Smart Security Camera SAFE by Swann App Manual iOS and Android English
Contents Getting Started Installing the SAFE by Swann App Creating a SAFE by Swann Account Pairing Your First Camera Pairing Additional Cameras Configuring Camera Date and Time Camera Placement 5 6 7 8 9 10 About the App Interface The Camera Dashboard The Camera Dashboard: Layout The Live View Screen The Activity Screen The Playback Screen The Menu The Profile Screen The Cameras Screen The Cameras Screen: Settings Tab The Cameras Screen: Subscriptions Tab The Cameras Screen: About Tab 12
Camera Maintenance Charging the Camera Changing the Wi-Fi Network on the Camera Updating the Camera Firmware Restarting the Camera Turning Off the Camera Factory Resetting the Camera 28 29 32 35 36 37 Tips & FAQs What Do the Different LED Colors Mean? Maximizing Battery Performance Troubleshooting Frequently Asked Questions Battery Charging FAQ Account FAQ Live & Playback Video FAQ Activity Timeline & Motion Events FAQ Connectivity FAQ Firmware Upgrade FAQ 39 40 41 44 44 45 47 48 50 51
Getting Started
Installing the SAFE by Swann App iOS Android If you have an Apple iPhone, download the latest version of the SAFE by Swann app from the Apple App Store. If you have an Android smartphone, download the latest version of the SAFE by Swann app from Google Play (tap Apps > Play Store). SAFE by Swann After installation completes, the SAFE by Swann app icon will appear on your smartphone‘s screen. Tap on the icon to start the app.
Creating a SAFE by Swann Account At the bottom of the screen, tap Don’t have an account? Sign Up. Enter your name, email address, and a password for your new account. To enter your location, tap Location, type in the name of your city in the search bar, then select the desired city from the search results. Read the “SAFE by Swann Terms and Conditions”, then tap Sign Up to accept the terms and conditions and create your account. Check your email inbox for a verification email from SAFE by Swann.
Pairing Your First Camera Sign in to your account by entering your login information. If you want the app to remember your login credentials and sign in automatically the next time it is started, select the Remember Me checkbox before you tap Sign In. Tap the Pair Device button. Follow the prompts to connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network (TIP For longer range connectivity, use a 2.4GHz network) and register it to your account. Only one camera can be paired at a time.
Pairing Additional Cameras From the dashboard, tap the drawer icon to open the menu. Tap Pair Camera. Follow the prompts to connect the camera to your Wi-Fi network (TIP For longer range connectivity, use a 2.4GHz network) and register it to your account. Only one camera can be paired at a time. Repeat the above pairing process for every new camera you want to add to your account. Once the pairing process is finished, the camera will appear on the dashboard.
Configuring Camera Date and Time From the dashboard, tap the drawer icon to open the menu. Tap Camera Settings. Tap your camera to access the settings. Scroll down to Time At Camera Location, and tap the Sync to Phone Time button. Your camera will sync its timezone, date and time to the clock on your smartphone. Tap the left arrow at the top left corner to return to the dashboard. For more information about the other available camera settings, see "The Cameras Screen: Settings Tab" on page 20.
Camera Placement Face away from direct sunlight to prevent false motion sensor triggering and to protect camera lens Tap the gear icon and go to the About tab to view the camera's Wi-Fi connection signal strength. Ideal height 7 - 8 ft / 2.1 -2.4 m Optimum approach path Check the performance of the live video stream. It should play smoothly without interruption.
About the App Interface
The Camera Dashboard 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 Open the menu where you can edit your account profile, manage camera settings, pair a camera, review camera activity, and more. See "The Menu" on page 17 for more information. 2 Rearrange the layout of camera tiles on the dashboard according to your preferences. See "The Camera Dashboard: Layout" on page 13. 3 Tap the "play" icon to start streaming live video from the camera on the Live View screen.
The Camera Dashboard: Layout 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 You can swap spots between camera tiles. Simply tap and hold a camera tile then drag it over the top of another camera tile and release when the tiles have swapped. 2 Tap to resize to a small tile. 3 Tap to resize to a large tile. Only a single large camera tile can be displayed on a page. If there is not enough room, the camera tile will be placed on a new page. Additional pages will be deleted automatically when no camera tiles are present.
