Phone app setup
How to view your Lorex cameras on your phone
Lorex has several apps, each tied to a product line. Pick the right one, scan the recorder's device ID, and you can watch live and recorded video anywhere.
VuePoint
The most common Lorex problem is using the wrong app. Lorex runs separate app ecosystems for separate product lines, and a recorder only works with its own. All are published by Lorex on the App Store and Google Play.
| App | Works with |
|---|---|
| Lorex Connect | Lorex's newest systems |
| Lorex Classic | Previously called the Lorex App; the Lorex Fusion product line |
| Lorex Pro | Commercial systems built around N884-series recorders |
| Lorex Cloud | Older, select Lorex recorders and HD Active Deterrence systems |
The quick-start guide in the box, or the recorder's model page on lorex.com, names the right app. Lorex's apps page also has a short quiz that recommends one.
What you need before you start
- The recorder connected to your router with internet access.
- The recorder's password, set during first-time setup on the monitor. It's separate from your Lorex account password.
- The device ID QR code. On most Lorex recorders it's on a sticker on the unit; on many models it is also shown in the recorder's network or system information screen.
- The correct app from the table above, and a Lorex account created in it.
Add your Lorex recorder by QR code
- 1
Install the right app and sign in
Download the app that matches your system and create or sign in to your Lorex account.
- 2
Start adding a device
Tap + or Add Device. The exact wording depends on which Lorex app and version you have.
- 3
Scan the device ID
Scan the QR code on the recorder sticker or the recorder's on-screen info page. If it won't scan, type the device ID manually.
- 4
Enter the recorder password
Enter the password you set on the recorder. Name the system after the property.
- 5
Check from outside the building
Switch your phone to cellular data and open live view to confirm remote access works, then test playback.
The alternative: IP address or DDNS
Some Lorex recorders can be reached by IP address or DDNS hostname, but that requires port forwarding on your router and exposes the recorder to the internet. The device ID route avoids that. If you need it anyway, see how to set up port forwarding for a camera recorder.
Troubleshooting
- Recorder offline. Confirm the recorder's network status shows connected, restart the router and recorder, and check that the Ethernet cable goes to the router, not a camera port.
- Wrong password lockout. Recorders lock logins for a while after repeated failures. Wait, then use the correct recorder password. Lorex support handles forgotten recorder passwords.
- Device not found. You may be in the wrong app for that product line. Check the table above.
- Firmware too old. Update recorder firmware (many Lorex recorders update from the app or the recorder menu) before blaming the app.
VuePoint Secure can add live monitoring to the same Lorex cameras with an on-site edge device that doesn't need port forwarding.
Common questions
- My old Lorex app stopped working. What happened?
- Lorex renamed the original Lorex App to Lorex Classic and launched Lorex Connect for newer systems. Install the app that matches your recorder.
- Do I need a Lorex cloud subscription to view cameras?
- No. Live view and playback from the recorder's hard drive don't require a subscription. Lorex sells optional cloud plans for extra features.
- Can I use one app for two different Lorex systems?
- Only if both belong to the same app ecosystem. Otherwise you'll need both apps.
Stuck getting your Lorex system online?
Tell us the recorder model and what the app is showing. We'll tell you what we'd check next.