Which installation?
camera.ui has one server that does the work, and apps (desktop, mobile, browser) that view it. You install the server once, and everything else just connects to it.
The best way to install depends mostly on which platform you'll run it on.
The quick answer
- macOS or Windows → the desktop app (recommended). A one-click install that runs the server and the viewer together, suitable for continuous 24/7 operation.
- Linux → Docker (or Proxmox if you run it). This is the recommended way to run a dedicated Linux server, with GPU acceleration.
- Just want to watch on your phone? → the mobile apps. You'll still need a server running somewhere.
The desktop app is both the simplest way to get started and a fully capable always-on server.
Choose a method
| Method | Runs on | Recommended for |
|---|---|---|
| Desktop app | macOS, Windows, Linux | macOS & Windows. The easiest way; server + viewer in one |
| Docker | Linux (x86-64 / arm64) | Linux servers, mini-PCs, NAS, and homelabs, with GPU acceleration |
| Proxmox | Proxmox VE | Homelabs already running Proxmox |
| Linux (bare-metal) | Linux | A Linux box without Docker |
| Mobile apps | iOS, Android | Watching on the go (connects to your server) |
Known-good hardware
For always-on recording, a small Intel N100 mini-PC (with Docker) or an Apple Silicon Mac (with the desktop app) are both well-suited as low-power servers. See System requirements.
A few notes
- One server is enough. The desktop app, the mobile apps, and a browser are all viewers of the same server. Install the server once, then connect from anywhere with remote access.
- The desktop app can also be just a viewer. If you already run a server elsewhere, install the desktop app in Viewer mode to watch it. See Desktop app.