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UniFi Protect - Adopt devices

To use Protect cameras and other devices, you need to adopt them to the UniFi Protect application. This article explains how Protect device adoption works and helps troubleshoot issues that may arise.

For more information about device adoption, see UniFi - Device adoption.

Pre-adoption requirements

Before adopting your UniFi Protect device(s), make sure they are:

Note: Wired Protect cameras use Power over Ethernet (PoE), so you will need either a PoE switch or PoE adapter to power them. Check the Quick Start Guide to verify your Protect camera’s power requirements.

Protect device adoption methods

You can adopt a new device using the Protect mobile app or via the web application.

Adopt a UniFi Protect device with the mobile app

  1. If adopting a wired device, make sure your UniFi OS Console and device are on the same network (e.g., connected to the same switch).
  2. If adopting a wireless device, make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your mobile device and that it is within 1.5 m / 5 ft of the Protect device you are trying to adopt.
  3. Open the UniFi Protect app and tap Add when the device pop-up appears.
    1. If this prompt doesn’t appear, tap on the ellipse icon in the upper-right corner of the Cameras page and select Add Elements.

      Note: If no devices are discovered, a help wizard will launch and walk you through troubleshooting steps for the device.


  1. Name your device and tap Next. You will be redirected to the home screen, which will now display your new device.



Adopt a UniFi Protect device with the Protect web application

Note: Wireless cameras like the G3 Instant and G4 Doorbell are adopted with the Protect mobile app.

    1. Make sure your UniFi OS Console and device are on the same network (e.g., connected to the same switch).
    2. Access the Protect web application at or via your UniFi OS Console's IP address. 
      1. For more information on how to access the Protect web application, see UniFi Protect - Getting started.
    3. Open the Devices page, wait for the device adoption prompt to appear, and click Add.
        1. If the prompt doesn't appear, click Add devices to adopt device(s) manually.


      1. If you still don't see the device(s) you wish to add, click Find More Devices in the bottom-left corner of the Devices page and follow the help wizard's instructions.
        1. If the device you wish to adopt is associated with a different Protect Application, go to the troubleshooting section below.



  1. Wait for the new device(s) to finish the adoption and update process, signified by the following:
      1. A blue circle indicates it is currently being adopted and updated. This may take a few minutes to complete.


    1. A green circle and an Online status indicate a successful device adoption.


Troubleshooting Protect device adoption issues

The Protect device doesn't appear for adoption

  1. Verify that the device is receiving sufficient power:
    1. If you are using a PoE adapter to power the device, confirm that the cables are securely plugged into the correct ports and that the lights on the adapter are lit (if applicable).
    2. If you are using a PoE switch, verify its output is sufficient to power the Protect device and that the switch’s PoE standard is compatible with that of the device (for instance, the G4 PTZ requires PoE++, not PoE or PoE+).
    3. If you are using a charger included with a wireless device, first try using the charger with another outlet. If the device still isn’t receiving power, inspect the charger’s wire for tears or other issues. If you see either, request a return.
    4. If none of these troubleshooting steps help, try using different ports, another set of cables, or a different outlet to eliminate the possibility of a faulty cable or power source.

      Note: For more information on your Protect device’s power requirements, check its product page in the Ubiquiti Store.

  2. Update your Protect application and UniFi OS Console to the latest version.
    1. For more information on how to update Protect and your Console, see UniFi Protect - Use UniFi Protect.

Note: If you are using a UCK G2 Plus with older firmware, you may need to perform a manual upgrade via the device's management interface.


The device is associated with a different Protect application

If your device is “associated with a different Protect application”, it means it is being managed by a different UniFi OS Console. The device LED light should be solid blue instead of solid white.

To resolve this, factory reset the Protect device and readopt it to the desired Protect application:

  1. Press and hold the device’s Reset button for 10 seconds.
  2. Release the Reset button and ensure that the device’s LED turns off. If not, try holding down the Reset button again.
  3. Wait for the device’s LED light to show steady white, then follow the normal adoption process.

If you have access to the previous UniFi OS Console that this Protect device was used with, you can adopt it without a factory reset using its device password.

To adopt the device using its original device password:

  1. Log in to the previous UniFi OS Console.
  2. Open the UniFi Protect application, go to Settings > General > Advanced, locate the device’s password, then write it down.


  3. Log in to the new UniFi OS Console, open Protect, and click Add Devices in the UniFi Devices tab.


  4. Click Learn more in the notification stating that the device is associated with a different UniFi OS Console.


  5. Enter the device’s password from the old UniFi OS Console and click Adopt.



The adoption process fails or stalls

  1. Reboot the Protect device and the UniFi OS Console; or
  2. Factory-reset the Protect device.

Advanced adoption troubleshooting

Adopt a Protect device manually via its IP address

If the device doesn't appear for adoption and the steps above don’t help, try the following:

  1. Use the Ubiquiti WiFiman app to discover the Protect device and the UniFi OS Console, then write down their IP addresses.
  2. Type the Protect device's IP address into your browser to access it locally (Chrome is recommended). A warning may appear, but you can proceed to the address safely.
  3. At the login screen, use ubnt/ubnt or root/ubnt as the credentials.
    1. If this doesn't work, you may need to reset the device and try again.


  1. Click Skip to skip setup, then select the Configure tab.
  2. Enter the IP address of the UniFi OS Console in the UniFi Protect server field (or the UniFi Video server field, depending on your firmware version) and click Save Changes.


  3. Open the Devices page in the UniFi Protect application to see if it appears. If it is ready to adopt, click Add Devices.


Check your network configuration

If the manual adoption process doesn’t work, it’s possible that your network layout or settings may be disrupting the adoption process.

For more information about troubleshooting network-specific adoption issues, see UniFi Network - Advanced adoption troubleshooting.

Related articles

UniFi Protect - Manage devices
UniFi Protect - Manage motion detection and privacy zones
UniFi Protect - View camera streams and manage recordings
Using Ubiquiti WiFiman

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