The Live View Screen 1 2 3 4 1 End the camera’s live video stream and return to the dashboard. 2 Quickly access and adjust the camera's settings such as the name, image quality, motion sensor sensitivity, and motion sensor sleep interval. To learn more about the camera settings available, see "The Cameras Screen: Settings Tab" on page 20. 3 4 Indicates the status of the live stream connection. • Grey: The live video is loading. • Blue: The live video is streaming. The video screen.
The Activity Screen 1 2 3 1 Go back to the previous screen. 2 Tap the left or right arrow to view the previous or following day’s activity timeline. 3 The timeline of motion events captured by the cameras registered to your SAFE by Swann account. The current day’s activity timeline is displayed by default. The image thumbnail lets you see a quick snapshot of the video related to the motion event. Tap on a motion event to play the video clip on the Playback screen.
The Playback Screen 2 1 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 Go back to the Activity screen. 2 The camera name and the time and date of when the motion event was recorded. 3 Delete the video recording of the motion event from your SAFE by Swann account. Once deleted, the motion event will also no longer be displayed in the activity timeline. 4 The video screen. Turn your smartphone sideways to watch the video in landscape view. 5 Rewind the video back to the beginning. 6 Rewind the video by 5 seconds.
The Menu 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 Close the menu. 2 Edit your profile picture and name, or change your SAFE by Swann account password. See "The Profile Screen" on page 18 for more information. 3 View the list of cameras associated with your SAFE by Swann account and manage camera settings including cloud subscription plans. See "The Cameras Screen" on page 19 for more information. 4 Configure Wi-Fi network connection and register a camera to your SAFE by Swann account.
The Profile Screen 1 2 3 4 1 Shows your profile picture. Tap the + button to set up or edit your profile picture. 2 Tap to edit your name. 3 Shows the email address registered with your account. 4 Tap to change your account login password. To save your new password, tap the Save button at the bottom of the screen. Once the Save button is greyed out, the new password has taken effect. You must use your new password the next time you sign in. If you want to change the password again (i.e.
The Cameras Screen 1 1 Lists all of the cameras that are registered to your account. Tap on the camera name to manage the camera's settings and cloud subscription, as well as to check the hardware information such as firmware version, wireless connection strength, and battery level.
The Cameras Screen: Settings Tab 1 2 3 1 Tap to change the name of the camera. 2 Shows the Wi-Fi network that the camera is connected to. 3 Drag the slider left or right to change the resolution of the camera’s live video stream between LOW (480p), MED (720p), and HIGH (1080p). TIP If the live video is slow to load or frequently stops mid-stream, you may have a slow or unstable connection to the internet—try using the LOW setting for faster loading times and smoother video streaming.
The Cameras Screen: Settings Tab 4 5 4 5 Drag the slider left or right to adjust the sensitivity of the camera’s motion sensor. • OFF: The motion sensor is disabled and will not detect motion activity. Use this setting to conserve the camera's battery life when activity monitoring is not needed. For example, when the camera is being charged or when positioning the camera during installation, you can turn off the motion sensor. You can still start live video from the camera at any time.
The Cameras Screen: Settings Tab 6 7 8 6 Shows the current timezone, date and time of the camera. If the information is not correct, tap the Sync to Phone Time button to enable the camera to automatically sync its timezone, date and time to the clock on your smartphone. 7 If the video is flickering, make sure the power frequency is set correctly for your locale. For example, 50HZ for Australia and UK or 60HZ for USA and Canada.
The Cameras Screen: Settings Tab 9 9 In some cases, you might need to unpair your camera. For example, if you want to use your camera with a different SAFE by Swann account or give away your camera to a family member, you need to unpair first. Unpairing will completely delete the camera from your SAFE by Swann account and you'll no longer be able to access the camera's motion activity clips.
The Cameras Screen: Subscriptions Tab 1 1 Displays the status of the camera’s cloud storage plan. Tap the Update Plan button to manage or upgrade the camera's current cloud plan. TIP Every camera comes with free basic cloud storage, and you can easily upgrade to a subscription plan at any time. Subscribing to a cloud plan will enable motion event videos from the camera to be saved in your account for a longer term, providing additional time for you to access and download videos later on.
The Cameras Screen: About Tab 1 2 3 4 1 Displays information about the camera’s firmware version. When a new version of the firmware is available, you’ll be see the “PLUG-IN PLOWER TO UPDATE SOFTWARE” message. To update the camera, connect it to power then return to this screen and tap the Update Firmware button that is displayed. By upgrading the firmware, you will improve the performance of the camera and get access to the latest features. 2 Displays the camera’s name.
