap Download Playback tab: Video wanted: Three dots>Download Message: “Downloading to camera memory” This would make more sense if it said ““Downloading to phone memory”, because it was on the “camera” in the first place. On Download tab, the video is shown (down the bottom “Download complete”) Video is now on the phone, in the DCIM/Tapo folder. If you tap the video shown on the Download tab, it will play. On that screen, if you tap “Download” you get a message “saved to album”, which in reality just saves another copy of the same video, into the same DCIM/Tapo folder but with a slightly different name.

Download clips when not connected to the

same network

Saving Live Videos

If viewing a camera and you want to record it live, hit the Record button. When the recording and storage is set to Local Recording ie on the camera, the recording will be saved directly to your phone’s SD card (for Android, it will be in the DCIM/Tapo folder).