Modern video surveillance systems are built on the P2P principle, allowing you to connect to the device from anywhere in the world without complex router configuration.
The key element in this chain is a unique identifier, often referred to as ID, UID or serial number.
It is this set of characters that connects the physical device to the manufacturer's cloud server, ensuring secure transmission of the video stream to your smartphone.
Without knowing this code adding IP cameras into the mobile application becomes impossible, since the system simply will not be able to find your device on the global network.
Where is the identifier physically located on the device?
The first and most obvious way to find the information you need is to visually inspect the device itself. Electronics manufacturers such as Hikvision, TP-Link or Xiaomi, usually place a sticker with technical information on the bottom of the case.
If the camera has a rotating mechanism or is mounted on a bracket, the label may be located on the side or even under the removable cover where the memory card slot is located.
On the factory sticker you are interested in the fields UID, Serial No, S/N or simply ID. Often next to the text designation is located QR code, which contains the same information in machine-readable format.
In some outdoor camera models where water resistance is important, the sticker may be protected by a transparent layer or located on the end of the cable coming out of the housing.
β οΈ Caution: If the sticker is worn off or damaged by moisture, do not attempt to remove it with harsh chemicals, as this may damage the plastic or optics.
It's important to understand the difference between a MAC address and a UID. Although they may look similar (a string of letters and numbers), adding a device to a P2P app requires a unique device identifier, not a network address.
ID search via mobile app and scanning
Modern video surveillance applications such as Tuya Smart, V380 Pro or Xiaomi HomeWe've simplified the connection process as much as possible. You don't have to manually enter long codes if you have access to a QR code.
When you click the "Add Device" button, the app will prompt you to scan the code. The smartphone's camera will read the pattern and automatically add it. UID in the input field.
If the sticker on the camera is damaged, but the device was already connected to the router, you can find its ID within the app itself. To do this, go to the settings of the already added camera.
The "About Device" or "Information" menu often displays the full serial number and MAC address. Make a note of this information, as it may be needed for technical support or reconfiguration.
Some apps allow you to copy the UID to the clipboard by tapping it multiple times or selecting the appropriate option from the menu. This is convenient if you need to send data to another user.
Determining UID via web interface and CMS program
If physical access to the sticker is restricted and the camera is already connected to the local network, information can be retrieved through software. To do this, you'll need a computer on the same network as the camera.
Use a special utility to search for IP cameras, for example, ConfigTool from Hikvision or universal ONVIF Device ManagerThese programs scan the network and find all active video surveillance devices.
Once you find the camera in the list, select it and go to Properties. The window that opens will display detailed technical information, including Device ID, firmware version and current IP address.
You can also access the camera's web interface. Enter the device's IP address in the browser's address bar and log in. The "System" or "Network" section often contains information about the P2P status and UID.
| Search method | Necessary equipment | Complexity | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sticker on the body | Camera only | Low | 100% |
| Mobile application | Smartphone, working camera | Low | 100% |
| ConfigTool program | PC, router, cable | Average | 100% |
| Telnet/SSH commands | PC, administration skills | High | 100% |
Using specialized software is the most reliable method if the sticker is lost, but the device is working properly on the network.
Using the Command Prompt and Telnet for Advanced Users
For professionals and enthusiasts, there's a way to obtain the ID via the command line if the camera supports remote control protocols. This requires the device to be connected to the PC via a cable or Wi-Fi.
First, you need to find the camera's IP address through the router. Then, open the Windows command prompt and enter the command telnet camera IP addressIf Telnet is not enabled, you need to enable it in Windows Features.
After entering your login and password (often this is admin/admin or root/root) you will gain access to the device console. Depending on the manufacturer, the UID may be stored in different environment variables.
Try running the command cat /etc/uid or echo $UID. In some Linux-based systems, such as Hi3518, the identifier can be found in the configuration files.
login: rootpassword: ****
cat /productinfo/uid
UID: 87654321ABCDEF
β οΈ Warning: Interfering with the camera's file system via Telnet may result in resetting the settings or impairing the operation of the device if system files are modified.
What to do if Telnet is disabled?
On many modern cameras, the Telnet port is closed by default for security reasons. You can try enabling it through a hidden menu in the web interface or using special activation utilities, but this requires precise knowledge of the processor model.
This method is only suitable for advanced users who understand the structure of Linux file systems.
Decoding UID formats and other problems
Identifiers may look different depending on the brand. Understanding the format helps distinguish a UID from a MAC address or password.
- πΉ Standard format: Typically it is 12-16 characters long, containing numbers and capital Latin letters (for example,
ABC12345XYZ987). - πΉ Format with prefix: Some manufacturers add a prefix to indicate the type of device, for example
CAM-123456. - πΉ Numeric ID: Older systems may use a purely numeric identifier, similar to a phone number.
A common problem is confusion between letters. O (O) and a number 0 (zero), as well as the letter I (ouch) and a number 1 (one). In most cases, the UID uses only numbers and letters, excluding similar symbols, but it's best to double-check visually.
If you entered the code but the camera is not found, check if the device is connected to electricity. The camera must be lit or flashing its indicator so that the server can detect it by ID.
Also, make sure the camera is connected to the internet. The "Online" status in the search app means the server is seeing the device by its UID.
What to do if the sticker is lost and the camera doesn't work
The most difficult situation occurs when the sticker has been removed, the camera has been reset to factory settings, and is not connected to the network. In this case, software methods will not work, as the device does not have an IP address.
The only way out is to find the original packaging. On the box from IP cameras The sticker with UID and QR code is always duplicated.
If the box is also lost, try to find the receipt or invoice, which may contain the serial number. With this information, you can contact the manufacturer's technical support.
In some cases, resetting the settings with the button helps ResetAfter rebooting, some camera models temporarily create a Wi-Fi access point with a name containing part of the UID or MAC address.
βοΈ Check before contacting the service
If all else fails and the device is not detected by any utilities on the local network, it may be necessary to reflash the firmware via the UART console, which is a complex engineering task.
Is it possible to change the UID of a CCTV camera?
In 99% of cases, changing the UID is impossible, as this number is factory-hardcoded into a protected area of ββthe chip's memory. This is a security measure to prevent an attacker from cloning the device. Only some specialized OEM cameras allow changing this parameter via console commands.
What is the difference between UID and MAC address?
A MAC address is a unique identifier for a network interface (Wi-Fi module or Ethernet port) required for operation on a local network. A UID (Unique Identifier) ββis a logical number associated with the manufacturer's cloud service for P2P connections. They may be the same for some brands, but technically they are different entities.
Why does the app say "UID not found" even though I entered it correctly?
Most likely, the camera isn't connected to the internet, or your router is blocking the connection to the cloud server. Check if the network indicator on the camera is lit, and make sure your router isn't configured to block external connections for this device.
Where can I find the UID for Xiaomi cameras?
At the cameras Xiaomi And Yi The UID is often called the "Mi Home Device ID" or simply shown as a QR code on the bottom. In the app Mi Home When attempting to add a device via QR code, the ID is automatically entered. It can also be found in the device profile's region settings.