New aosu camera. Thought I would give it a shot. I have a remote location (job site) and thought I could set up a few cameras, connect them to a router and then poll them with my phone when I show up. I certainly do not want to deal with the hassle (and expense of an ISP)
The camera gets stuck on registering with the router that I intend to use (not connected to the internet).. Tried my other router which is connected to the web and it registers the camera just fine.
I guessed that perhaps some stupid product registration was involved to make the thing work. Then I tried again to connect to the other router (the one with no internet) and same problem as before, hanging up on registering…
So while I may not be able to get remote alerts or operate the camera remotely without internet (obviously), not being able to set the thing up without an internet connection makes no sense. Perhaps there is a reason as far as enabling or disabling features, but sure seems to me like being able to use the thing without internet makes good sense. No, moving around a ladder and climbing up to remove and replace sd cards is not an option.
My next try may be to connect my old router to the internet, make the connection to the camera, then disconnect the internet and see what happens. Of course even if the above works what happens when I want to connect a few more cameras (the general plan)…Not gonna work.
Pretty disappointed I am. Not gonna work for me.. Spent many hours trying to figure this thing out including looking into a pc emulator for the android ap… That also does not seem to work..
Probably going back to amazon… Too bad, looked like some good features on the hardware side
‘We completely understand your intention to deploy the camera without an internet connection — especially in temporary setups like remote job sites or outdoor projects.
Why the Camera Won’t Set Up Without Internet
AOSU cameras (like many other cloud-based smart cams) require an internet connection during initial setup because:
Device registration and authentication happen via AOSU’s cloud servers.
Firmware checks/updates are often forced before proceeding.
The mobile app needs to link your account to the device via cloud APIs.
This means that even if the camera itself could function in a local-only setup later (like saving to SD card), you’re hard blocked during setup if there’s no internet.
The Catch with “Local-Only” Use
After setup, some cameras can record locally (to SD card), but you’ll still need internet to:
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Access camera feeds via app
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Sync time for accurate event timestamps
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Add new devices or reconfigure WiFi
Why is an internet connection required?
It’s actually designed to provide a better user experience and enhanced device security:
- Device Security & Anti-Theft Protection
Connecting to the internet allows the camera to be registered and securely bound to your personal account, preventing unauthorized access or misuse by others. This is a critical measure to protect your privacy and ensure device safety.
- Automatic Time Sync for Accurate Event Logging
Through the cloud, the camera can automatically synchronize its time—even after power outages—ensuring all event timestamps remain accurate. This is essential for reliable video playback, incident tracking, and evidence collection.
- Firmware Updates for Security and Performance
With internet access, the system can push the latest firmware updates to your device, fixing potential vulnerabilities, improving stability, and even adding new features—keeping your camera secure and up to date.
- Remote Viewing & Real-Time Alerts—Much More Efficient Than Local Access
Once the initial setup is complete, you can access live video and receive motion alerts from anywhere in the world, without needing to return to the physical site. This is especially valuable for job site security, remote monitoring, or vacation home protection.