General questions about viewing Tapo Cameras via RTSP/ONVIF protocols

Q1: Which Tapo cameras support RTSP and ONVIF protocols?

A: Most Tapo cameras, except for battery-powered models, support standard RTSP and ONVIF protocols (ONVIF Profile S), ensuring compatibility with various NVR and NAS systems.

For battery-operated cameras and doorbells, only select models—specifically the Tapo D235, D225, and TD25—support RTSP streaming when connected via a hardwired setup with a jumper cable and the "always-on mode" activated. Other models, such as the Tapo C410, C420, C425, and D230, do not support RTSP streaming due to limitations in their battery and electronic design.

Q2: Can I use Tapo Care, SD card, and RTSP/ONVIF for streaming or video recordings at the same time?

A: Due to the limited hardware performance of the camera itself, Tapo Care, SD card, and NVR/NAS/ONVIF software cannot be used simultaneously to watch the live view or record videos. You can only choose two of them at the same time.

For example, if you are already using an SD card and Tapo Care for recording, the NVR/NAS/ONVIF software recording will be disabled automatically.

To restart the recording on the NVR/NAS/ONVIF software, it's recommended that the SD card be removed from the camera.

Note: If you are using an SD card and Tapo Care to record, the camera will store the detection video clips on it simultaneously. Not all third-party platforms support recording videos. For example, VLC only supports streaming.

Q3: What are the common clients for RTSP and ONVIF?

A: RTSP: VLC, PotPlayer, and most ONVIF clients (including NVRs and NAS) come with an embedded RTSP player

ONVIF: iSpy, Agent DVR, Blue Iris, ONVIF Device Manager, TinyCam Monitor, Scrypted, NVR and NAS

Q4: What kind of ONVIF Profile does Tapo Camera support?

A: ONVIF Profile S.

Q5: How do you create or change the camera account on the Tapo app?

A: You may refer to How to manage the camera account on the Tapo app

Q6: What ports are used by the Tapo camera for RTSP/ONVIF?

A: ONVIF Service Port: 2020 and RTSP Service Port: 554

Q7: What is the URL of the RTSP live stream for the Tapo cameras?

A: For high quality stream1: rtsp://IP Address/stream1

For low quality stream2: rtsp:// IP Address/stream2

In some software, we need to enter the full URL to access the live stream, as shown below.

For high quality stream1: rtsp://admin:password@IP address:554/stream1

For low quality stream2: rtsp://admin:password@IP address:554/stream2

Q8: When using RTSP or ONVIF, why is Two-Way audio not working on third-party platforms?

A: The ONVIF standard includes multiple profiles, and the Tapo Camera only supports Profile S. This profile does not include 2-way audio. Profile S only covers basic functionalities such as video/audio streaming, network configuration, event handling, and PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) control.

Q9: How can I watch the live stream of the Tapo camera on third-party platforms remotely from another network?

A: You can set up a VPN network or use your router's port forwarding feature to allow external devices to access the public IP and reach the camera. However, please note that the RTSP/ONVIF protocols are not highly secure, so it is not advisable to expose the camera to a public IP via port forwarding for long periods. A secure, encrypted VPN network is recommended.

The RTSP URL when using port forwarding:

High quality: rtsp://network WAN IP:External Port/stream1

Low quality: rtsp://network WAN IP:External Port/stream2

The External Port is the one you set on your router’s port forwarding settings.

Q10: Why can't I view the live stream of the Tapo camera on third-party platforms from the external network, even though I set up port forwarding?

A: 1) Make sure that the camera’s RTSP stream is normal in the local network. If not, refer to Q13. If local network access is normal but external network access fails, it is usually related to port forwarding settings or the network environment.

2) Make sure you entered the correct WAN IP address in the RTSP URL.

If you are not sure how to check, it is recommended that you contact Router support or your ISP.

3) Check the port forwarding settings in the router.

If you need to set up port forwarding for different cameras, you need to set different External Ports for them, and the Internal Port can be 554.

It is possible that the External Port you selected has been occupied, causing streaming failure. You can also try using a different External Port.

4) Check the firewall settings.

5) If the problem persists, it is recommended to contact router support to check the port forwarding settings and performance.

Q11: What should I do if the ONVIF clients can’t find the Tapo camera?

A: 1) Ensure that the camera is connected to the same local network as the ONVIF client.

2) Use the ping command to check if you can reach the camera. If the ping fails, you may need to check your network setup.

3) Look for any settings that may cause isolation, such as VLAN or AP isolation, which could prevent the camera from communicating with the ONVIF client.

4) Based on the URL provided by the ONVIF client, try to add the camera manually.

Note: Profile S does not require devices to be discovered across different subnets. Tapo cameras can be discovered on the same subnet.

Q12: What if the ONVIF client successfully detects the Tapo Camera, but authentication fails?

A: 1) Ensure Tapo Camera is set up and Camera Account is enabled. If you are not sure how to create a camera account, please refer to How to manage the camera account on the Tapo app.

2) Make sure you have entered the correct Camera Account in ONVIF client.

Q13: What should I do if the RTSP client cannot open the Tapo Camera RTSP stream on the local network? For example, VLC shows an error message or keeps loading without displaying any video.

A: 1) Make sure the camera is online. Use the ping command to check if you can reach the camera. If the ping fails, you may need to check your network setup.

2) Check if the RTSP URL is correct, and try to enter the full URL. Refer to Q7.

3) Try to reset your Tapo Camera account and remove any special characters.

4) Turn off other devices that are accessing the stream, like phones or tablets.

5) Try to switch the RTSP URL from stream1 to stream2.

6) Restart the camera.

If the issue is still the same, contact TP-Link technical support and provide the information below for our support to look into further:

1. Model number and hardware version of your camera.

2. Detailed information about the ONVIF client and a screenshot of the error message

3. Troubleshooting results of the above steps.

Q14: What should I do if the ONVIF client can't receive detection notification or Pan & Tilt the Camera?

A: 1) Ensure all related functions in the Tapo APP are operational well.

2) Confirm that the ONVIF settings are correct.

Use alternative ONVIF clients to perform a comparison test. If issues persist across clients, the problem may lie with the camera.

If the issue is still the same, contact TP-Link technical support and provide the information below for our support to look into further:

1. Model number and hardware version of your camera.

2. Detailed information of the ONVIF client

3. Troubleshooting results of the above steps.

Q15: Why is the resolution of RTSP Stream 1 lower than the camera's maximum resolution?

A: For some models, like the C310, the resolution of Stream 1 (rtsp://IP Address/stream1) is determined by the video quality setting in the Tapo app. If you find that the resolution of Stream 1 is lower than the camera's maximum supported resolution, try changing the video quality setting to "Best Quality" in the Tapo app.

Q16: What should I do if there is no or very little sound when watching the live stream using RTSP/ONVIF?

A: If you find that there is no or very little sound when using RTSP/ONVIF to watch the live stream, please adjust the camera microphone settings in the Tapo app.