The Cameras Screen: About Tab 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 5 Displays the camera’s serial number. 6 Displays the camera's connection state. 7 Displays the strength of the Wi-Fi signal the camera is receiving. In general, the closer the camera is to your router/access point, the stronger the signal strength (higher % percentage), and the more reliable and faster the wireless connection between the camera and your router/access point. 8 Displays the camera's IP address on your wireless network.
Camera Maintenance
Charging the Camera Connect the small end (micro-USB) of the supplied charging cable to the camera. Connect the other end to the USB port of a USB power adapter. You will receive a push notification about the camera being plugged in for charging, and another push notification when the camera is fully charged. You can also check the battery level at any time using the app.
Changing the Wi-Fi Network on the Camera Press and hold for 5 seconds to enter pairing mode To begin, press and hold the Pair button on the back of your camera for 5 seconds. Your camera goes into pairing mode and activates its temporary Wi-Fi network. In pairing mode, the camera's LED will blink blue slowly. Note: The camera's pairing mode times out in 3 minutes.
Changing the Wi-Fi Network on the Camera As you've already enabled pairing mode on your camera earlier (make sure that the LED is blinking blue slowly), simply tap Next. If you haven't done so, enable pairing mode on your camera now, then tap Next. The Wi-Fi network shown is the network your smartphone is currently using and will be the one your camera joins. If this is not the preferred network, tap and follow the on-screen instructions to choose another Wi-Fi network.
Changing the Wi-Fi Network on the Camera Give your camera a few moments to connect to your Wi-Fi network. Tap Name Camera once the setup is complete. If the setup was not successful, please repeat the process as outlined from the beginning. Please follow the instructions carefully and be sure not to skip any of the steps. To finish, give your camera a name (you can also select from a list of common camera locations around the home), then tap Done. Your camera is now connected to the new Wi-Fi network.
Updating the Camera Firmware When a firmware update is available for your camera, the camera tile on the dashboard will display "UPDATE AVAILABLE". For the best experience, always keep your camera current with the latest firmware version. Before you can update your camera, you need to plug it into a USB power source such as your smartphone charger. After your camera is plugged into a USB power source, tap the "Play" icon on the camera tile to connect to the camera and start live video.
Updating the Camera Firmware Tap the ABOUT tab. Depending on your USB power source, it may take up to 2 minutes for the app to detect that your camera is plugged into power before displaying the Update Firmware button. If, after a few minutes, the Update Firmware button doesn't appear, please check that your camera is securely plugged into the USB power source (USB connector may be loose). Then start live video from the camera again and return to this screen.
Updating the Camera Firmware Shortly, you will also receive a push notification from the app informing you that the firmware upgrade process has started on your camera. You can return to the dashboard or close the app while the upgrade is in progress—this can take up to 15 minutes depending on the size of the firmware file and your internet connection speed. When the firmware update process is finished, you will receive another push notification from the app.
Restarting the Camera If you are having difficulties with your camera, try restarting it. A simple restart can often fix connectivity issues quickly. To restart your camera, press the Reset button using a small, narrow object, such as a paper clip or a sim ejector tool, then release. Wait for the camera to initialize and connect to the cloud again (may take several minutes), then open the app to check on your camera.
Turning Off the Camera Press and hold for 30 seconds You can turn off the camera at any time. We recommended doing this first, if you're planning to take it to some other place (for example, to another residence). This will help protect the integrity of the camera data and system by ensuring it doesn't remain operating in the background unnecessarily while in a connectionless state during transportation. To turn off the camera, simply press and hold the Pair button for 30 seconds.
Factory Resetting the Camera Factory resetting your camera is usually only necessary for troubleshooting. It isn’t something to do lightly as it will format the internal memory, wipe the current Wi-Fi information, and return all the camera settings to defaults. If you need to factory reset your camera, here's how to do it: 1. Press and hold the Reset and Pair buttons simultaneously. 2. Let go of the Reset button and continue holding the Pair button for about 12 seconds until the camera’s LED turns blue. 3.
Tips & FAQs
What Do the Different LED Colors Mean? Slow blinking blue Pairing mode Tip: To enter pairing mode, press the Pair button on the back of the camera for 5 seconds until the LED turns blue. Blinking purple Low battery Tip: The app will send push notifications when the camera begins to run low on battery. You can check the battery level at any time using the app.
Maximizing Battery Performance The length of time your camera can operate on a full charge depends on a myriad of factors, such as how frequently you use it for live video streaming, how frequently motion activity is detected, the wireless connection quality, as well as the local environmental conditions. Here are some simple and practical tips to get more battery life out of your camera: • Make sure your camera’s firmware is the latest version.
Troubleshooting I forgot my account password. How do I reset it? Tap the “Forgot Password” link on the Sign In screen of the SAFE by Swann app and submit the email address that you used to create your SAFE by Swann account. You'll shortly receive an email with instructions on how to reset your account password. I am unable to find and connect to my camera’s Wi-Fi network (SwannCam_XX_XX) during pairing. What should I do? • If the "SwannCam_XX_XX" network is not found, try refreshing the network list.
Troubleshooting The app is just showing "Please wait..." on the camera tile after I've finished pairing my camera. Once you have finished the camera pairing process, please wait a moment for your camera to sync initial settings and configuration to the cloud server. If, after 5 minutes of completing the pairing setup, the camera tile still displays "Please wait..." and live video doesn't load when you tap the camera tile, try closing the app completely and then restarting it.
Troubleshooting I can't access my camera. The app is showing my camera as “Offline”? This could be due to one of the following reasons: • Your camera is not currently operational because it is completely flat (out of battery) or it has been turned off manually. • There is a temporary connectivity issue with your network which is causing your camera to be unreachable. Try connecting to your Wi-Fi network with another device and check if it can access the internet.
Frequently Asked Questions Battery Charging FAQ How do I know when to charge my camera? For help deciding when to charge your camera: • Your camera’s battery level can be viewed within the app at any time. • Your camera’s LED indicator will start blinking purple when it begins to run low on battery. • When the camera's battery level is at 20%, you’ll receive a “Low in battery” push notification. • When the camera's battery level is at 10%, you’ll receive a “Very low in battery” push notification.
Frequently Asked Questions Account FAQ Can I access my SAFE by Swann account from another smartphone? Yes, you are able sign into your SAFE by Swann account on any supported smartphone. As long as you install the SAFE by Swann app on the new device and it is supported by our app you'll be able to sign in and view your cameras as well as playback motion events. Note: Make sure to sign out of the app before switching back to your primary smartphone device.
Frequently Asked Questions Account FAQ How do I subscribe to a cloud plan? You can easily purchase a cloud subscription for your camera through the app: 1. From the dashboard, tap the drawer icon to open the menu. 2. Tap Camera Settings. 3. Tap the name of the camera that you want to purchase a cloud subscription for. 4. Tap the Subscriptions tab. 5. Tap the Update Plan button. 6. Follow the on-screen instructions to choose the cloud subscription plan for your camera and enter your payment information.
Frequently Asked Questions Live & Playback Video FAQ How do I watch videos in full screen? Turn your smartphone sideways. Make sure your smartphone’s screen orientation is set to auto-rotate or unlocked.
Frequently Asked Questions Activity Timeline & Motion Events FAQ How far can I go back in the activity timeline to view motion events captured by my camera? This will depend on whether your camera is on a free or subscription cloud storage plan. How do I delete motion events from the activity timeline? Motion events in the activity timeline will eventually be deleted; when this happens is based on your camera's cloud storage plan.
Frequently Asked Questions Activity Timeline & Motion Events FAQ How long is a motion event video clip? Motion event video clips can be from 10 seconds up to a minute (in 10 second increments) long. The duration of each event video will vary based on how long the activity the camera was picking up went on for. After initial recording is started, the camera checks again for motion at the very end of every 10 second interval, and if motion is detected, the recording will extend for another 10 seconds.
Frequently Asked Questions Connectivity FAQ Can I use my camera without an internet connection? No, your camera requires a Wi-Fi network connection with internet access to stream live video to your smartphone and upload motion event videos to the cloud. Does the camera work on the 5 GHz Wi-Fi network band? Your camera can connect to either the 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz Wi-Fi network band. Set up your camera on whichever signal is strongest at the final installation location. As a general rule, the 2.
Frequently Asked Questions Firmware Upgrade FAQ How do I find out if my camera has the latest firmware? To determine if your camera has the latest firmware, start live video from your camera, tap the gear icon at the top right, then go to the camera's About tab and view the firmware information shown. • If “DEVICE UP-TO-DATE” is shown, this means your camera currently has the most current firmware installed.
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